Teddy Brisk put out a diffident hand towards Smoke. Smoke was an obsequious brute. Ashore he would have been disgustingly grateful for the caress. Now he would not accept it at all. He snarled and sprang away. It was a defiant breach of discipline. What was the matter with the dogs? They had gone saucy all at once. The devil was in the dogs. Nor would they lie down; they withdrew, at last, in a pack, their hunger discouraged, and wandered restlessly in the failing light near by.
Teddy Brisk could not account for this singular behaviour.
It alarmed him.
"Ah, well," said Billy Topsail, "they're all savage with hunger."
"Could you manage with nine, Billy?"
Billy Topsail laughed.
"With ease, my son," said he, "an' glad of it!"
"Is you strong enough t' kill a dog?"
"I'll find that out, Teddy, when the time comes."