A fine night, thought Robert, suited to his fine future.
It was very late, when he went down to the captain's cabin, ate a little more food and turned in.

He soon slept, but not needing sleep much now, he awoke at dawn.

His awakening may have been hastened by the footsteps and voices he heard, but in any event he rose softly and buckled on his sword and pistols.

One of the voices, high and sharp, he recognized, and he believed that once more he was the child of good fortune, because he had been awakened in time.
He sat on the couch, facing the door, put the sword by his side and held one of the pistols, cocked and resting on his knee.

The footsteps and voices came nearer, and then the keen, cruel face appeared at the door.
"Good morning, captain," said Robert, equably.