Telson thereupon taunted his adversary with "funking it," and went at him again, very showy in action, but decidedly feeble in execution.

King, by keeping one arm over his face and working the other gently up and down in front of his body, was able to ward off most of the blows aimed, and neither aspired nor aimed to hit out himself.
The "fight" might have lasted a week had not Game, coming up that way from the boats, caught sight of it.

As it was neither an exciting combat nor a profitable one, the Parrett's monitor considered it a good case for interfering, as well as for calling in the authority of the popular captain.
"King and Telson," he said, stepping between the combatants, "stop it, and come to Bloomfield's study after chapel.

You know fighting in the `Big' is against rules." "What are we to go to Bloomfield for ?" demanded Telson, whose temper was still disturbed.
"For breaking rules," said Game, as he walked on.
"Shall you go ?" said Telson to King as the two slowly put on their coats.
"Yes, I suppose so, or he'll give us a licking." "I shan't go; he's not the captain," said Telson.
"I say, you'll catch it if you don't," said King, with apprehension in his looks.

"They're always down on you if you don't go to the captain when you're told." "I tell you he's not the captain," replied Telson, testily, "and I shan't go.