I will let it out, in order that its place may be taken by pure and wholesome blood." The captain frowned, and made a few swings with his cutlass.

Then he ran a finger along its keen edge, and he felt satisfied with himself.

A vast amount of rage and mortification was confined in his system, and not charging any of it to the storm, the full volume of his anger was directed against his cook's former assistant, Peter Smith, who was entirely too jaunty and independent in his manner.

He could not understand Robert's presumption in challenging him to a combat with swords, but he would punish him cruelly, while the two sailors looked on and saw it well done.
Robert put his pack, his greatcoat, his coat, and his belt with the pistols and ammunition in a heap, and looked carefully to the sword that he had taken from the captain's cabin.

It was a fine weapon, though much lighter than the cutlass.