."

Dave gazed so steadily at Midshipman Henley that the latter, though
he colored, took a more seamanlike attitude for a while. Bitter
thoughts, however, were seething in the mind of this first class
man. After a few minutes Henley again struck his improper attitude.

"Mr. Henley, upon your return put yourself on the report for taking
an unseamanlike attitude after having been once corrected," directed
Dave, in a businesslike tone.

The hot blood leaped to Henley's face and temples. He opened
his mouth, intent upon making a stinging retort.

But Dave was glancing at him so coolly, compellingly, that the
older midshipman now realized that he had gone as far as was safe.

During the rest of the drill Mr. Henley performed his work well
enough to escape further rebuke.

When the crew was dismissed, however, Henley wore a blacker look
than ever as he stalked along to the office of the officer in
charge.

Here Henley picked up one of the report blanks, filled it out
as briefly as possible, an signed his name, next turning in the
report.

Immediately after supper that night, and before the signal sent
the midshipmen to their studies, Henley stepped up to Dave.

"Mister, I want a word in private with you."

"Certainly, sir," replied Dave. He was no longer crew captain
on duty, but a fourth class man answering a first class man.

Henley conducted Dave out of earshot of any one else before he
turned to say, hissingly:

"Mister, you used an upstart's privilege of abusing your authority
this afternoon."

"I think not, sir," replied Dave quietly.

"You put me on report for no other reason than that I had made you
sing extracts from the 'Bazoo,'" charged the first class man.

"That reason or thought never entered my head, sir."

"I say it did!"

"Then I am very sorry to have to reply that you are entirely in
error."

"You tell me that I am making a false statement?" demanded Midshipman
Henley, more angrily.

"If you choose to consider it in that light, sir."

"Mister, you are touge, ratey, impudent and worthless!" declared
Henley hotly.

"Then I infer, sir, that you do not wish to waste any more time
upon me?"

"Oh, you will not get off as easily as that," sneered Midshipman
Henley. "You are a good-sized fellow, and you have some fourth
class reputation as a fighter. We shall not be so badly or unevenly
matched, mister, I shall send a friend to inform you that I have
called you out."

"Then, s