What's the context of this?

This is an article about the Boston Massacre that I have to summarize. However there's one phrase that I dont know the meaning of.





leading Mr. Murray's barrack in which was a soldier brandishing a broad sword of an uncommon size against the walls, out of which he struck fire plentifully. A person of mean countenance. armed with a large cudgel bore him company. Edward Archbald admonished Mr. Merchant to take care of the sword, on which the soldier turned round and struck Archbald on the arm, then pushed at Merchant and pierced through his clothes inside the arm close to the armpit and grazed the skin.





What is meant by take care the sword? Did he mean for Merchant to steal the sword/take it away from the soldier?

What's the context of this?
It simply meant to beware of, be careful, be aware of, the sword. It was a warning that the soldier was going to use the sword.
Reply:Moo
Reply:Reads to me like he's telling him to put it away.





That's just me, though.
Reply:IArchbald is telling him to keep the soldier in line, or, kill him, depending on the rest of the passage. The "sword" is the name archbald gave to the soldier.
Reply:Yes, aidan402 (answerer 4) is right, and the others are wrong or being stupid.





Saying "take care of" in this old-fashioned sense is the same as saying "be careful of" nowadays.

bougainvillea