But had he been a little more cautious it would have saved trouble, for the Malay had evidently been waiting as he heard steps, and as the door was opened he made a spring, dashed the doctor and captain aside, overset me, and, as the men gave way, reached the deck, where he ran right forward and then close up to the foremast, stood with his long knife or kris in his hand, rolling his opal eyeballs, and evidently prepared to strike at the first who approached.
"The dog! he has been at the spirits," growled the captain fiercely.
"Confound him! I could shoot him where he stands as easy as could be; but I arn't like you, doctor, I don't like killing a man.

Never did yet, and don't want to try." "Don't fire at him," said the doctor excitedly; "a bullet might be fatal.

Let us all rush at him and beat him down." "That's all very fine, doctor," said the captain; "but if we do some one's sure to get an ugly dig or two from that skewer.

Two or three of us p'r'aps.

You want to get a few surgery jobs, but I'd rather you didn't." All this while the Malay stood brandishing his kris and showing his teeth at us in a mocking smile, as if we were a set of the greatest cowards under the sun.
"Look here, Harriet," cried the captain; "you'd better give in; we're six to one, and must win.