yours is hardly likely to try battering down this stout state-room
door."

"Correct. And I'm a trifle too thick in the middle to think of
crawling through the state-room window."

"And if," the supercargo continued, "you have any idea of calling the
engine-room on that speaking tube and soliciting aid from Mr. Reardon,
please be advised that for the present Mr. Reardon has been relieved
from duty in the engine-room."

"So you've got Reardon locked up, too?" Murphy queried. "Well! Well!
I'd hate to think of being locked up and that man Reardon free.
However, you need not have worried. I'd die before I'd ask that fellow
for help--and he'd die before he'd give it."

"So I understand from the first mate. However, I thought it prudent to
guard against a temporary truce and an alliance for the common
interest."

"Dutchy," said the skipper, "you're pretty smart."

Von Staden smiled most companionably. "I also took the precaution to
remove some weapons from your apartment."

"Take anything from me, Dutchy, except my honor, my pipe and tobacco,
and my ship. Take any one of those four, however, and may the Lord
have mercy on your soul. Please hand me that book entitled _Backwood's
Surgery_ till I see what's good for a broken rib; then send the
steward for my breakfast order. After that--well, after that you might