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Rh, as kind and considerate as the captain was rough and brutal. How he had shipped with such a beast was a mystery, but it did not concern me and I did not bother my head about it. On three occasions I had seen the captain attack Dawson, but each time the mate had escaped and refused to take up the quarrel. In the meantime the second mate and the men grumbled a good deal, but so far no open rupture had occurred among the forecastle hands.

"You let go of that arm," I said, as I found Captain Kenny's harsh face poked out close to my cheek.

"I'll let go when I'm done with you, not afore!" he went on, with increasing wrath. "Call me a drunkard, will ye!" And he gave the arm a savage twist that hurt not a little. "On board o' my own ship, too!"

"If I did I only spoke the truth," I said steadily. "You drink altogether too much for the good of those on board. We are going to have a big storm soon, and you ought to have your wits about you, if you want to save the Dart from going down."

"I know my business, boy—ye can't teach it me nohow! Take thet fer talkin' to me in this fashion!"

Releasing my arm, he aimed a heavy blow at