"Yes; but—"
"But—but—but pickles. The tale I shall tell will speak for itself."
"Then, damme, you shall try it on now," ejaculated the exasperated Joe Basalt, moving towards the companion ladder.
But before he could get any further, Hunston sprang before him, knife in hand.
"Hold!"
"Stand aside," cried Joe.
"When you have sworn not to utter a word; but not till then—not till then."
The two sailors stared at each other in surprise at this outburst.
"Well, Joe," exclaimed his comrade, "did you ever see such a black-hearted villain?"
"Not I. But put of the way with you, swab, or, damme, I'll make small biscuit of you."