"
"Then I can only reply that it would have made no difference if I had
removed all the provisions."
"You appear to forget that I am your superior officer," said the
captain in a heat.
"I had no superior officer at the time I ordered the removal."
"You have now, at any rate."
"We are not at sea, Captain Hill. The vessel is wrecked, and all
distinctions are at an end. Now it is each for himself."
"So, sir, you defy my authority!" exclaimed the captain, looking
black.
"I don't recognize it, that is all."
"You shall, sir!" retorted the captain, frowning. "You shall learn,
also, that I have means to enforce it. I have nearly a dozen seamen
under me, and you have only the boy, Jack Pendleton."
"Captain Hill, all this is very foolish. We are ship-wrecked, and have
taken refuge on the same island. Instead of quarreling, we should help
each other."
"So you presume to lecture me!" sneered the captain.
Mr. Holdfast didn't care to continue the dispute.
"I am ready to help you remove what you require," he said, quietly.
"It will be well to remove as much as possible today, for we may at
any time have a storm, that will effectually put an end to our work."
"Very well, sir; I am glad you show a better spirit."
The mate was both annoyed and amused at this evident intention to
throw upon him the whole onus of the quarrel, but he did not care to
reply.
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