"I gave it to Paul, all except five dollars." "I don't believe you. Empty your pockets." Julius did so, but only five dollars were found. Marlowe was badly disappointed. Fifty dollars would have been of essential service to him, and they had dwindled to five. "What business had you to give the money to him?" he demanded, harshly. "I was afraid I might lose it." "Give me the five dollars." Julius reluctantly handed the bill to his enemy, who thrust it into his pocket. "Now," said he, seizing Julius by the shoulder with a dark and menacing look, "I'll give you a lesson you'll remember to the last day of your life." He threw Julius upon the ground, and was about savagely to kick the helpless boy, who would in all probability have died from the brutal treatment he was likely to receive, when he was seized by the collar, and sent whirling backward by a powerful hand. "Avast there, you lubber!" said the sailor, who had felt it time to interfere. "What are you about?" Marlowe turned furiously upon his unexpected assailant. "I'll soon let you know, if you don't leave here pretty sudden. What business is it of yours?" he said, furiously. "It's always my business," said the sailor, manfully, "when I see a big brute pitching into a youngster like that. I ain't the man to stand by and see it done." "He wants to kill me. Don't let him," implored Julius. "That I won't, my lad. He'll have to kill me, too, if that's what he's after. He'll find me a tough customer, I reckon." "This is my boy. I shall beat him as I please," said Marlowe, angrily. "I am not his boy," said Julius, fearing the sailor would credit the statement. "Don't you be afraid, my lad. If you were his boy ten times over, he shouldn't beat you while I am by." Marlowe was terribly enraged. He saw his victim slipping from his grasp just as he was about to glut his vengeance upon him. He was a man of violent passions, and they got the better of his prudence. "Stand back!" he shouted, advancing toward the intrepid sailor, "or I will serve you and the boy alike." "I'm ready," said the other, coolly, squaring off scientifically. Marlowe aimed a heavy blow at his head, which, had it taken effect, would have prostrated and perhaps stunned him. But it was warded off, and a counter blow returned, which took better effect. Marlowe staggered under it, but it only maddened him. Half-blinded, he rushed once more upon his opponent, but received a well-directed blow full in the chest, which stretched him at the sailor's feet. The latter forbore to take an unmanly advantage of his foe's position, but calmly waited for him to rise. "Do you want more?" he asked, coolly. Marlowe, had he been wise, would have desisted, but he was filled with a blind, unreasoning rage, and advanced again to the attack. But he was no match for the stout sailor. He fared this time no better than before, but again was stretched at the sailor's feet.