“Just you keep out of his way as much as you can. When a man gets as full as he does, he’s apt to be dangerous.” “Thank you, sir; I will.” Among the spectators of the scene just described, the most panic-stricken, probably was Montgomery Clinton, the Brooklyn dude. After the captain had gone below, he walked up to Harry, whom he regarded with evident admiration. “I say, you’re quite a hero. I was awfully frightened, don’t you know, when that big bully aimed at the sailor boy.” “You looked a little nervous, Mr. Clinton,” said Harry, smiling. “You were awfully brave, to knock the pistol out of his hand. I don’t see how you dared to do it.” “I didn’t stop to think of danger. I saw that Jack’s life was in danger, and I did the only thing I could to save him.” “I’m glad you’re not put in irons. It must be awful to be in irons.” “I don’t think I should like it, though I never had any experience. You’d have stood by me, wouldn’t you, Mr. Clinton?” Clinton was evidently alarmed at the suggestion. “Yes, of course,” he said, nervously; “that is, I would have gone down to see you on the sly. You wouldn’t expect me to fight the captain, don’t you know.” Harry could hardly refrain from smiling at the idea of the spindle-shaped dude resisting the captain; but he kept a straight face as he answered: “I look upon you as a brave man, Mr. Clinton. When I get into trouble, I shall be sure to call upon you.” “Oh, certainly,” stammered Clinton. “But I say, Mr. Vane, I hope you’ll be prudent; I do, really. Captain Hill might shoot you, you know, as he tried to shoot the sailor boy just now.” “If he does, Mr. Clinton, I shall expect you to interfere, You are not as strong as the captain, but a bold front will go a great way. If you threaten to--to horsewhip him, I think it might produce an effect upon him.” “Really, my dear Mr. Vane,” said Clinton, turning pale, “I don’t think I could go as far as that.” “I thought you were my friend, Mr. Clinton,” said Harry, reproachfully. “So I am, but I think you are, too--too bloodthirsty, Mr. Vane. It is best to be prudent, don’t you know. There’s that Yankee, Mr. Stubbs; he would do a great deal better than I. He’s stronger, and older, and--you’d better speak to him, don’t you know.” “A very good suggestion, Mr. Clinton,” said Harry. “I am afraid I should fare badly,” thought our hero, “if I depended upon Clinton to stand by me. He isn’t of the stuff they make heroes of.” Twenty-four hours passed before Captain Hill reappeared on deck. Meanwhile Harry had received congratulations from all the passengers on his display of pluck, and from some of the sailors besides. In fact, if he had not been a sensible boy, he might have been in danger of being spoiled by praise. But he answered, very modestly, that he had only acted from impulse, actuated by a desire to save Jack, and had not had time to count the consequences.