'I am trying to do my duty, Captain Brown,' said Herrick, with a dark

flush, 'and I have the honour to inform you that I don't enjoy being

trifled with.'

'What in thunder do you want?' roared Davis. 'Go and look at the blamed

wake. If you're trying to do your duty, why don't you go and do it? I

guess it's no business of mine to go and stick my head over the ship's

rump? I guess it's yours. And I'll tell you what it is, my fine fellow,

I'll trouble you not to come the dude over me. You're insolent, that's

what's wrong with you. Don't you crowd me, Mr Herrick, Esquire.'

Herrick tore up his papers, threw them on the floor, and left the cabin.

He's turned a bloomin' swot, ain't he?' sneered Huish.

'He thinks himself too good for his company, that's what ails Herrick,

Esquire,' raged the captain. 'He thinks I don't understand when he comes

the heavy swell. Won't sit down with us, won't he? won't say a civil

word? I'll serve the son of a gun as he deserves. By God, Huish, I'll

show him whether he's too good for John Davis!'

Easy with the names, cap',' said Huish, who was always the more sober.

Easy over the stones, my boy!'

'All right, I will. You're a good sort, Huish. I didn't take to you at

first, but I guess you're right enough. Let's open another bottle,'

The Ebb-Tide