`` i only said - well , i said something back , which i should rather not repeat ; and then he - `` martin stopped , and looked somewhat confused as to how to finish the story without seeming to accuse reynolds again , and finished lamely , `` at any rate , sir , he was on the point of offering me a challenge , and that was when blythe knocked him down ; he only did it because he knew i could not fight , and did not want to see me have to refuse in front of the sailors ; truly , sir , it is my fault , and not his . ''