In an instant the
fighting platform on the prow was become a raging, seething hell of
battle luridly illumined by the ruddy glow from the lights aboard the
Silver Heron. Foremost among those who had leapt down had been Lionel
and Sir John Killigrew. Foremost among those to receive them had been
Jasper Leigh, who had passed his sword through Lionel's body even as
Lionel's feet came to rest upon the deck, and before the battle was
joined.
A dozen others went down on either side before Sakr-el-Bahr's ringing
voice could quell the fighting, before his command to them to hear him
was obeyed.
"Hold there!" he had bellowed to his sea-hawks, using the lingua franca.
"Back, and leave this to me. I will rid you of these foes." Then in
English he had summoned his countrymen also to desist. "Sir John
Killigrew!" he called in a loud voice. "Hold your hand until you have
heard me! Call your men back and let none others come aboard! Hold
until you have heard me, I say, then wreak your will."
Sir John, perceiving him by the mainmast with Rosamund at his side, and
leaping at the most inevitable conclusion that he meant to threaten her
life, perhaps to destroy her if they continued their advance, flung
himself before his men, to check them.
Thus almost as suddenly as it had been joined the combat paused
"What have you to say, you renegade dog?" Sir John demanded.
"This, Sir John, that unless you order your men back aboard your ship,
and make oath to desist from this encounter, I'll take you straight down
to hell with us at once.
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