"He didna care to sail again wi' such a crowd as Peter gathered round him." It was a very unadvised speech.

Ragon lifted it at once, and in the words which followed John unavoidably found himself associated with Sandy Beg, a man whose character was of the lowest order.

And he had meant to be so temperate, and to part with both Peter and Ragon on the best terms possible.

How weak are all our resolutions! John turned away from Peter's store conscious that he had given full sway to all the irritation and disappointment of his feelings, and that he had spoken as violently as either Peter, Ragon, or even the half-brutal Sandy Beg.

Indeed, Sandy had said very little; but the malignant look with which he regarded Peter, John could never forget.
This was not his only annoyance.