tonishment from the group of spectators, in the midst of which the
second man stepped to his companion's side.

"Get up, my lad," he cried. "Did he play foul?"

But there was no reply. The great fellow lay on the deck as if dead,
and when his companion raised his head it went heavily down again.

"Here, I can't stand this," roared the fallen man's companion. "You
played foul--you played foul;" and he rushed at Gunson and seized him,
the latter only just having time to secure a good grip of the attacking
party.

There was a fresh murmur of excitement, followed by a roar, as,
apparently without effort, Gunson threw his new opponent upon his back.

"Was that foul?" cried Gunson, as he stood over him; but the man made no
answer. He only got up slowly.

"Here, I want to help my mate," he said surlily; and there was a burst
of laughter, for the first fall had taken all desire out of him to try
another.

By this time the big fellow--Gully--gave signs of returning
consciousness, and sat up slowly to look about him, gently stroking his
head, and accepting the offer of a couple of hands as he rose to his
legs, and suffered himself to be led forward, while I turned my eyes now
to where Gunson was putting on his jacket.

"Are you hurt?" I said.

"No; only a bit strained, my lad. It was like wrestling with an
elephant. I was obliged to let him have his own way till he grew tired,
and then that old Cornish fall was too much for him."

"I'm very sorry," I said humbly. "It was all my fault."

"Yes," he said, laughing. "We ought to go different ways now. I can't
spend my time and strength in fighting your battles. There, I am going
to see for a bucket of water and a wash."

He went forward with one of the sailors, while as I turned, it was to
see the Chinaman looking at me in a curious way. But just then Esau
came between us.

"What did he say?" he whispered; "that we were going different ways
now?"

"Yes," I replied; "but I don't think he meant it. I hope not. Why,
Esau, what should we have done twice without him?"

"Well, he can fight and wrastle," said Esau. "It was quite wonderful to
see how he upset those two. And that's what I don't like, because if
he's so strong with those two big fellows, and can do just what he likes
with them, what chance should we have?"

CHAPTER TWENTY.

A STRANGE HOTEL.

We landed at a rough wharf at the mouth of the wide river, where a few
shanties and a plank w