Jumping up, I faced him again, only to undergo a repetition of the
flooring process; when, seeing that I with my boy's strength was no
match for him as yet, and losing my temper quite as much as he had done,
I seized a large snatch-block which was lying by on the deck close to my
hand, hurling it at his head with all my force.
The mate started back in terror, for the missile only missed him by half
an inch, and if it had struck him would most certainly have killed him
on the spot, although I did not think of that when I pitched it at him;
and, just at that moment, I heard Captain Billings' voice behind us.