Pete Deveaux was inwardly very nervous, although he was careful not to show it.  Had Paul not been so much younger, Deveaux would probably have made some excuse to back out of the fight.  As it was, he had a sneaking hope of getting the better of Paul, now that the youth's friends had agreed not to interfere.  He also hoped to injure the boy so badly in the encounter that he could not take his turn operating the Sky-Bird for the rest of the journey; at least, cripple him enough to delay his party in getting away from the island.