Three or four friends of the
wounded man rushed upon Brandon; whereupon Mary screamed and began to
weep, which of course told the whole story.
A great laugh went up, and instantly a general fight began. Several of
the gentlemen, seeing Brandon attacked by such odds, took up his
defense, and within twenty seconds all were on one side or the other,
every mother's son of them fighting away like mad.
You see how quickly and completely one woman without the slightest act
on her part, except a modest effort to be let alone, had set the whole
company by the ears, cutting and slashing away at each other like very
devils. The sex must generate mischief in some unknown manner, and
throw it off, as the sun throws off its heat. However, Jane is an
exception to that rule--if it is a rule.
The officers soon put a stop to this lively little fight, and took
Brandon and Mary, who was weeping as any right-minded woman would,
down into the cabin for consultation.
With a great oath Bradhurst exclaimed: "It is plain enough that you
have brought a girl on board under false colors, and you may as well
make ready to put her ashore.
Pages:
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363