turning to the captain

Montgomery and his companion turned as he spoke. ‘What do you mean?’ I said. ‘That way, Mister Blasted Shut-up,—that’s what I mean!

Overboard, Mister Shut-up,—and sharp! We’re cleaning the ship out,— cleaning the whole blessed ship out; and over- board you go!’

I stared at him dumfounded. Then it occurred to me that it was exactly the thing I wanted. The lost prospect of a jour- ney as sole passenger with this quarrelsome sot was not one to mourn over. I turned towards Montgomery.

‘Can’t have you,’ said Montgomery’s companion, con- cisely.

‘You can’t have me!’ said I, aghast. He had the squarest and most resolute face I ever set eyes upon.

The Island of Doctor Moreau��

‘Look here,’ I began, turning to the captain. ‘Overboard!’ said the captain. ‘This ship aint for beasts

and cannibals and worse than beasts, any more. Overboard you go, Mister Shut-up. If they can’t have you, you goes overboard. But, anyhow, you go—with your friends. I’ve done with this blessed island for evermore, amen! I’ve had enough of it.’

‘But, Montgomery,’ I appealed. He distorted his lower lip, and nodded his head hope-

lessly at the grey-haired man beside him, to indicate his powerlessness to help me.

‘I’ll see to you, presently,’ said the captain. Then began a curious three-cornered altercation. Alter-

nately I appealed to one and another of the three men,— first to the grey-haired man to let me land, and then to the drunk- en captain to keep me aboard. I even bawled entreaties to the sailors. Montgomery said never a word, only shook his head. ‘You’re going overboard, I tell you,’ was the captain’s refrain. ‘Law be damned! I’m king here.’ At last I must con- fess my voice suddenly broke in the middle of a vigorous threat. I felt a gust of hysterical petulance, and went aft and stared dismally at nothing.

Meanwhile the sailors progressed rapidly with the task of unshipping the packages and caged animals. A large launch, with two standing lugs, lay under the lea of the schooner; and into this the strange assortment of goods were swung. I did not then see the hands from the island that were receiv- ing the packages, for the hull of the launch was hidden from me by the side of the schooner. Neither Montgomery nor

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