As I passed higher up the beach, the sand-lice were hopping nimbly about the stranded tangles.

The devil any other sight or sound in that unchancy place.

And yet I knew there were folk there, observing me, upon some secret purpose.

They were no soldiers, or they would have fallen on and taken us ere now; doubtless they were some common rogues hired for my undoing, perhaps to kidnap, perhaps to murder me outright.

From the position of those engaged, the first was the more likely; from what I knew of their character and ardency in this business, I thought the second very possible; and the blood ran cold about my heart.
I had a mad idea to loosen my sword in the scabbard; for though I was very unfit to stand up like a gentleman blade to blade, I thought I could do some scathe in a random combat.