Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards
the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.

But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley
burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a
tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling
out upon the deck. They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee
scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot
deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was
swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.

"You take dat now," I heard Jake's voice say excitedly. "I mash um face
well."

"An' you take dat, you hangman tief," cried the other with equal
earnestness. "Golly, I gib you gosh!"

Then came the thud of blows, easily distinguishable above the splashing
of the refuse water that had accumulated to leeward from the sluicing of
the decks, with the convulsive movements of two pairs of arms and legs
mingled together in a confused mass--one woolly head being occasionally
uplifted above the other and immediately as quickly dragged down again.
The crew all the while screamed with laughter, enjoying the combat with
the utmost relish, and without attempting to interfere in any way
between the angry antagonists.

"Stop the rascals, stop them!" sang out Captain Miles, jumping down into
the waist and hurrying to the scene of action. "They'll either kill or
drown each other!"

CHAPTER EIGHT.

POOR JACKSON.

As soon as the seamen heard the captain's words, uttered as they were in
a tone which they well knew from experience was meant to be obeyed,
several of them at once rushed to where the two darkeys were still
struggling in the lee scuppers; when Jackson, the tall young sailor whom
I had already noticed for his smartness, stepping forward in advance of
the others and stooping down at the same time, lifted up the combatants
on to their feet, holding one in each hand as easily as if the two big
negroes had been only little dolls.

"Be quiet, I tell 'ee," he cried, giving Cuffee, the cook, who was the
most obstreperous, a shake as he clutched him by the back of his woolly
head in the same way as a terrier holds a rat; "be quiet, I tell 'ee, or
I'll pitch you overboard!"

So saying, and emphasising the threat by raising Cuffee at arm's length,
to the level of the bulwarks, he dragged the irate pair along to where
Cap