It came to the Colonel, as he found himself steadily regarded by those light-blue eyes that looked so arrestingly odd in that tawny face--like pale sapphires set in copper--that this rogue had for some time now been growing presumptuous.

It was a matter that he must presently correct.

Meanwhile Mr.Blood was speaking again, his tone quietly insistent.
"In the name of humanity," he repeated, "ye'll allow me to do what I can to ease his sufferings, or I swear to you that I'll forsake at once the duties of a doctor, and that it's devil another patient will I attend in this unhealthy island at all." For an instant the Colonel was too amazed to speak.

Then-- "By God!" he roared.

"D'ye dare take that tone with me, you dog?
D'ye dare to make terms with me ?" "I do that." The unflinching blue eyes looked squarely into the Colonel's, and there was a devil peeping out of them, the devil of recklessness that is born of despair.
Colonel Bishop considered him for a long moment in silence.