The Black Swan (Historical Novel). Rafael Sabatini

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      The cabin door was flung violently inwards upon its hinges to crash against a bulkhead. Through the dark gap swarmed a little mob of half-naked men, most of them with gaudily swathed heads, their sunburned, bearded faces alight with evil exultation. They came with weapons in their hands and foulness on their lips.

      Beholding the four tenants of the cabin--for Pierre stood in the background, simulating impassivity, despite a greyness overspreading his deep tan--the ruffians checked a moment. Then one of them, at sight of the girl, loosed a hideous view-holloa, and on that they were surging forward again, when Monsieur de Bernis, calm to the point of seeming contemptuous, put himself in their way.

      His hands were on the silver-mounted butts of the pistols in his stole; but the fact that he did not trouble to draw them lent him an added authority.

      'Hold! I'll burn the brains of the first man who advances farther. I am de Bernis. Fetch your Captain Leach to me.'