Page:Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates (1921).djvu/102

Rh into which he was already melted, what with his despair and his love, and his anger at this address, a man gone mad could scarcely be less accountable for his actions than was he at that moment. Hardly knowing what he did, he put his hand against Sir John Malyoe’s breast and thrust him violently back, crying out upon him in a great, loud, hoarse voice for threatening a young lady, and saying that for a farthing he would wrench the stick out of his hand and throw it overboard.

Sir John went staggering back with the push Barnaby gave him, and then caught himself up again. Then, with a great bellow, ran roaring at our hero, whirling his cane about, and I do believe would have struck him (and God knows then what might have happened) had not his manservant caught him and held him back.

“Keep back!” cried out our hero, still mighty hoarse. “Keep back! If you strike me with that stick I’ll fling you overboard!”

By this time, what with the sound of loud voices and the stamping of feet, some of the crew and others aboard were hurrying up, and the next moment Captain Manly and the first mate, Mr. Freesden, came running out of the cabin. But Barnaby, who was by this fairly set agoing, could not now stop himself.

“And who are you, anyhow,” he cried out, “to threaten to strike me and to insult me, who am as good as you? You dare not strike me! You may shoot a man from behind, as you shot poor Captain Brand on the Rio Cobra River, but you won’t dare strike me face to face. I know who you are and what you are!”

By this time Sir John Malyoe had ceased to endeavor to strike him, but stood stock-still, his great bulging eyes staring as though they would pop out of his head.

“What’s all this?” cries Captain Manly, bustling up to them with Mr. Freesden. “What does all this mean?”

But, as I have said, our hero was too far gone now to contain himself until all that he had to say was out.

“The damned villain insulted me and insulted the young lady,” Rh