"Mr. Duckling punched the cook's head——"
"I saw him, sir. Likewise he kicked him. Mr. Duckling knows his duty, and I hope he has taught the cook his. Steward!"
"Yes, sir?" responded the steward, coming out of the pantry.
"See that a piece of the pork you are serving out to the men is put upon my table to-day."
"Yes, sir."
The captain fell into another fit of silence, during which I ate my breakfast as quickly as I could, in order to relieve Duckling.
"Mr. Royle," said he presently, "when we ran that smack down this morning, what were you for doing?"
"I should have hove the ship to," I replied, meeting his eyes.
"Would you have hove her to had you been alone on deck, sir?"
"Yes, and depended on your humanity to excuse me."