The berth was then cleared away for a fight, and in a quarter of an hour my opponent gave in; but I suffered a little, and had a very black eye.

I had hardly time to wash myself and change my shirt, which was bloody, when I was summoned on the quarter-deck.

When I arrived, I found Mr Falcon walking up and down.

He looked very hard at me, but did not ask me any questions as to the cause of my unusual appearance.
"Mr Simple," said he, "I sent for you to beg your pardon for my behaviour to you last night, which was not only very hasty but very unjust.

I find that you were not to blame for the loss of the men." I felt very sorry for him when I heard him speak so handsomely; and, to make his mind more easy, I told him that, although I certainly was not to blame for the loss of those two men, still I had done wrong in permitting Hickman to leave the boat; and that had not the sergeant picked him up, I should have come off without him, and therefore I _did_ deserve the punishment which I had received.
"Mr Simple," replied Mr Falcon, "I respect you, and admire your feelings; still, I was to blame, and it is my duty to apologise.