Donald did "shut up," and decided not to make any more talk with the captain, only to give him civil answers. Ordinarily he would as soon have thought of wrestling with a Bengal tiger as of carrying on a conversation with such a porcupine as his passenger, who scrupled not to insult man or boy without the slightest provocation. In a few moments the skipper tacked, having weathered the Head, and stood into the little bay west of it. "Don John," said Captain Shivernock, sharply, fixing his gaze upon the skipper. "Sir?" The captain took his wallet from his pocket. It was well filled with greenbacks, from which he took several ten-dollar bills--five or six of them, at least. "I will pay you," said he. "I don't ask any pay for this, sir. I am willing to do you a favor for nothing." "Hold your tongue, you fool! A favor?" sneered the eccentric. "Do you think I would ask a little monkey like you to do me a favor?" "I won't call it a favor, sir." "Better not. There! take that," and Captain Shivernock shoved the bills he had taken from his wallet into Donald's hand. "No, sir! I can't take all that, if I do anything," protested the skipper, amazed at the generosity of his passenger. The captain, with a sudden spring, grasped a short boat-hook which lay between the rail and the wash-board. "Put that money into your pocket, or I'll smash your head; and you won't be the first man I've killed, either," said the violent passenger. Donald did not find the money hard to take on its own merits, and he considerately obeyed the savage order. His pride, which revolted at the idea of being paid for a slight service rendered to a neighbor, was effectually conquered. He put the money in his pocket; but as soon as the captain laid down the boat-hook, he took it out to count it, and found there was fifty dollars. He deposited it carefully in his wallet. "You don't mean to pay me all that money for this little job?" said he. "Do you think I don't know what I mean?" snarled the passenger. "I suppose you do, sir." "You suppose I do!" sneered the cynic. "You know I do." "Fifty dollars is a great deal of money for such a little job." "That's none of your business. Don John, you've got a tongue in your head!" said Captain Shivernock, pointing his finger at the skipper, and glowering upon him as though he was charging him with some heinous crime. "I am aware of it, sir," replied Donald. "Do you know what a tongue is for?" demanded the captain. "It is of great assistance to one in talking." "Don't equivocate, you sick monkey. Do you know what a tongue is for?" "Yes, sir." "What's a tongue for?" "To talk with, and--" "That's enough! I thought you would say so. You are an ignorant whelp." "Isn't the tongue to talk with?" "No!" roared the passenger. "What is it for, then?" asked Donald, who did not know whether to be alarmed or amused at the manner of his violent companion.