"
"Who then are these people, and how do they live upon so small and
windswept an island?" asked the soldier.
"They do not live from the island, fair sir, but from what they
can gather upon the sea around it. They are broken folk from all
countries, justice-fliers, prison-breakers, reavers, escaped
bondsmen, murderers and staff-strikers who have made their way to
this outland place and hold it against all comers. There is one
here who could tell you of them and of their ways, for he was long
time prisoner amongst them." The seaman pointed to Black Simon,
the dark man from Norwich, who was leaning against the side lost
in moody thought and staring with a brooding eye at the distant
shore.
"How now, fellow?" asked Knolles. "What is this I hear? Is it
indeed sooth that you have been a captive upon this island?"
"It is true, fair sir. For eight months I have been servant to
the man whom they call their King. His name is La Muette, and he
comes from Jersey nor is there under God's sky a man whom I have
more desire to see."
"Has he then mishandled you?"
Black Simon gave a wry smile and pulled off his jerkin. His lean
sinewy back was waled and puckered with white scars. "He has left
his sign of hand upon me," said he. "He swore that he would break
me to his will, and thus he tried to do it. But most I desire to
see him because he hath lost a wager to me and I would fain be
paid.
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