"'CHRISS, ARE YOU HURT?'"
There was no answer, and hearing a rattle on the ladder the lad looked up, and saw the mate standing close by. He had his hands in his pockets, but there was an unpleasant look in his face.
"Shamming. Take him forward," he said, and stooped as though about to shake the lad who still lay motionless.
He, however, straightened himself as Appleby rose up, and stood before him, quivering, with hand clenched and a blaze in his eyes.
"Get back! You have done enough," he said, and if Niven could have heard it he would scarcely have recognized his comrade's voice.
"Hello!" the mate said sharply. "Were you talking to me?"
"Yes," said Appleby hoarsely, but very quietly. "And I have a little more to tell you. You can't do these things with impunity, and we'll have you kicked out of the Company for this."
It was not, of course, a judicious speech, but Appleby was scarcely in a state to decide what was most fitting then. The mate moved a pace nearer him, and his hands were out of his pockets now, but he stopped close by Appleby, for the lad stood stiffly upright, his face grey with passion.
"I'll make you sorry. Get him out of this," he said.