No use making a disturbance about it.

Was there?
He waited upstanding, without a sound, stiffened in the idea of some sort of heroic discretion.

The first engineer ran cautiously across the bridge to tug at his sleeve.
'"Come and help! For God's sake, come and help!" 'He ran back to the boat on the points of his toes, and returned directly to worry at his sleeve, begging and cursing at the same time.
'"I believe he would have kissed my hands," said Jim savagely, "and, next moment, he starts foaming and whispering in my face, 'If I had the time I would like to crack your skull for you.' I pushed him away.
Suddenly he caught hold of me round the neck.

Damn him! I hit him.

I hit out without looking.