I fought your men for awhile, but I can't stand up against this." _VII .-- The Galley._ There was one man, however, who soon had reason to repent that the little man had been given his sword again.
Dark had fallen when M.de la Pailletine conducted him courteously over the frigate's side and across the deck of _L'Heureuse_ towards his own cabin.

Flinging the door open, he bowed, motioning Captain Barker to precede him.
As the hunchback entered, a figure rose from beside the table under the swinging-lamp.

It was Roderick Salt, who had been sitting there and sulking since the engagement began.
Captain Barker jumped back a foot and stared.
"_You!_" Captain Salt had been expecting the Commodore, and was waiting to pay him a dozen satirical compliments on the issue of the engagement.
Triumph shone in his eyes.

It went out like a candle-flame before a puff of wind.
"YOU!" In a flash the hunchback was running on him with drawn sword.
M.de la Pailletine, in a trice, interposing, knocked the blade up and out of his hand.

But he rushed on, and, dealing the traitor a sound blow on the face with his fist, began to kick and cuff and pummel him without mercy.
"Take him off--take him off!" gasped Captain Salt, but offered not the least resistance.
The Commodore, amused and secretly pleased, caught the little man in his arms and dragged him away by main force.
"Messieurs," he said, slipping between them, and still panting with the effort, "circumstances compel me to leave you together for a while.