Page:The Dark Frigate (Hawes).djvu/153

A lad being called into council by such a man as Tom Jordan might well think himself a fine fellow, and rare enough were lads whom Tom Jordan would thus have summoned. But although Philip Marsham, it seemed, had taken the Old One’s eye and won his heart long before on the little hill beside the road, when Phil had drawn the wind from Martin’s sails, and although it had not escaped Tom Jordan that Phil’s hand moved easily toward his weapon, the old proverb has it ‘‘a man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his steps”; and ‘‘he that whistleth merrily, spreadeth his nets cunningly and hunteth after his prey greedily.”

So, ‘‘Come, boatswain, and lend us thy wits,” cried Tom. ‘‘Four heads shall provide more wisdom than three.’’ And with that, he clapped Phil on the back and drew him into the cabin where Jacob and the mate sat deep in talk of the night’s adventures.

‘‘A hawk, when she is first dressed and ready to fly,” said Jacob, ‘‘is sharp set and hath a great will upon her. If the falconer do not then follow it, she will be dulled for ever after. So, master, a man! Yea, and a ship.”

"A great will, sayest thou?” quoth the Old One, and his voice revealed his sullen anger. ‘‘Why then, in God’s name, did ye not rake them with a broadside or twain?’’ With which he turned on Harry Malcolm, thus to include him in the charge.