You might even toss a stick on the fire. That potato sack you may
care to keep as a souvenir."
"Be quiet, now! Remember, you are my prisoner, Mr. Armitage."
"I am, I am! But I will wager ten courses at Sherry's the Baron will be
glad to let me off."
He laughed softly and began repeating:
"'Why, hear you, my masters: was it for me to kill the heir apparent?
Should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as
Hercules; but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince.
Instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the
better of myself and thee during my life; I for a valiant lion, and thou
for a true prince.'"
Claiborne forced him to lie down on the bench, and threw a blanket over
him, and in a moment saw that he slept. In an inner room the voices of
the prisoners occasionally rose shrilly as they debated their situation
and prospects. Claiborne chewed a cigar and watched and waited. Armitage
wakened suddenly, sat up and called to Claiborne with a laugh:
"I had a perfectly bully dream, old man. I dreamed that I saw the ensign
of Austria-Hungary flying from the flag-staff of this shanty; and by
Jove, I'll take the hint! We owe it to the distinguished Ambassador who
now approaches to fly his colors over the front door.
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