human
Are they dead?
gpt
Nay, not yet, master; give 'em six minutes or say ten and they'll be as dead as the pig you ate of last--
human
How so?
gpt
By means o' this, master! said he, and stooping towards the fire showed me a middling-sized black thorn upon his open palm.
human
Not much to look at, master--no, but 'tis death sure and sarten, howsomever. I've many more besides; I make 'em into darts and shoot 'em through a blowpipe--a trick I larned o' the Indians. Aye, I spits 'em through a pipe--which is better than your guns--no noise, no smoke, and sure death wherever it sticketh.
gpt
Are you an Englishman?
human
I am that! Born within sound o' Bow Bells; 'tis all o' twenty years since I heard 'em but they ring in my dreams sometimes. I shipped on a venture to the Main twenty years ago and fought and rioted as a man may and by ill-luck fell into the hands o' the bloody Spaniards along o' six other good lads--all dead long since, master. Then the Inquisition got me and was going to burn me but not liking the thought on't, I turned Roman. Then they made me a slave, but I got away at last. Aha, all Spanishers are devils for cruelty, but their Churchmen are worst and of all their Churchmen the coldest, softest, bloodiest is Alexo Valdez, Chief Inquisitor of Nombre de Dios yonder--
gpt
Ha, you know Nombre de Dios?
human
I ha' lived and suffered there, master, and 'tis there I be a-going for to make an end o' Bloody Valdez, if God be kind.
gpt
Then, said I,
human
And what doth an Englishman the like o' you want with the accursed place; the Inquisition is strong there--
gpt
Death! said he,
human
Death--they should all be dead and rotting, if I had my way.
gpt
How then, I demanded,
human
I will that! said he.
gpt
I know the wilderness and I have endured much o' hardship o' late and as to watching, there's small need. The rogues you fell upon, being Spaniards, will doubtless be running yet and nigh unto Nombre, by now.
human
How far is it hence?
gpt
Twelve leagues by road, but less the ways I travel.
human
Good!
gpt
Though 'tis hard going.
human
No matter.
gpt
Why, then, sleep, for we march at dawn. And my name is John.
human
And mine Martin.
gpt
Why, then, Martin, good night.
human
Good night, John.