the ever-throbbing ocean. Tom
Thornton's agent soon followed us. He walked up and down the uneasy
deck; and occasionally glanced at me. I thought he had something to say
to me; but he evidently did not like my close intimacy with Mr.
Solomons. During the day, I occasionally saw him, and he always appeared
to be watching me; but I carefully avoided him. On the following day,
however, I went forward to the bow alone.

"Passengers not allowed forward of that mark," said a sailor, pointing
to a chalk line drawn across the deck. "You are fined, sir."

"What for?" I asked.

"For crossing the line."

"Why don't you put up a notice, so that passengers need not cross it?" I
demanded.

"Because they wouldn't go over the line if we did, sir."

"How much is the fine?"

"Anything you please, sir."

It was a practical joke, one of Jack's tricks, and I paid the fine, amid
the laughter of half a dozen passengers, who had already been made
victims. As I retreated, I encountered E. Dunkswell. He looked sour and
savage.

"I want to see you," said he, gruffly.

"I don't want to see you," I replied, continuing on my walk aft.

"You have insulted me," he persisted, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Insulted you!" I replied, pausing; for I was curious to know in what
manner I had insulted so vile a creature as he was.

"You have insulted me!" he repeated.

"You said that before. How?"

"You exchanged berths with that old chap you run with."

"I don't know that it concerns you if I did."

"It was the same as saying that I am not fit company for you," said he,
shaking his head.

"If it was, it was also saying that you were fit company for Mr.
Solomons," I replied; and I regarded this as a clincher in the line of
argument.

"It was not my pleasure to room with him."

"It is not my pleasure to room with you," I added.

"I consider your conduct as an insult to me, and I hold you responsible
for it."

"All right," I replied, cheerfully. "Hold away."

"If the old fellow don't go back to his room, there'll be a row."

"The old fellow will do as he pleases about that," I added; "but whether
he does or not, I shall not return to your room. I would sleep on the
main truck first."

"Do you mean to insult me again?"

"Insult you again!" I exclaimed, indignantly, for my blood was up at the
idea of a fellow like him putting on such airs. "No decent man could
stay in the room with you, as you were the first night."

"Wha