in many things, and
yet, here I find you fightin' like th' old Nick himself."

"What have I done?" I said sulkily.

"Done! Why disabled two men, unfitted them for work for a week at
least, knocked two more into a cocked hat, and would have killed 'em if
the whole crew hadn't seized you and took you below here and put you in
irons!"

"Somebody has struck me," I said. "I've a wound on my head."

"A chap said he were obliged to do that or you'd a bin the death of
him."

"Captain," I said, "you know the truth about this, and that I sought no
quarrel; but now, now--if one of them dares to trifle with me I'll----"

"You won't have the chance, Tretheway, my boy. Every man jack of 'em
declares they will not sail with you. They've all given warnin' unless
you are dropped at the first port."

"Why?"

"Because they say you are not a man but a devil. They say yer eyes
were red, and they see a flame a comin' from yer mouth as you fought,
and although they're a bad lot I hain't got time to get a fresh crew to
suit you, so you must either be left in irons until we get to London,
or be dropped at Dover."

"I'll go to London," I said; "I may stand a better chance there."

The captain left me, and I was again alone. I did not feel at all
excited, but a kind of despair possessed me. I was not at all
surprised or annoyed at the men. I felt that they were right. I
should have done harm to them had I remained at liberty. I was not fit
to have my irons knocked off. The spirit of hatred possessed me,
hatred that was dark and murderous, and hatred is the devil.

I spoke to no one during the time I remained on the vessel. I spoke
not when the irons were knocked off my feet and hands by the captain.
I climbed to the deck, and saw the men huddled together as if in fear,
and I stood and watched them; then I looked and saw we were anchored in
a great tidal river, and that London, great London, was on either side
of me. Once it would have aroused all the enthusiasm and excitement of
my nature. Now I was unmoved. I was about to leave the boat, when a
thought struck me and I turned to the captain.

"Captain Luke Miller," I said, "you know the whole meaning and history
of this matter, and that I picked no quarrel. I don't grumble; but I
want you to stretch a point for me. Can you give me a certificate as
an able-bodied seaman?"

He did not speak, but put a piece of paper in my hand, and pointed to
the board by which I w