"Not king; just plain Mister Komuri," purred our little helper, as he grinned.
"What's the matter?" asked Dodd. "Don't four-flush at your title, hey?"
"Aw, give us rest," said Jack, who was good-natured and liked the little yellow man, for Komuri did all his work now, and there was no comeback.
"I don't know if honorable sailor means wrong by four-flush," said Komuri quietly, "but if he does the finger of Fate will point at him."
"Wow! Fate will point at me! What der you think o' that?" sneered Dodd. "Let's hope you ain't Fate, sonny, or I might p'int my own fair hand at you in return."
"If honorable seaman will step out to the fore end of ship I'll show him just what a son of Samurai means. It will take short time."
"Sure, king; I'll go you that explanation, all right. Come right along while the watch are getting their whack. No one will notice us."
Komuri jumped like a tiger without warning. He sprang upon the fellow, and had a strangle hold of his wrist, and twisted over his neck until I thought he was getting killed. I had to stop laughing to run up and stop the fracas. Dodd was sweating with pain, and cursing furiously, absolutely helpless. It was so quickly done that I wondered at it. Of course, a strong man might grab the small fellow and jerk him out of his shoes, but that was not Dodd.
"Drop it!" I commanded, and the second steward let go at once, smiling. "Now, get below, and quit this fooling," said I, and the sailor waited for no further orders. "You can show me some of your tricks, you Japanese juggler, when we have more time," I said to the little man. "You interest me considerable. Get to the hash, and don't waste time with a fool like that."
Of course, it might be expected that a man of Komuri's parts would be gallant, for it seems always the case when a man is able and unafraid that he is sure to love with more passion than discernment. Komuri was not an exception.