I told him I had winged one , and thought it was the captain . `` And I 've settled two , '' says he . `` No , there 's not enough blood let ; they 'll be back again . To your watch , David . This was but a dram before meat . '' I settled back to my place , re-charging the three pistols I had fired , and keeping watch with both eye and ear . Our enemies were disputing not far off upon the deck , and that so loudly that I could hear a word or two above the washing of the seas . `` It was Shuan bauchled * it , '' I heard one say . * Bungled . And another answered him with a `` Wheesht , man ! He 's paid the piper . '' After that the voices fell again into the same muttering as before . Only now , one person spoke most of the time , as though laying down a plan , and first one and then another answered him briefly , like men taking orders . By this , I made sure they were coming on again , and told Alan . `` It 's what we have to pray for , '' said he . `` Unless we can give them a good distaste of us , and done with it , there 'll be nae sleep for either you or me . But this time , mind , they 'll be in earnest . '' By this , my pistols were ready , and there was nothing to do but listen and wait . While the brush lasted , I had not the time to think if I was frighted ; but now , when all was still again , my mind ran upon nothing else . The thought of the sharp swords and the cold steel was strong in me ; and presently , when I began to hear stealthy steps and a brushing of men 's clothes against the round-house wall , and knew they were taking their places in the dark , I could have found it in my mind to cry out aloud .
All this was upon XXXXX 's side ; and I had begun to think my share of the fight was at an end , when I heard some one drop softly on the roof above me .
Alan David Shuan Wheesht captain first mind piper pistols round-house