'And yet it called for Spaniards to save us from drowning,' sneered Foster. The memory of his struggle in the water rankled, apparently. 'I thought I could rely on two brother captains.'
'What are you implying, sir?' snapped Hammond.
'I make no implications, but others may read implications into a simple statement of fact.'
'I consider that an offensive remark, sir,' said Harvey, 'addressed to me equally with Captain Hammond.'
'I congratulate you on your perspicacity, sir,' replied Foster.
'I understand,' said Harvey. 'This is not a discussion we can pursue with these men present. I shall send a friend to wait on you.'
'He will be welcome.'
'Then I wish you a very good night, sir.'
'And I, too, sir,' said Hammond. 'Give way there.'
The boat pulled out of the circle of light, leaving an audience open-mouthed at this strange freak of human behaviour, that a man saved first from death and then from captivity should wantonly thrust himself into peril again. Foster looked after the boat for some seconds before speaking; perhaps he was already regretting his rather hysterical outburst.