Read Books Online, for Free |
The Island of Doctor Moreau | H. G. [Herbert George] Wells | |
III. THE STRANGE FACE. |
Page 3 of 3 |
I think Montgomery might have left him then, seeing the brute was drunk; but he only turned a shade paler, and followed the captain to the bulwarks. "Look you here, Captain," he said; "that man of mine is not to be ill-treated. He has been hazed ever since he came aboard." For a minute, alcoholic fumes kept the captain speechless. "Blasted Sawbones!" was all he considered necessary. I could see that Montgomery had one of those slow, pertinacious tempers that will warm day after day to a white heat, and never again cool to forgiveness; and I saw too that this quarrel had been some time growing. "The man's drunk," said I, perhaps officiously; "you'll do no good." Montgomery gave an ugly twist to his dropping lip. "He's always drunk. Do you think that excuses his assaulting his passengers?" "My ship," began the captain, waving his hand unsteadily towards the cages, "was a clean ship. Look at it now!" It was certainly anything but clean. "Crew," continued the captain, "clean, respectable crew." "You agreed to take the beasts." "I wish I'd never set eyes on your infernal island. What the devil-- want beasts for on an island like that? Then, that man of yours-- understood he was a man. He's a lunatic; and he hadn't no business aft. Do you think the whole damned ship belongs to you?" "Your sailors began to haze the poor devil as soon as he came aboard." "That's just what he is--he's a devil! an ugly devil! My men can't stand him. I can't stand him. None of us can't stand him. Nor you either!" Montgomery turned away. "You leave that man alone, anyhow," he said, nodding his head as he spoke. |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
The Island of Doctor Moreau H. G. [Herbert George] Wells |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004