Isles of the Sea by Oliver Optic

Possibly Tom Speers had finished his difficult problem in navigation, and was making his rounds of the deck of the ship; or possibly the coming of the shore-boat had been reported to him by the lookout, and he wished to assure himself that every thing about the steamer was all right: at any rate, the officer of the deck was there, just where the sprigs did not wish him to be.

"Ah, Sir Philip, I thought you had gone on shore some time ago," said Tom, as blandly as though there was no mischief in him.

"So I did go on shore, Mr. Speers; but I forgot this bloody carpet-bag, and I came back after it," replied the baronet, pointing to the piece of baggage in the hand of the assumed porter.

Speers looked at the bag, and then into the face of the porter, though Clinch turned away, and tried to avoid his gaze.

"Really, Mr. Clinch, I don't think you look so well in that dress as you do in your regular uniform," said Speers, with a pleasant smile.

At the same time he placed himself between the intended fugitive and the gangway. He looked as mild as one of the chaplain's lambs; and the Britons evidently did not regard his opposition as very serious.

"I will thank you to step out of the way, Mr. Speers, and allow his lordship and myself to get into the boat," said Sir Philip, rather brusquely.

"Certainly, Sir Philip; I have not the slightest objection to your getting into the boat," replied Tom, stepping aside so that the baronet could pass, but still remaining between Clinch and the steps.

"And that porter must carry my bag into the boat, and take it up to the hotel when he gets ashore," continued Sir Philip haughtily.

"I beg your pardon, Sir Philip; but the captain's order is, that no one belonging to the steamer shall be allowed to go on shore," interposed the officer of the deck.

"Into the boat with you, porter! " cried the baronet, who was disposed to carry his point, though he was entirely willing to part company with Clinch, whom he regarded as an undesirable companion for the proposed lark.

Clinch saw that his last chance was to make a rush into the boat, in which Lord Fillgrove had already seated himself. He made a desperate push to get by Tom Speers; but the officer promptly grabbed him by the collar, and crowded him back from the rail.

"Let go of him, or I'll break your bloody head! " exclaimed Sir Philip.

"I should be sorry to strike a baronet; but, if you do, there will be two bloody and broken heads in this vicinity," answered Tom quietly. "Mr. Clinch is an officer of the steamer, and he cannot leave her."

"But he shall leave her! " protested Sir Philip, blustering up to the officer of the deck.

"I think not. -- Winchell, pass the word for Mr. Shakings," added Tom, addressing one of the watch who had come up to see what the matter was.

"Pass the word for Mr. Shakings! " called Winchell, hailing the other seamen of the watch on the forecastle.

"Now's your time, Clinch! " shouted Sir Philip. "Into the boat with you before the big boatswain comes!"

Clinch threw the carpet-bag upon the rail, and rushed upon Speers, intent upon crowding him out of the way. But Tom was stout, resolute, and self-possessed; and he easily flung his adversary back. But the Briton on the deck was excited; and he went in to assist the porter. He struck Speers a heavy blow in the face, while he was engaged with Clinch; but, as soon as the mutineer was disposed of, Tom turned his attention to the sprig; and, with a well-directed hit on the nose, sent him over backwards, with his prominent facial organ bathed in gore. The victory was certainly with Tom Speers so far. But Clinch had picked himself up during this diversion, and was about to leap on the rail, when Shakings grabbed him by the collar.

"So you have got a new uniform, my beauty! " exclaimed the big boatswain, as he slung his prisoner back like a basket of bread.