If he did not expect to make use of you, you
would have been put to death this morning as coolly as if you had
been a dog.'
'Well, to make that matter easy, more than the chief would have been
needed at the killing.'
'Ah, you know not his giant, brutal strength. I fear that he could
crush you like an infant.'
'I have no such fear. I dread him not, either with or without arms;
and I rather concluded this morning that the fellow is as much coward
as bully.'
'Well; it may be so. But your safety is by no means assured. Lying
as you did in a doorless room last night, you were at the mercy of
Murfrey's knife. And I well know what a stealthy murderer that is.
Your danger to-night would be two-fold, for you have made of the old
woman a deadly enemy; and of silent Poll the same.
'You will require to be unceasingly on your guard against treachery;
and it will be never safe for you by night or day if you have not
your knife or pistol at your hand. I would recommend both.'
'Then what is to be my safeguard in the night? I must sleep
sometimes; and I shall surely be murdered.'
'I am glad to say that the chief this morning ordered that you
should have an inner room, to which there is a sturdy door.
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