"Silence!" roared the captain, in answer to Bill's vindication of himself. "One would think from your manner that you were the captain of this ship instead of me."
"If I were the captain," said Bill, bluntly, "I'd have that man," pointing to Antonio, "put ashore at the first port. I wouldn't harbor such a rascal aboard the ship."
"Silence!" again thundered the captain. "Don't you know your place? If you don't, by all the saints in the calendar, I'll make you know it before twenty-four hours have passed over your head. Let me tell you that I don't require any help in commanding this vessel. When I do, I will call on you. Till then, you may keep your advice to yourself."
Bill shrugged his shoulders, but thought it prudent, on the whole, to say nothing. Not that he feared for himself. He had a good deal of confidence in the strength with which nature had endowed him, but he feared that any unguarded words of his might incite the captain and mate to visit new hardships upon his young protégé, Charlie.
"As to the matter of the ring," said the captain, "my mind is not made up. Mr. Randall, will you attend me?"
The mate went below with Captain Brace.
After a moment's silence the captain said, "I don't like that fellow, Mr. Randall."
"Do you mean Antonio?"
"No; this Sturdy, who takes such airs upon himself."
"Neither do I," answered Randall, promptly.