"Yes, sir," said the mate, and he turned in to get a snooze before it was his turn to go on watch again. Jordan walked into the saloon, and was passing the partners like a ship in full sail passing some mud-barges, when he was pulled up by Sloggett.
"Captain Jordan, Mr. Butterworth has been knocked down by the second mate."
"Oh, has he?" asked Jordan.
"Yes, I have," roared the unfortunate man who had not got his apology out in time to save himself. "Yes, I 'ave, and when we get to Gibraltar I'll 'ave 'im in jail as sure as I'm one of the owners of this vessel."
Jordan was perfectly reckless, and cared nothing by now for any of them. He laughed, and walked on towards his cabin.
"Ain't you goin' to do nothin' about it?" asked Shody.
"Nothin'," said the skipper. "Serves the measly little swine right. I hope Mr. Cade will serve the lot of you the same way before we get to Capetown."
With that shot, which clean hulled them and made them quiver, he went into his cabin and slammed the door upon them.
