t had better be attended to. I shall have such a big
ear to-morrow that they will not have me on deck."

"Worse cauliflower ear than you gave Bill Kester," laughed Sam. "We'll
look into this business in the morning. We shan't have time to-night,
I'm sorry to say."

On their way to the sick bay, where they were hurrying to have the
wound dressed, the boys were obliged to pass the quarters of the
master-at-arms, the minor official who is responsible for the behavior
of all hands on shipboard.

Ere Dan could protest, Sam had rapped on the door casing, and an
instant later was dragging his companion in through the curtained
doorway.

"Now what do you think of that, sir?" exclaimed the red-headed boy.

"Seaman Davis got hurt, eh?" questioned the petty officer, noting the
blood on Dan's cheek.

"Yes, sir. I am on my way to see the surgeon. If I have to be a few
moments late in reporting for hammocks, will you excuse me?"

"Certainly. I will give you a half hour's leeway. How did you get
that wound?"

"Somebody handed him a marline spike, sir," interrupted Hickey.

"A marline spike?"

"Yes, they did."

The master-at-arms turned inquiringly on Dan.

"Is this true?"

Dad nodded half reluctantly.

"Tell me how it occurred."

The boy did so briefly.

"You have no idea who threw the spike?"

"Not the slightest, sir."

"Where were you, Hickey?"

"Below, writing a letter. I knew nothing about it, until my chum came
below and I saw the blood on his face."

"Have you any enemies on board?"

"Not that I know of, sir."

"Was anyone except yourself on deck at the time?"

"Yes; a few of the men were asleep further forward. I saw no one
moving about."

"Come with me."

The master-at-arms conducted Dan to the surgeon, where a quick
examination was made of the wound, after which the surgeon dressed it
and put in several stitches. Dan did not even wince, though the pain
was severe. Sam's face was pale, and the perspiration stood out on his
forehead as he watched the stitching of the ragged ear-lobe.

"Anybody would think you were being operated upon by the looks of you,"
laughed Dan.

"I feel as if I were," answered Sam rather weakly.

The wound attended to, the petty officer directed the boys to follow
him, which they did, going directly to the forward deck.

"Show me where and how you were standing at the time of the accident,
Davis."

Dan took the place, as nearly as he could, where he h