With FORCE and ARMS by HOWARD ROGER GARIS

As I left the presence of His Excellency I encountered, in the doorway, a man who was entering with every appearance of haste. We came against each other full tilt. For the moment the shock threw us apart."Zounds! But you are a clumsy fellow!" he exclaimed, limping toward me, the expression of pain on his face showing that I must have hurt him. "Could you not look whither you were going? You stepped on my foot like a very horse," and the words came testily.He scowled as he prepared to...
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As I left the presence of His Excellency I encountered, in the doorway, a man who was entering with every appearance of haste. We came against each other full tilt. For the moment the shock threw us apart."Zounds! But you are a clumsy fellow!" he exclaimed, limping toward me, the expression of pain on his face showing that I must have hurt him. "Could you not look whither you were going? You stepped on my foot like a very horse," and the words came testily.He scowled as he prepared to pass by me.My hand was on my sword, for he was most insulting."Sir!" I exclaimed, "for the pain I have caused you I am regretful. As for 'clumsy fellows,' look to yourself, sir!"My weapon was out on the instant. He was not a second behind me. The steel blades crossed with a clash."What is this, sirs?" cried Sir William Phips, Massachusetts's Governor, whose room I had just left. He hastened toward us."What mean you two, with your swords out in the Council Chamber, like a pair of swashbucklers over a card game? Put them up at once, you Captain Amherst; and you, also, Sir George. You are both at fault. This must go no further; do you hear? If it does, you may reckon with me on the quarter deck."My opponent and I were startled. Somewhat abashed, he whom the Governor called Sir George, sheathed his weapon, I following his action.I looked at the man. He was tall and well built. His clothing was of good quality, with fine lace and ruffles; his sword a trusty blade, set in a hilt, studded with red stones. On his face there was a haughty look, yet withal, a trace of sadness. He gazed sharply at me, seeming about to put a question, but the Governor was beckoning him, and he passed me without a word, scowling darkly, into the chamber of His Excellency. Then I went out.There came a time, afterward, when I wished with all my heart, that our swords had come into use, that day; a time when I would have given much to have seen him dead before me. But there was another way.I felt within my jacket to see if my papers were safe, for on them, now, depended my good fortune. I had come to Boston town without friends, and almost on a forlorn hope, for England was no longer a safe place for me, with a relentless enemy following close on my heels at every step. My mission had succeeded better than I had dared to hope, and I was leaving now, carrying with me a captain's commission, duly signed and sealed by His Excellency. I also had a letter of introduction to one, Samuel Willis, a tavern keeper at Salem.Of the things which had come to pass before I found myself in Boston town, in the year of grace 1692, I will relate none for the present. At any rate here I was, Captain Edward Amherst, in age not yet a score and a half, in stature say a bit over six feet; in weight--but there, you will doubtless have more than enough of me ere I have finished.Sufficient to say that I was a soldier by trade, and one of fortune, by necessity, and that I sought service in their Majesties' American Colonies. I had left London eight weeks ago, bearing letters to Governor Phips, from old comrades in arms, some of whom had sailed the seas with him. Arriving in Boston I had put up at the inn, and had sought an audience with His Excellency, which interview was just over, with the ending I have described.When I was ushered into the presence of Sir William I explained in few words why I came, and what I wanted. He extended his hand for my letters, and, when he had them, he gave me no more heed for a time, but read the missives. I watched his face as he scanned the pages, the while he kept up a running fire of comments.