"Why," returned Jack, "they are some of Blackett's men. They tried to
shove us from our berth here, after we had made fast, and bring in
their big schooner over there. Some of 'em are vexed, 'cos 'tis said
there'll be no work for 'em soon. Your father's taking a lot of
Blackett's trade, you see."

"Did they begin, Jack, or did you?"

"Begin? Why, it was a kind of mixed-up job, I reckon. We'd both had a
drop of Christmas ale, you see--a drop extra, I mean--and--why, there
it was."

"Well, you'll be sailing for London in a day or two," said George.
"See that you keep out of the way of Blackett's men, or you'll find
yourself in the lock-up and lose your place."

Then he walked away.

Mr. Fairburn was annoyed when he heard of the incident.

"I don't like it, George," he said. "There's no reason why there
should be bad blood between Blackett's men and mine; but if they are
going to make disturbances like this I shall have to take serious
steps, and the coolness between Blackett and me will become an open
enmity. 'As much as lieth in _you_,' says the Apostle, 'live peaceably
with all men;' but there's a limit, and if Mr. Blackett can't keep his
men in order, it will come to a fight between us."

The brig started in a couple of days for London, in fulfilment of an
important contract that had for years fallen to Mr. Blackett, but now