, not a
blessed word, only looked as if all the rest of his body was turned to
stone. He stood like that for about ten seconds or so, then he bent his
head close to the other man's face and put his two clenched fists out
behind him.

"'Here, Sarreo,' I says, collaring him by one arm, 'what's all these
gymnastics? What's the matter?'

"He pushed me aside as if I was a feather, then he straightens himself
up sudden, and, lookin' at the supercargo, spits on the deck at his
feet.

"'You dog,' he says, 'when we get ashore I will fight you!'

"'Warby,' that was the supercargo's name, was no cur, whatever else he
was, but though he seemed mighty sick when he heard Sarreo call him a
dog, he jumped up at once.

"'You damned Kanaka swine! You're drunk! You've been sneaking a bottle
of gin in the trade-room, an' I'll give you a pounding,' he says.

"Then before any one could interfere they were at it, and in less than
a couple of minutes Sarreo had the supercargo by the throat, lifted him
off his feet, and dashes him down on the poop. He lay there stunned, an'
I tell you, mister, I was mighty pleased, for we all hated him for his
beastly bullyin' ways, and his foul talk. So none of us rushed at him
too violently to pick him up. Presently up comes the skipper and orders
me to put Sarreo in irons, though I could see he didn't half like doing
it. But it had to be done, and I had to do it However, Sarreo held out
his hands to me as quiet as a lamb, and I led him for'ard and told him
to keep a stiff upper lip; the captain, I knew, would let him loose
again the next morning. He nodded his head quietly and said, 'All right,
Mr Potter. But when we get ashore _I mus' kill that man_.'

"'Why, Sarreo,' I said, 'you mustn't talk like that, you've nearly
cracked his skull as it is. Don't you go on that tack, or it'll be worse
for you.'

"He nods again. 'I know. But I have been look for that man for more'n
five year.'

"'Why, do you know him?'

"'Yes, I know him _now_. When I see him roll up his shirt-sleeve in the
trade-room, an' I see some tattoo mark on his arm, I know him.'

"Of course I asked him what the supercargo had done to him, but he
wouldn't tell me any more. So, telling one of the hands to give him
his pipe and tobacco, I went aft again and told the skipper that there
seemed to be an old grudge between the two men.

"'Like enough/ says the skipper. 'That fellow Warby is the two ends and
bight of a howling blackguard