Bertie wrenched his arm loose.
'Confound you, sir, let go my arm! What the devil do you mean by interfering with me, sir? I'll sack you in Cape Town the very moment we get there. He—he called me Bertie!'
'Sack? be hanged,' said Forder. 'And did he call you Bertie? Well, you are Bertie, aren't you? But you're green too, or you wouldn't threaten to boot an American of that sort.'
'You don't know who you're talking to,' said Bertie furiously. 'For two pins I'd knock you down.'
Forder walked for'ard.
'Oh, go to bed,' he said contemptuously. But in less than ten minutes he was interviewing the 'old man,' and explaining how he had saved Mr. Fortescue's life. The skipper abused him severely.
'I shall be compelled to take the very severest steps with you, Mr. Forder,' piped the old man.
'You can't do worse, sir, than send me for'ard and fire me at Cape Town and mark me D.R.,' said Forder in the civilest tone, 'and I'm ready to shift my dunnage for'ard right now, sir. But I tell you that Mr. Fortescue won't get to Cape Town at all if he plays up with those chaps for'ard.'
'I can take care of myself,' roared Bertie, 'and I don't require your advice.'
'You'll get no more of it,' said Forder.