Part 14 (1/2)
”So far we've minded our own business and done all the work we could,”
he with the red nose said firmly; ”but because you've helped us off the key there's no reason why we should take all the airs these cubs choose to put on. After you've heard their story an' cooled down a bit we'll talk with you, but not before!”
Then with a swagger which was probably intended as a show of dignity the man went on deck, followed by his companions, just as Joe came below to see if his services were required.
CHAPTER XIII.
DEFIANCE.
It was some moments before the little party could discuss the apparently serious turn which affairs had taken, for Harry remained as he had fallen, and all their thoughts were centered on restoring him to consciousness.
A vigorous application of cold water soon had the desired effect, however, and in ten minutes after the self-invited guests went on deck he was apparently as well as ever, save for a big red lump under his left ear.
”Do you feel all right, now?” Bob asked as the boy recovered from the bewilderment caused by the blow and began hunting for the coffee-pot, which had rolled under one of the lockers.
”My ear aches pretty bad; but the rest of my body is sound enough, though it's hard to tell how long we fellers will be able to keep on our feet if those starving sailors stay aboard.”
”They'll go ash.o.r.e mighty quick if this kind of work is kept up. Tell us what you did that started 'em?”
”I don't know anything about it.” And Harry rubbed his sore ear gently to soothe the pain. ”Jim and I came when Walter screamed, and saw the red-nosed fellow pounding him. I was going to take his part with the coffee-pot, but before there was time to strike a blow one of them knocked me down.”
Then Walter gave a truthful account of all that had been said and done in the cabin, and Bob thought over the matter in silence several moments before speaking.
”It looks as if they wanted to know what there is below here,” he finally said half to himself. ”I mistrusted them from the minute they got into the yawl without takin' the trouble to shove her bow off, an'
if I ain't mistaken there'll be mischief done before this 'ere brig reaches port!”
”I suppose they think we can't get along without them--which comes pretty near being a fact--and so feel at liberty to ride a high horse,”
Joe suggested.
”They shall soon know that we'll lay aground all summer rather than let sich a crowd of sharks bully us!” Bob cried angrily. ”Come out with me, Joe, an' we'll settle this matter one way or the other mighty quick!”
”Keep your temper somewhere within soundings,” the engineer said soothingly, ”for they're three against two, and if it should come to a fight we might get worsted.”
”If I ain't a match for three sich lubbers as them I'll soak my head in the harness-cask.” And with this promise, which savored strongly of boasting, the old sailor went on deck, Joe joining him as he walked forward.
The strangers were lounging near the forecastle, apparently indifferent to the disturbance which had been made in the cabin. When Bob came on deck they glanced toward him as if there was no cause for angry thoughts, and then resumed their conversation.
”Don't be hasty, now!” Joe whispered. ”Talk the matter over calmly, to make sure Walter told the whole truth, and try to find out what they mean to do, before you threaten.”
Bob shook his head as if the advice was distasteful; but he followed it, nevertheless. Advancing until he stood opposite the men, he asked in a tone which to make sound calm required considerable effort:
”Will you explain what caused the trouble in the cabin just now?”
”I told one of them cubs to get out--they've got no right below--an' he yelled blue murder when I took hold of his coat to make him obey orders.
That brought one of the others, who tried to hit me with a coffee-pot,”
the red-nosed stranger said without hesitation. ”That's about all there is to it. We did jes' as you or your friend would do when a boy aboard s.h.i.+p was impudent.”
”Now see here,” and it could be plainly perceived that Bob was struggling to keep his temper within bounds, ”them lads are here by accident, an' two of 'em don't know what work is, yet they turn to like little men. I consider that they've got the same rights on this craft as I have, an' the man who tries to make 'em obey foolish orders is bound to have considerable trouble with me!”