him to report for change of watch.

Hastening down the passage-way Dave hung his sword on, then hastily
rummaged the suit case for a pair of white gloves that he had
previously tucked in there.

Hastening, he reached the deck just as the watch was being changed.
With quick step Ensign Darrin took his momentary post. Then,
when the old watch had gone off duty, Lieutenant Cantor turned
to his subordinate with a frown.

"Ensign Darrin, you made a bad beginning, sir," declared the new
watch officer, crisply. "In the future, I trust you will be more
mindful of the responsibility of an officer in setting his men
an example in punctuality. If this occurs again, sir, I shall
feel it my duty to turn in report of your negligence!"

Several men of the watch and two of the marine guard hoard this
rebuke administered. Dave Darrin's face flushed, then paled from
the humiliation of the rebuke. Yet he had been guilty of an actual
breach of discipline, minor though it was, and could not dispute
Cantor's right to reprove him.

"I very much regret my negligence, sir," Dave answered, saluting,
but he bit his lip in the same instant for he realized how thoroughly
his superior officer enjoyed the privilege of administering the
rebuke.

From inside Dan Dalzell heard the words.

At once, on the stroke of eight bells, the mess signal was hung
to the breeze. While that flag flew no one was admitted to the
battleship unless he belonged on board.

Then appeared a little Filipino mess servant, who asked Dave and
Dan to follow him to their assigned seats.

"Am I permitted to go to mess, sir?" Dave asked of Lieutenant
Cantor.

"Yes," was the short answer.

While the signal flew the sergeant of the marine guard was in
charge at the quarter-deck gang plank. There was no need of a
commissioned officer there.

To their delight Darrin and Dalzell found themselves assigned
to seats at the table together.

Lieutenant Trent stepped down, introducing the new arrivals to
the officers beside whom, and opposite whom they sat.

"I was sorry to hear you get that calling down," Dalzell whispered
to his chum, as soon as that was possible under the cover of the
conversation of others. "Why did Lieutenant Cantor seem to enjoy
his privilege so much?"

After a covert glance, to make sure that he was not in danger of
being overheard, Darrin replied, in an undertone:

"Lieutenant Cantor was the man of whom I told you last night."

"Not th