day I thought p'r'aps I'd let bygones be bygones, and I laid low for a
bit to see whether any of you deserved it. I went to sea to get
hardened--and I got hard. I've fought men that would eat you at a meal.
I've 'ad more blows in a week than you've 'ad in a lifetime, you
fat-faced land-lubber."

He walked to the door leading to the bar, where Bob was doing 'is best to
serve customers and listen at the same time, and arter locking it put the
key in 'is pocket. Then 'e put his 'and in 'is pocket and slapped some
money down on the table in front o' Charlie.

"There's a month's pay instead o' notice," he ses. "Now git."

"George!" screams 'is wife. "'Ow dare you? 'Ave you gone crazy?"

"I'm surprised at you," ses old Burge, who'd been looking on with 'is
mouth wide open, and pinching 'imself to see whether 'e wasn't dreaming.

"I don't go for your orders," ses Charlie, getting up. "Wot d'ye mean by
locking that door?"

"Wot!" roars Dixon. "Hang it! I mustn't lock a door without asking my
barman now. Pack up and be off, you swab, afore I start on you."

Charlie gave a growl and rushed at 'im, and the next moment 'e was down
on the floor with the 'ardest bang in the face that he'd ever 'ad in 'is
life. Mrs. Dixon screamed and ran into the kitchen, follered by old
Burge, who went in to tell 'er not to be frightened. Charlie got up and
went for Dixon agin; but he 'ad come back as 'ard as nails and 'ad a
rushing style o' fighting that took Charlie's breath away. By the time