“Hurrah,” cried Balliot, “we are saved.  You are a brave man, Captain.”

“I didn’t ask you to speak,” retorted Kettle.  “We aren’t out of the wood by a long chalk yet.”

“But we are out of their fire now.  We shall be disturbed no further.”

“No, my lad, but we’ve got a precious heap of disturbing to do on our own account before we’ve squared up for this tea party.  I’m going to drop down stream to somewhere quiet where we can fill up with wood, and then I’m coming back again to give your late Tommies bad fits.”

“But I don’t authorize this.  I didn’t foresee—­”

“Very likely not.  But a fat lot I care for that.  Fact remains that I’m skipper here, and I’m going to do as I think best.  I’ve got it in mind that my two engineers and a lot of good niggers have been shot by those disgusting savages over yonder, and I don’t permit that sort of thing without making somebody pay a pretty steep bill for the amusement.  So I’m going down stream to wood up, and then we’ll come back and make them pay for the tea party.”

“You are exceeding your powers.  I warn you.”

“If any of my inferiors on board ship don’t keep their heads shut when they aren’t spoken to,” said Kettle unpleasantly, “I always disarrange their front teeth.  If I have any more palaver from you, you’ll get to know what it feels like.”  He shouted up the companion way—­“On top there, quartermaster?”

“Hullo?” said Clay.

“Keep her down river to M’barri-m’barri.  That’s a twelve-mile run from here.  There are two big cotton woods in a line which will bring you to the landing.  You know the channel?”

“I ought to.  I’ve been up and down it times enough.  But I guess I don’t—­at least, not now.”

“Fuddled again, are you?  Then I’ll con you from here.  You see three trees growing on that island bang ahead?  Keep her on those.”  He turned to a couple of stalwart niggers at his side—­“Say, you boys, you lib for top, one-time.  You take dem Doctor’s gin-bottle, and you throw him overboard, one-time.  If dem Doctor he make palaver, you throw him overboard too.  Away with you now.  By James! we got to get discipline in this ship somehow, and I’m a man that can teach it.  Here, you black swine at that furnace, go slow with those logs, or we won’t be able to steam her half-way.”

He bustled about the little vessel, turning every soul on board to some employment or other; and those of the newcomers who did not know his wishes, and were not quick enough for his taste, received instruction in a manner which is understood by men all the world over, be their skins black, or white, or yellow.

The process might not be very pleasant for those who came in contact with it, but it was very effective for the purpose aimed at.  In sea parlance Kettle had to “break up” some half-dozen of them before all hands acquiesced to his dictatorship; but they were quick to see there was a Man over them this time, and involuntarily they admired his virility even while they rubbed ruefully at their bumps; and during the times of stress that came afterward, none of these Africans were so smart to obey as those on whom their taskmaster’s hand had originally come heaviest.