Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/219

 “W'ot's th' matter? Who bloodied your bloomin' eyes? W'ot 'appened?”

“That Hamerican chap!” bawled Galton savagely. “'E 'it me for 'elpin' 'im make a fire! Goin' to see me run over an' killed?”

“Faith Oi didn't see nawthin',” panted Malone, fresh from his dance

“Won't you stan' by a Hinglishman?” shouted the battered one.

“Sure we will!”

“We're Hinglish!”

“Le's 'lect 'nother hofficer an' court martial 'im!” bawled the sailor venomously.

“Sure, make 'im walk a plank!”

“Son of a shark!”

“Man-killin' crimp!”

The whole crew came lurching around toward Madden, filled with the wordy anger of intoxicated men.

The American arose to his feet with little emotion save a return of his old disgust. He knew he could defend himself from any assault the crew might make in that condition. But they made none. They stopped a little way from him, some drunkenly grave, others