“What was that?” said Captain Studwick, sternly, as the man Tolly got up and made savagely at the black, but was restrained by the strong arm of the old sailor, Oakum.
Tolly and the black both spoke excitedly together, and not a word was to be understood.
“Here you, Mr Tolly, what is it?” cried the captain. “Hold your tongue, ’Pollo.”
“I bash him head, sah. I—”
“Hold your tongue, sir,” said the captain. “What was it?”
“I happened to look round, sir, and found this stupid nigger standing on the tube, and when I dragged him off he struck me.”
“Who you call nigger, you ugly, white, fat-head tief?” shouted the black, savagely. “I bash your ugly head.”
“Silence!” cried the captain.
“It great big lie, sah,” cried the black. “I turn roun’ and see dat ugly tief set him hoof on de tubum, and top all de wind out of Mass’ Dutch Pugh, and I scruff him.”
“You infamous—”