“I know my rights,” snapped Cassidy, shuffling around belligerently, “and I’m going to hold out for ’em. I’ve been mate of the Grampus ever since she was launched. And now that the old man’s laid up, I ought to be master. This here Bob Steele hasn’t been on the submarine more’n two weeks, put together.”
“Did you hear Captain Nemo, junior, say that Bob Steele was to be put in charge of the craft?” queried Jordan.
“I heard it, but——”
“Did the rest of the crew hear it?”
“Yes, only they——”
“Everybody understands the situation, then?”
“I guess they do, if——”
“Then this is a case of all cry and no wolf. You’re making a fool of yourself, Cassidy, let alone showing mighty poor taste. Bob Steele is showing a whole lot more forbearance than I’d ever do, in the same circumstances. You made an attack on your commanding officer——”
“I don’t admit he’s that,” broke in Cassidy fiercely.
“Nonsense, man!” cried the consul, out of patience. “You’d admit it quick enough if you weren’t drunk.”