e you capable of cooling down? Do you
wish to retract?--to apologize?"

"Apologize to you--you--"

Whatever the word was, it didn't get out, for in the same instant Darrin
cried warningly:

"Guard yourself!"

Midshipman Jetson threw up his hands, but Darrin's right fist landed
across his offending mouth with such force as to fell the sulky
midshipman flat to the earth.

CHAPTER XVII

AN AFFAIR OF SULKS

Having struck the blow, Midshipman Darrin stepped back, to give his
opponent an unobstructed chance to rise to his feet.

"What's this all about?" demanded Midshipman Hepson wonderingly.

"It's gone too far for talk, now," replied Dan Dalzell. "Wait until Darry
has put a new head on this idiot."

Jetson took his time about getting to his feet When he did rise he didn't
assume his guard at once.

"Well," asked Darrin coolly, but mockingly, "have you had all you can
stand, or are you going to back up your wild, crazy statements?"

Suddenly Jetson raised one of his feet quickly, as though to kick Dave in
the belt line.

"Here, stop that!" cried Hepson and Joyce in the same breath, as they
sprang forward. Darrin, seeing others interfere, didn't attempt to strike
back, but merely stepped aside.

That was the chance for which Jetson had been watching. His kick didn't
land; he hadn't intended that it should, but Dave's surprised recoil
gave the other the chance that he really wanted. Both of Jetson's fists
struck on Dave's nose, drawing a flood of the crimson.

"You coward! You cur!" gasped amazed Dalzell.

"Silence, all!" ordered Hepson, speaking by virtue of being a first
classman. "Jet is crazy, but he can't be expected to take up more than
one affair at a time. Darry, take your time to stop the flow of blood.
Then you can demand an accounting of Jetson."

"I've nothing more to say," remarked Jetson. "I was struck and I've
returned the blow with interest. That ends my concern in the affair. Good
night, all."

"Hold on!" ordered Hepson, bounding forward and laying a strong,
detaining hand on Jetson's shoulder. "You can't slip away like that.
Matters have gone so far that they'll simply have to go further. You'd
put yourself wholly in the wrong by withdrawing now--especially after the
slimy trick that you've played a fair opponent."

"Slimy, eh?" cried Jetson angrily. "Mr. Hepson, you and I will have to
have an accounting, too!"

"Oh, just as you like," responded the first classman, shrugging