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But let that go, Wolf Larsen continued. You may have very good reasons for forgetting your name, and Ill like you none the worse for it as long as you toe the mark. Telegraph Hill, of course, is your port of entry. It sticks out all over your mug. Tough as they make them and twice as nasty. I know the kind. Well, you can make up your mind to have it taken out of you on this craft. Understand? Who shipped you, anyway? McCready and Swanson. Sir! Wolf Larsen thundered. McCready and Swanson, sir, the boy corrected, his eyes burning with a bitter light. Who got the advance money? They did, sir. I thought as much. And damned glad you were to let them have it. Couldnt make yourself scarce too quick, with several gentlemen you may have heard of looking for you. The boy metamorphosed into a savage on the instant. His body bunched together as though for a spring, and his face became as an infuriated beasts as he snarled, Its a - A what? Wolf Larsen asked, a peculiar softness in his voice, as though he were overwhelmingly curious to hear the unspoken word. The boy hesitated, then mastered his temper. Nothin, sir. I take it back. And you have shown me I was right. This with a gratified smile. How old are you? Just turned sixteen, sir, A lie. Youll never see eighteen again. Big for your age at that, with muscles like a horse. Pack up your kit and go forard into the focsle. Youre a boat-puller now. Youre promoted; see? Without waiting for the boys acceptance, the captain turned to the sailor who had just finished the gruesome task of sewing up the corpse. Johansen, do you know anything about navigation? No, sir, Well, never mind; youre mate just the same. Get your traps aft into the mates berth. Ay, ay, sir, was the cheery response, as Johansen started forward. In the meantime the erstwhile cabin-boy had not moved. What are you waiting for? Wolf Larsen demanded. I didnt sign for boat-puller, sir, was the reply. I signed for cabin-boy. An I dont want no boat-pullin in mine. Pack up and go forard. This time Wolf Larsens command was thrillingly imperative. The boy glowered sullenly, but refused to move. Then came another stirring of Wolf Larsens tremendous strength. It was utterly unexpected, and it was over and done with between the ticks of two seconds. He had sprung fully six feet across the deck and driven his fist into the others stomach. At the same moment, as though I had been struck myself, I felt a sickening shock in the pit of my stomach. I instance this to show the sensitiveness of my nervous |
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