Explore "American Boys Afloat" by Oliver Optic on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Captain Ringgold was a powerful man, fully six feet high, and weighing one hundred and eighty pounds, while his assailant, though nearly as tall, was slender in form, and not a strong man. Doubtless he was brave, for he held high rank in the army of Morocco, though he was usually absent on furlough. It was very rash and injudicious for him to attack the commander. He had "caught a Tartar," and he had found it out.
The magistrate did not seem to be impressed by the title or the elegant costume of the Pacha, perhaps because the latter was dabbled with mud, and his handsome face was liberally spattered with the same unsightly element. The commander was lofty in his manner on such an occasion, and full of dignity; and he did make a decided impression on the court and the spectators. He said but little. He had been attacked without any provocation whatever, and he had defended himself.