But I should advise you to wait until I have sailed." Captain Nugent, who was moving towards the door, swung round and confronted him savagely.
"What do you mean ?" he demanded.
"What I say," retorted Captain Hardy.

"I don't want to indulge Sunwich with the spectacle of two middle-aged ship-masters at fisticuffs, but that's what'll happen if you touch my boy.

It would probably please the spectators more than it would us." "I'll cane him the first time I lay hands on him," roared Captain Nugent.
Captain Hardy's stock of patience was at an end, and there was, moreover, a long and undischarged account between himself and his late skipper.

He rose and crossed to the door.
"Jem," he cried, "come downstairs and show Captain Nugent out." There was a breathless pause.

Captain Nugent ground his teeth with fury as he saw the challenge, and realized the ridiculous position into which his temper had led him; and the other, who was also careful of appearances, repented the order the moment he had given it.