Gordon Young

“ Smith was at him with an oath and a flourish. Brundage, with a backward sweep of his left hand to clear onlookers, thrust out an arm and knife in a fending blow.
Voices cried protest. The glint of loosened steel makes a man's nerves rattle together, and in the sudden push to stand clear as blows flashed, the sailors jostled and shoved the fighters. The quarters were too close for men who, as much as they wanted to see the knife-play, dreaded the gleam of blades that might bite into them. A knife that wants blood has a wide mouth. ”

“ Though it was still day outside, the shadowing spread of canvas had increased the deck-house gloom, and a lantern threw off a dirty yellow glow. Brundage, his lean face outlined against the glow, looked down evilly.
Smith cursed him. The human animal, not less than the brute, must snarl and fight at the least hint of an offer if he would hold his place among the pack; and though men fight to the death for life, they throw their lives like dice at the flicker of an insult. ”

“ The mate's watch had taken the deck at eight o'clock. Brundage and Smith were in it.
There was clustering of men in the dark splotches of sail shadows and low talk of what was coming. Word had got about. The starboard watch, instead of turning in and getting a little sleep, waited restively.
Bets were made on which man would live. The little gambler, Dicer, plunged with much of the winnings from his crooked dice to put blankets, shirts, knives and things, all on Smith. He was a thin-nosed, scrawny, rat-like fellow, and jeered and bullied men who had nothing to bet.
McGuire silenced him. ”