Yes, and it was clear that Buckwheat was
watching to learn the outcome of this veiled refractoriness. For
that matter, the situation was not being missed by our keen-eyed
Asiatics, and I know that I caught Louis several times verging on the
offence of offering me advice. But he knew his place and managed to
keep his tongue between his teeth.
At last, yesterday, while I held the watch, Tom Spink was guilty of
spitting tobacco juice on the deck.
Now it must be understood that such an act is as grave an offence of
the sea as blasphemy is of the Church.
It was Margaret who came to where I was stationed by the jiggermast
and told me what had occurred; and it was she who took my rifle and
relieved me so that I could go aft.
There was the offensive spot, and there was Tom Spink, his cheek
bulging with a quid.
"Here, you, get a swab and mop that up," I commanded in my harshest
manner.
Tom Spink merely rolled his quid with his tongue and regarded me with
sneering thoughtfulness. I am sure he was no more surprised than was
I by the immediateness of what followed.
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