His wiry fingers locked themselves in Bennie D.'s shirt collar.
“I ordered you to pump,” said Seth. “Now then, you come and pump!”
“Let go!” screamed his captive. “Take your hands off me, or—”
The back of his head striking the deck put a period in the middle of his sentence. The next moment he was being dragged by the collar to the little hand pump amidships.
“Pump!” roared the lightkeeper. “Pump! or I'll break your everlastin' neck. Lively now!”
The dazed genius rose to his knees. “What—” he stammered. “Where—”
“Right there in front of you. Lively, you lubber!”
A well-directed kick helped to facilitate liveliness.
“What shall I do?” wailed Bennie D., fumbling the pump brake. “How does it go?”
“Up and down—so.” Seth jerked his victim's head up and down, by way of illustration. “Now, then,” he continued, “you pump till I say quit, or I'll—I swan to man I'll make a spare tops'l out of your hide!”