"It is monstrous that you should have to. I wish——" and the petulant stamp of her stout little brogue conveyed no suggestion of a blessing.
"Time may work for us," he said quietly. "He is our thorn in the flesh——"
"He's a whole axe if you give him the chance."
"I won't, I promise you. I cannot afford to give him any chances," and she knew that in that his thought was wholly for her.
Wulf dutifully patrolled his deck when it grew dark, though he acknowledged to himself that the precaution was probably unnecessary, for this night at all events. Still, he was there to protect The Girl and he would suffer no risks.
It was possibly the distant sight of him, tramping doggedly to and fro in the wan moonlight, that set Macro's rum-heated passions on fire. Wulf heard him spating curses as he tumbled over on to his raft and came splashing across. He went quietly to the companion-way and closed the door, then picked up his axe and stood waiting, with a somewhat quickened heart at the thought that the next few minutes might end the matter one way or the other.
"—— —— —— —— you, you white-livered skunk! Come out and fight for her like a man if you want her," was the mate's rough challenge, supplemented by a broadside of oaths, as he drew near.
Wulf stood looking quietly down at him. Words were sheer waste.
"D'ye hear me? Come down an' fight it out like a' man, an' best man takes her, —— —— —— —— —— you!"
He bumped roughly against the side and picked up his axe. Curses foamed out of him in a ceaseless torrent, and he made as though he would come swarming over.