"Well, sir, what d'ye think? me?—earty fighter, ain't I?"
CHAPTER XIII
AFTER THE FIGHT
I
All was very still on the deck of the Tremendous; and those quiet men lolling in the sun added to the hush.
They sprawled about in all attitudes—on their faces, on their backs, in each other's arms, as though snoozing. And the snoring noise that came from one or two of them enhanced the illusion. Only the blank unwinking eyes of those upon their backs, the expression of the upturned faces, and the wet red stuff smeared everywhere, showed that they were not holiday picnickers.
Aft by the binnacle a man sat up against the side watching with appalling solemnity the blood pat-pat-patting down from a wound in his side. He dabbed a finger in the mess, and scrawled his name on the deck,
Tom Bleach. R.I.P._
"Tom Bleach—Remember Im Please," he repeated, nodding his head with portentous gravity.
A white and crimson huddle beside him groaned.