In two bounds I was beyond it and among the gravel
and weedof the farther beach. He saw my intention, bowed ceremoniously, and handed
it back to me.
I had seenancient magic revive and carry captive
the hearts of a people.
And anyhow I had a pistol, and I would not miss
therunner. That would be the signal to me that thesentry had left the jetty and that
I might try to cross it. He pointed out various difficulties,and then shook his head
like a dog and said that he agreed.
The place hadundergone another transformation, for
it seemed to be deserted.
I think I must have beenrather light-headed. If
Ihad moved another foot I should have been within view. An unhallowed epiphany was
looked for, but first mustcome the sacrifice.
I hoped for a gate, and in any caseexpected no more
than a hedge and a palisade. I thought with scorn of my self-confidence. And anyhow
I had a pistol, and I would not miss therunner. He mightwell be, judging from Black
Georges reverence for the wordEnglish.
I had never thought of it in that way, but of
course I was out toprevent murder. Or had he been driven off by the
islanders?
I remembered that he had refused to utter one word
about thatmaster of his. He pointed out various difficulties,and then shook his head
like a dog and said that he agreed.
In two bounds I was beyond it and among the gravel
and weedof the farther beach. Anyhow, he was gone now, and our one bridge with a
sane world wasbroken.
Iam not much of a pistol shot, but Janni, as I knew
from Maris, wasan expert.