? ? ? ? It was a challenge, but Smoke refused to accept it.
? ? ? ? 'About what?' he asked so innocently that Wolf Larsen was disconcerted, while the others smiled.
? ? ? ? 'Oh, nothing,' Wolf Larsen said lamely. 'I just thought you might want to register a kick.'
? ? ? ? 'About what?' asked the imperturbable Smoke.
? ? ? ? Smoke's mates were now smiling broadly. His captain could have killed him, and I doubt not that blood would have flowed had not Maud Brewster been present. For that matter, it was her presence which enabled Smoke to act as he did. He was too discreet and cautious a man to incur Wolf Larsen's anger at a time when that anger could be expressed in terms stronger than words. I was in fear that a struggle might take place, but a cry from the helmsman made it easy for the situation to save itself.
? ? ? ? 'Smoke ho!' the cry came down the open companionway.
? ? ? ? 'How's it bear?' Wolf Larsen called up.
? ? ? ? 'Dead astern, sir!'
? ? ? ? 'Maybe it's a Russian,' suggested Latimer.
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