Explore "In Ship and Prison" by William P. Chipman on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Clenching his fist as he came, he struck at me with all his tremendous strength, and, had he hit me, I am certain I should have been killed, but I was on the alert, and jumped to one side in time to avoid the blow. At the same instant the wind came again with great violence, the brig suddenly lurched, and my assailant pitched headlong against the starboard rail, striking his head with a force that knocked him senseless. The fact that he was attacking me did not prevent my hastening to his assistance. But quick as I was, another was before me. It was the first mate. He had come on deck in time to witness the skipper's fall, and was already kneeling over the unconscious man when I reached his side. Tearing open the Captain's waistcoat, he placed his hand over the heart, announcing a moment later:
"He's only stunned, Master Dunn. I'll have him taken down below, and do all I can for him. But you'd better keep out of his way for a while, and he may forget the whole affair. " Then rising, he directed two of the sailors to carry him down into the cabin. "Liberate Bill," he added as he turned to follow them.