"Yes," answered Bill, through his clenched teeth, "I has."
"You'd as lief fight it out?"
"In the second dog watch if we've time," said Bill, "or the middle watch if we hasn't."
"Right-o. Where?"
"On the bowsprit end. We'll 'ave it out with knives."
Silas wished then with all his heart he had not tried to bluff.
"You mean that?" he asked huskily.
"I mean," said Bill, "as I'm afraid to live, and Silas," he stared into the man's eyes, "you're scared to die!"
"Waal, that's a fact. I am—leastways to die at such a job as that."
"When you sneaked," said Bill, "your words was murder."