His teeth had gone, all but two buck-teeth which stuck out at each corner of his mouth, giving him the look of a tusker.

I could see his lips moving uneasily in the glare of the pine boughs, and his eyes darted about the company as if seeking countenance.
Ringan was speaking very gravely, with his eyes shining like sword points.

The others were every make and manner of fellow, from well-shaped and well-clad gentlemen to loutish seamen in leather jerkins.

Some of the faces were stained dark with passion and crime, some had the air of wild boys, and some the hard sobriety of traders.
But one and all were held by the dancing eyes of the man that spoke.
"What is the judgment," he was saying, "of the Free Companions?
By the old custom of the Western Seas I call upon you, gentlemen all, for your decision." Then I gathered that the evil-faced fellow had offended against some one of their lawless laws, and was on his trial.
No one spoke for a moment, and then one grizzled seaman raised his hand, "The dice must judge," he said.

"He must throw for his life against the six." Another exclaimed against this.