"Will you let my sister alone ?" "I suppose she is not good enough for an honest seaman, because of that infernal young Gar----" He did not get any farther, for Martin aimed a blow at him and struck him behind the ear.

Marianne hastily left the room.

Torpander now threw himself courageously on his ancient enemy from the other side, and a frightful scuffle ensued.
Tom Robson put himself in position like an English boxer, drunk as he was, and squared his arms and elbows for the fray.
At first he made a few feints at Martin, which were not meant to be serious.

But when he had received a few blows which were really painful, he sprang away from the table so as to get more room.

Torpander had not the least idea of using his fists, but hammered away like a blacksmith with his long skinny arms, either at Tom or else in the air, just as it might happen.