"I don't care whether it was the trade or not: I am going to steer now," added Tom very decidedly.
"Didn't you agree that I should be captain on this cruise?" demanded Ash, keeping down his indignation as well as he could.
"That was only to get you to come along," replied Tom, with the most barefaced effrontery. "I had a point to carry, and I carried it. Get out of my way, Ash Burton, and I will take the thing."
"You don't know how to handle the boat, and I object," interposed Sam Spottwood.
"Shut up, Sam!" said Tom, turning a savage glance at the last speaker.
"I shall not shut up! You made a fair agreement that Ash should be captain, or I would not have come," retorted Sam boldly.
"I should not either," added Ash.
"It's no use of jawing about it. I am going to steer this boat the rest of the cruise, and"—
"No, you are not! You have tried to cheat us, and we will stick to the trade we made fairly!" insisted Sam.
"Shut up, Sam Spottwood, or I'll bat you over the head!" said Tom fiercely, and he turned towards Sam with his fists in fighting condition.