At this moment the mate, attracted by the noise, came on deck.
XVIII.
ANTONIO'S RESOLVE.
"What has been going on?" asked Randall, perceiving, from the position of the sailors and their looks, that something had happened. What it was, he surmised, having heard something of the noise of the conflict.
No one of the sailors spoke, but all looked at each other in hesitating silence.
"What was it? Are you all deaf?" demanded the mate, impatiently.
"A little fight, that is all, Mr. Randall," answered Bill Sturdy, coolly hitching up his pants.
"And you were one of the parties?"
"I believe I was."