He was followed by a short, stubby little friend with a sandy beard, who, while apparently acting as second, threatened each moment to take the matter into his own hands and usurp the place of principal.
Straw Hat was placable and quite disposed to accept an expression of regret that fright had been occasioned.
Sandy Beard would not have it so, and urged Straw Hat to make a complaint.
Straw Hat spurred on his flagging indignation and asked for a card.
Sandy Beard told Straw Hat not to be deterred by soft words and civility, and promised to stand by him, or rather back of him; whereupon something like the following might have occurred.
Sandy Beard .-- Then you know what is to be done?
Straw Hat .-- Not I, upon my soul! Sandy Beard .-- We wear no clubs here, but you understand me.
Straw Hat .-- What! arrest him.
Sandy Beard .-- Why to be sure; what can I mean else?
Straw Hat .-- But he has given me no provocation.
Sandy Beard .-- Now, I think he has given you the greatest provocation in the world.

Can a man commit a more heinous offence against another than to frighten him?
Ah! by my soul, it is a most unpardonable breach of something.
Straw Hat .-- Breach of something! Ay, ay; but is't a breach of the peace?
I have no acquaintance with this man.

I never saw him before in my life.
Sandy Beard .-- That's no argument at all; he has the less right to take such a liberty.
Straw Hat .-- Gad, that's true.

I grow full of anger, Sir Sandy! fire ahead! Odds, writs and warrants! I find a man may have a good deal of valor in him, and not know it! But couldn't I contrive to have a little right on my side?
Sandy Beard .-- What the devil signifies right when your courage is concerned.

Do you think Verges, or my little Dogberry ever inquired where the right lay?
No, by my soul; they drew their writs, and left the lazy justice of the peace to settle the right of it.
Straw Hat .-- Your words are a grenadier's march to my heart! I believe courage must be catching! I certainly do feel a kind of valor rising as it were,--a kind of courage, as I may say.