'I freely confess that I deserve no better,' said the satyr. 'In fact – I am so humiliated that I must do it myself, to restore my, and my father's, honor.' Whereupon he pulled a dagger from his belt and began to saw through the red leather glove on the hand that was gripping the bridle – attempting to cut off his left hand with his right. In doing so he probably saved Jack's life, for this spectacle – the man sawing at his own arm, blood welling out of the glove and dribbling onto the white floor – stopped Churchill in his curly-toed tracks, no more than a fathom away. It was the only time Jack had ever seen Churchill hesitate.