I stayed awhiles
With them hostiles.
And stepped in front the cell.
To speed my men,
I’d stay and send
Some mutineers to hell.
The crocodile
Lunged in agile
But his hand was too slow.
I backed up and,
The cell gate, slammed,
And it locked through the bone.
Then, ‘neath his sword
He called his horde.
I saw I was trapped in.
”I’ve hid the key.
Now you need me!
You tell them I’m captain!
”No! You’ll kill me.”
”Well, probably.
But you’ll choose how you die.”
”Just kill me then
And face my men,
My second at command.
I may be kneeled,
But ere I yield,
I’ll cut off my own hand!”