It's a pity to waste powder and cannon-balls on you, when we may have use for all we've got later on, killing the lions and tigers and anacondas up there in the woods, but I'm going to do it." He stepped back.

Not a man or woman moved.

They stood transfixed, packed in a huddled mass along the deck.

Then a woman cried out for mercy.

The cry was taken up by other women.