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Rh to crack an ordinary man's skull. After the last bump Striker threw the man to one side, motioned to Larry, and both walked outside.

"Maybe that will teach him a lesson," muttered the Yankee sailor. "Hang those furiners, anyhow!"

"You have made an enemy of him for life, Luke," returned the boy. "Hereafter he'll try to do as bad by you as he has tried to do by me."

"Let him; we'll both be on our guard. But don't you go aloft with him again."

"I won't."

"And on second thought I don't know but what it will be jest as well not to speak to Captain Ponsberry about it. Let Oleson see that we can take care of ourselves, and he'll have more respect for us."

They were now called upon to shorten sail still more, and consequently the conversation had to come to an end. While taking in the fore-course and the mizzen-course Oleson came out to assist, but did not look at either of them.

Although it blew strongly all night, the storm was but an ordinary one, and by sunrise the next day the wind had fallen sufficiently to allow the