Sure enough, the canoes were making off towards Otter Creek.
In the marvelously clear light it was easy to see the threatening arms
held out towards the ship by a few men who stood upright. Even their
raucous cries were yet audible. Courtenay was glad he had not missed
this demonstration of hatred. It argued the necessity of continued
watchfulness.
The general attitude of the crew was one of real annoyance that the
fight had not been carried on at close quarters. They had heard a good
deal of noise and yelling, the starboard squad had experienced the
thrill of having a man fall dead in their midst, but, with the
exception of Tollemache and the Chilean marksman, the main body of the
defenders took no part in the fray and saw but little of it. And it is
one of human nature's queer proclivities that it seeks rather than
shirks a combat when the loins are girt for the smiting.
Walker, though eager to return to his lathe, was no exception to the
rule. He looked a trifle discontented when the captain found him
unscrewing the engine-room hatch.
"That was a pwetty poo-aw scwap, sir," said he.
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