After the first sensations inseparable from a sea-voyage were overcome, the saloon passengers began to fraternize, and among the most popular in the smoking-room was Signor Bambino. Four days after leaving Liverpool, the Erin encountered severe weather; the decks were swept by the sea fore and aft, and for six hours the hatches were battened down. When the storm ceased, the passengers came on deck once more and enjoyed the calm of the evening. Jack and Bambino played eucher until midnight, when the Italian threw down the cards. "I have had enough of it, if it is all the same to you," he exclaimed. "But you have lost heavily," said Jack. "Bah! what is that? to-day we lose, to-morrow we win. It is only a trifle, after all." "As you please," replied Jack. "Let us take a stroll on deck," continued the Italian. "With all my heart." They quitted the saloon and went on deck, which the quick eye of Bambino saw was deserted. A thick mist had arisen, and though the captain was on the bridge his form could not be distinguished. The phosphorescent pathway in the wake of the big ship gleamed and scintillated. "How beautiful," remarked Jack. "Yes," replied Bambino. "It looks like a sea of fire. One might walk on it." "I should not like to try," Jack said, laughing. "Suppose you do make the effort." At these words of Bambino, Jack turned half round sharply, and faced him squarely. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "Precisely what I say," rejoined Bambino. They were standing at the stern of the ship, right behind the wheel-house. "Who are you, and what do you want of me?" inquired Jack, who became suspicious. "I have a fancy to throw you into the sea." "Madman!" "Yes, if you like. I am peculiar at times. Come! how do you like the look of this?" As he spoke, Bambino drew a long knife and made a thrust with it at Harkaway. The latter stepped back quickly, receiving the point of the knife in the fleshy part of his right arm. It was merely a graze and did not cause him any serious inconvenience, but it served to put him on his guard. Being unarmed himself, he concluded that his best course would be to grapple with his assailant, which he accordingly did, dashing the knife from his grasp by a lucky hit and placing himself more on an equality with the cowardly assassin. The struggle that ensued was short, sharp and decisive, for the superior strength of the robust Englishman soon told on the effeminate Italian, who, deprived of his knife, was not very dangerous. Jack threw him on the deck and pinned him by the throat. "Villain," he cried, "what was your object in attacking me?" Bambino made no answer. "Tell me," continued Jack, "or I'll strangle the life out of you!" He compressed his fingers mere tightly and the assassin's eyes started from their sockets, while his face assumed a purple hue. "Speak, speak!" persisted Jack. A gurgling sound came from the man's mouth, and he made signs that he was being stifled.