And even Le Hir was there, a half-witted fellow from the island of Sein, whom they had brought as a laughing-stock, and who was drinking refuse mixed with his bowl of rum. And, to complete the tale, two sea-rovers, two blacklisted, deserters from every flag, old acquaintances of Yves', who had found them, that evening, on the beach and, out of kindness, brought them along. It was to celebrate the feast of Saint Epissoire, the patron saint of the topmen, that they had foregathered here, and custom required that I should put in an appearance among them, as navigating officer. For a year past they had not put foot on land. And the Commander, who was well satisfied with his crew, had permitted them, as being the most meritorious, to celebrate as in France the anniversary of their patron saint. He had selected this town of Yé, because it seemed to him the least dangerous for us, the people there being more inoffensive than elsewhere and more easily appeased. In this room, which was large and low-pitched, with paper walls, there was, at the same time as us, a band of sailors from an American merchantship, who were drinking with sandy-haired, long-toothed women escaped from the brothels of British India. And these intruders annoyed the topmen who wanted to be alone and let them see it. _Eleven o'clock._ The candles had just been renewed in the coloured lanterns, and outside the Siamese town was asleep in the warm night. Inside one felt that trouble was brewing, that arms and fists were itching for a fight. "Who are these fellows?" said one of the Americans, who spoke with a Marseilles accent. "Who are these Frenchies who come here to lay down the law? And that one who is with them"--this was meant for me--"the youngest of them all, who gives himself airs and seems to be in command?" "That one," said Yves, with the air of one who did not deign to turn his head, "that one--any one who touches him will need to be a man!" "That one!" said Barrada. "Do you want to know who he is? Wait a moment and we will tell you, without troubling him to speak for himself; and you will see, my boys, _if that will enlighten you!_" Yves had already hurled at them his Chinese stool, which had burst the wall just above their heads, and Barrada, with a first blow, had knocked over two of them. The others overthrown in turn on top of the first two, all struggling on the ground. Kerboul began to belabour the mass unmercifully with his table, scattering over his enemies the debris of his fifteen glasses. Then we heard outside the sounding of gongs and the ringing of bells, rustlings of silk and shrill little laughs of women. And the dancing-girls entered. (The topmen had asked for dancing-girls.)