Before his senses had fairly fled, Joe Deering strode over to him, and delivered him a heavy kick behind.
This brought him round in a wonderful way.
He knew that it was a material foot that had given that kick, and the conviction was a marvellous relief to him.
He scrambled up.
As he got to his feet, Joe Deering fixed him by the throat, and shook him.
"You plotted to accomplish my murder," he said, "but now my turn's come, Robinson, and I mean to punish you."
Jovial Captain Robinson was a coward, an arrant cur, yet he infinitely preferred having to tackle flesh and blood, to battling with a ghost.
He turned upon his assailant.
But Deering was not to be denied.
Before the jovial captain could do any thing to help himself, Joe Deering hammered his face into a jelly.