And the crowd said—
'Aw—aw!'
And then the young fellow, who certainly did not lack courage, made a bolt for the biggest gang, and naturally caught the slowest of the lot, who was a very harmless Dutchman. He knocked him down and pulled out his 'gun.' There was a dead silence for a moment, and then Arizona stepped up to him.
'What are you producin' that very fine weepon for?' he asked.
And Bertie roared—
'This is mutiny—mutiny!'
'Don't get excited, sir,' said Arizona; 'don't get flighty or flurried. With a tough and horrid crowd like this always keep cool. We wants to know unanimous what your purpose is in wearin' that weepon and pullin' it out and flourishin' it permiscus? For we're very peaceful and worships peace, and hates to die.'
'Go—go to the devil!' said Bertie. 'Confound you, let me pass.'
For now there were at least thirty men round him, and some of the stokers who were off duty stood in the background roaring with laughter.
'Make him hand over his gun, Bill,' said Ben, edging closer.