“I did not know it myself,” replied Dory, wiping the perspiration from his brow. “I am not a fighting character, and I never struck a blow in my life except in self-defence.”
“I think Chester has got enough of it,” added the fireman.
“I don’t know about that. He acts to me as though he was crazy. It would be just like him to pitch into me again as soon as he feels able to do so. I am sure I don’t want to quarrel with him, especially as he is to be in the pilot-house with me. If I have done any thing out of the way, I am willing to beg his pardon; but he wouldn’t even talk with me about his grudge against me.”
“I saw the whole of it, and heard all that was said. I am sure you are not to blame,” added Bolingbroke. “But I was glad to see you knock him out after he was so unreasonable.”
“You were in the boat last night when the trouble began, and I hope you will be able to remember what passed between Oscar and me; for, after this, my uncle will be very likely to investigate the case.”
“I remember all about it. Oscar wanted to steer the boat, and you objected. When he got up from his seat,—to take the helm, I suppose,—you told him to sit down; and you spoke rather sharply. Then the boat gave a lurch, and he went overboard. If it hadn’t been for you, Dory, he would have been drowned as sure as fate,” replied Bolingbroke, rehearsing the facts precisely as they were.
“I am ready to face the music, and if I have done any thing wrong I shall be glad to apologize for it. In this fight, I only defended myself, as I think every fellow ought to do.”
“How are you, Dory?”
The pilot looked around, and saw Mr. Peppers, a constable of Plattsburgh, who sometimes did detective work. He had sailed down the lake with Dory in the Goldwing a few weeks before, and Peppers had a strong regard for the skipper.
“I am glad to see you, Mr. Peppers,” replied Dory, shaking hands with the detective.