“Walk out and you'll be all right,” added another.
At last Sam Cullum found his feet and walked around the side of the dock to the shore. A crowd followed him and kept him from going at Joe again.
“I'll fix him another time,” growled the intoxicated one, and shuffled off, with some small boys jeering him.
“You treated him as he deserved,” said one of the other boatmen to Joe.
“I suppose he'll try to square up another time,” answered our hero.
“Well, I wouldn't take water for him, Joe.”
“I don't intend to. If he attacks me I'll do the best I can to defend myself.”
“He has made a nuisance of himself for a long time. It's a wonder to me that Mr. Mallison put up with it so long.”
“He was short of help, that's why. It isn't so easy to get new help in the height of the summer season.”
“That is true.”