"I must ask you again to leave it to me to decide when it is time to begin." Then he strutted up and down in the open space, turning now towards his fellows and again to Martin, moving his head about to get a better sight of his face.

Then, putting his hand down between his coat and waistcoat he drew out a knife with a long shining blade, and holding it from him looked attentively at it.

By and by he breathed gently on the bright blade, then pulling out a black silk pocket handkerchief wiped off the stain of his breath, and turning the blade about made it glitter in the sun.

Then he put it back under his coat and resumed his walk up and down.
"We are getting very hungry," said one of the others at length.
"Very hungry indeed!" cried another.

"Some of us have not tasted food these three days." "It certainly does seem hard," said yet another, "to see our dinner before us and not be allowed to touch it." "Not so fast, my friends, I beg," exclaimed the man with the knife.
"I have already explained the case, and I do think you are a little unfair in pressing me as you do." Thus rebuked they consulted together, then one of them spoke.
"If, sir, you consider us unfair, or that we have not full confidence in you, would it not be as well to get some other person to take your place ?" "Yes, I am ready to do that," returned the important one promptly; and here, drawing forth the knife once more, he held it out towards them.