“Will you?” I cried, “you just try it, that’s all!”
He did; and down I went on the deck, as flat as a pancake, from a well-directed blow of his brawny fist!
I was not beaten, however.
Jumping up, I faced him again, only to undergo a repetition of the flooring process; when, seeing that I with my boy’s strength was no match for him as yet, and losing my temper quite as much as he had done, I seized a large snatch-block which was lying by on the deck close to my hand, hurling it at his head with all my force.
The mate started back in terror, for the missile only missed him by half an inch, and if it had struck him would most certainly have killed him on the spot, although I did not think of that when I pitched it at him; and, just at that moment, I heard Captain Billings’ voice behind us.
Chapter Sixteen.
Breakers Ahead!
“Hullo, steady there—belay that!” exclaimed Captain Billings, half-way up the poop ladder, which he was ascending hastily, two steps at a time, “Mr—Mr Macdougall—Martin Leigh! What’s this disgraceful row about?”