Chance willed that the latter should turn at this critical instant.
Involuntarily he seized the ruffian's wrist, and being a resolute man, grappled him by the throat with the other hand.
Fearful that the man would sing out, which he certainly would have done at once but for a cold lately contracted in the throat, Brand suddenly pressed this whole tremendous weight against the passenger, throwing him backward head over heels across the bulwarks into the sea.
A splash—a gurgling cry—a hand thrown up above the dark water!
Then no sound was to be heard save the ordinary noises of a vessel booming along with the wind and waves roaring, and yards, masts and timbers creaking.
[CHAPTER II.]
THE BOX.
After committing this dark deed, Brand, crouching in the shadow of the bulwarks, waited to make sure that the splash had not been heard by any other than himself.
Assured of this in a few moments, the third officer crawled back to the companionway and descended as cautiously as he had come.