"I am the only hero among you!" laughed Herford. "How does it happen, Parkington, that you let me get away with the wound?" "When it comes to that," was the ready answer, "you are welcome to the honor,--if honor there be in letting a pirate stick you. I choose the whole hide rather than the hole." "Come, gentlemen, let us inspect the casualties," said Marbury, and led the way out to the rear. A dozen bodies lay on the grass and around the doorway--they had fallen in their tracks, proof of the deadly shooting of the defenders. Marbury turned them, one by one, with his foot, to make sure that they would buccaneer no more. The last one groaned, made a faint move to arise, and, then, seeing who prodded him, drew his dagger and plunged it into his heart. "Wise man!" said Marbury. "He saves himself a tiresome imprisonment and an awful death." On the other side of the house, there were both dead and wounded, the former, however, being much in the majority. Of the latter, two were maimed and helpless, and Marbury contented himself with directing the blacks to carry them into the nearest outhouse and give them drink. He would come presently, and see to their hurts. Another, blinded in both eyes by a bullet, was wandering around half crazed by the pain, and imploring some one to kill him. He had lost his dagger and was without weapon. Marbury looked at him a moment, considering--then, went to him. "Here is what you want," he said. "Make an end." The distracted wretch reached out wildly, seized the pistol, that Marbury put into his hand, and instantly sent the ball into his brain. "Dig a trench back of the park and bury them," Marbury directed, when they had viewed the last, and turned back to the house. And the blacks, straightway, began to do as they were commanded. "Here endeth the reading of the lesson!" commented Parkington. "And may the next one be forever postponed," added Plater. "Amen!" said the rest, speaking as one man. "It is a pity, now, the ladies were put to the bother of riding away," Parkington reflected. The others stared at him and were silent, except Herford, who gave a little, scornful laugh. "I think they would have enjoyed the outcome," Parkington went on; "and then, it would have given Captain Herford the opportunity to pose as a hero, _in ipso actu_." "Captain Herford can take care of himself--" he began. "As you have shown us, my dear Captain, as you have shown us!" said Parkington. At which Herford scowled, then passed it by with a laugh. They went into the house, and opened the shutters. Everything was calm and peaceful, as of yesterday. Save that the furniture was somewhat disarranged, no one would have imagined what a strenuous morning had been theirs. The table was spread for breakfast--the breakfast itself had been ready to serve. Marbury remembered that none of them had eaten, and it was now near noon. He turned to his guests.