" Well , I 'd like to know what 's the matter with it ! " he demandeddemand, a trifle irritably .
I felt my heels and coat-laps peculiar subjects of assault ; and parryingparryoff the larger combatants as effectually as I could with the poker , I was constrainedconstrainto demanddemand, aloud , assistance from some of the household in re-establishing peace .
I answeredanswerin a few words , but in the most submissive manner , liftingliftup my left hand , and both my eyes to the sun , as calling him for a witness ; and being almost famished with hunger , having not eaten a morsel for some hours before I leftleavethe ship , I foundfindthe demandsdemandof nature so strong upon me , that I could not forbear showingshowmy impatience ( perhaps against the strict rules of decency ) by puttingputmy finger frequently to my mouth , to signifysignifythat I wanted food .