"I didn't nearly tip the boat over, and fill her half full of water, as Ash Burton did," added Tom.
"It was you that made the row, so that the captain had to leave the wheel," retorted Sam, who did not seem to scare at all at the bluster of the leader.
"I am going to sail this party, or the boat don't go again," said Tom decidedly.
"No, you are not, for Ash is the skipper, and we all agreed to obey his orders," added Sam, retiring from the wharf in order to make room for the ladies.
The rest of the party, with the exception of Tom, had done this before; and he followed Sam. The gentleman began to assist the ladies to their seats in the standing-room, for he thought the skipper could settle the dispute.
"What's the reason I'm not going to sail that party if I want to?" demanded Tom, following up Sam Spottwood.
"Because you don't know how to manage the boat, and I don't believe they would go with you," replied Sam fearlessly.
This was too much for Tom; and he made a pass at Sam with his fist, which the latter parried, and saved himself from harm.
"None of that here!" shouted several of the Topovers.
"Sam Spottwood thinks he is my boss, and I will show him what he is and what I am," continued Tom, rushing upon the plain-spoken boy.