Captain Otway woke from his recurring nightmare and waited until his heart ceased to race before rolling from the bed. He stripped off his nightshirt, standing naked beside the open window to allow the sweat to dry as he listened to the chorus of birds.
When he had sufficiently recovered, Otway washed in the basin of cold water, scraped the open razor across his cheeks and chin and held it to his throat, pressing until a drop of scarlet blood appeared.
No, he told himself. That’s the coward’s way out and the gate to eternal damnation. I am no coward and have no wish to spend an eternity in hell.
No,That’s the coward’s way out and the gate to eternal damnation. I am no coward and have no wish to spend an eternity in hell.Dressing in buckskin breeches and a linen shirt, Captain Otway padd
