"Yield me up that lady instantly, fellow!" cried Sir Amyas, with his
sword half drawn.
"And who are you, I should like to know," returned Karen, coolly,
"swaggering at an honest man taking his freight and passengers
aboard?"
"I'll soon show you!"
"Hush, sir," said Green, who had caught sight of pistols and cutlasses,
"let me speak a moment. Look you here, skipper, this young gentleman
and lady have right on their side. This is her sister, and he is her
husband. They are people of condition, as you see."
"All's one to me on the broad seas."
"That may be," said Green, "but you see you can't weigh anchor these
three hours or more; and what's to hinder the young captain here from
swearing against you before a magistrate, and getting your vessel
searched, eh?"
"I've no objection to hear reason if I'm spoke to reasonable," said
Karen, sulkily; "but I'll not be bullied like a highwayman, when I've
my consignment regularly made out, and the freight down in hand,
square."
"You may keep your accursed passage-money and welcome," cried Sir
Amyas, "so you'll only give me my wife!"
"Show him the certificate," whispered Betty.
Sir Amyas had it ready, and he read it loud enough for all on the
Thames to hear. Karen gave a sneering little laugh.
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