'His precious limbs!' cried Stagg, clasping one of his ankles. 'Shall a
Miggs aspire to these proportions! No, no, my captain. We will inveigle
ladies fair, and wed them in our secret cavern. We will unite ourselves
with blooming beauties, captain.'
'I'll tell you what, my buck,' said Mr Tappertit, releasing his leg;
'I'll trouble you not to take liberties, and not to broach certain
questions unless certain questions are broached to you. Speak when
you're spoke to on particular subjects, and not otherways. Hold
the torch up till I've got to the end of the court, and then kennel
yourself, do you hear?'
'I hear you, noble captain.'
'Obey then,' said Mr Tappertit haughtily. 'Gentlemen, lead on!' With
which word of command (addressed to an imaginary staff or retinue) he
folded his arms, and walked with surpassing dignity down the court.
His obsequious follower stood holding the torch above his head, and then
the observer saw for the first time, from his place of concealment, that
he was blind. Some involuntary motion on his part caught the quick
ear of the blind man, before he was conscious of having moved an inch
towards him, for he turned suddenly and cried, 'Who's there?'
'A man,' said the other, advancing.
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