“Captain Richmond,” said Titcomb, “you are the greatest brute I ever came across!”
“Don’t you dare to say that again!” cried the captain, almost foaming at the mouth.
“No one but a brute would kick a sick boy!”
“He is not shamming, and you know that as well as I do.”
“I’ll put you in irons, sir! By heavens, you are inciting mutiny!”
“If you put me in irons, you’ll have something to put me in irons for.”
“What d’ye mean by that?”
“I mean that if you are captain of this vessel, I am a man, and I won’t allow you to treat a poor sick sailor as you have treated James Low.”
“You won’t allow me!” yelled the captain. “You’ll see! I’ll do it again for your gratification!” And he drew back his foot as if to kick the prostrate figure once more.