I was not so
much hurt as I might have been; still, as I did not like the treatment I
was receiving, I tried to get out of my tormentor's way, and in doing so
fell over the chain flat on the deck, striking my nose in a way which
made the blood flow pretty quickly. He not noticing this gave me
another whack, which hurt more than all the others, as it was on the
part most exposed, and was about to repeat it, when I heard a voice say
"Hold fast there, Dan; enough of that. The boy hasn't been on board an
hour and you must needs get foul of him."

"Who are you that's afther spakin' to me in that way? Sure, if, I'm not
mighty mistaken, you're only an apprentice yourself," exclaimed Dan, in
an angry tone.

While he was speaking I crawled along the deck out of his way, and
looking up, I recognised my acquaintance on board the steamer, Andrew
Medley, who replied calmly, "Whether or not I am only an apprentice,
I'll not stand by and see a young boy ill-treated who hasn't strength to
defend himself."

The ruffian laughed hoarsely, but when he saw the blood streaming down
my face as Medley assisted me to get up, he looked somewhat alarmed, for
he remembered that we were not yet at sea, and that although he might
then treat me much worse with impunity it would be prudent to avoid the
risk of being summoned before a magistrate for an assault.

"Are you much hurt, Jack?" asked Medley, as he led me aft.

"Only my nose bleeds; though the last cuts that man gave me were not
pleasant," I replied.

"If that's all, come below and we'll soon get you set to rights with
some cold water," said Medley. "I am glad I came in time to save you
from tasting more of Dan Hogan's colt. Though a bully, he is a good
boat-steerer, so the captain keeps him on, but, for my part, I think the
ship would be better without him."

"I should have been so, at all events, just now," I remarked, and I went
down with Medley to the half-deck.

With the help of a sponge and some cold water I was soon put to rights,
and except that I felt an unpleasant sensation in the back I was not
much the worse for the beating I had received. The first mate, Mr
Renshaw, however, who had heard of my performance from Hogan, quickly
sent for me, and after scolding me for my carelessness, ordered me to
draw a bucket of water. "I'll find something for you to do, depend on
that, youngster," he observed, and he was as good as his word.

I was not over successful in carryin