“I have seen fit to issue an order that everybody should go on the ice from 11 to 1, and your coming in the cabin and remaining for twenty minutes is a violation I will neither submit to nor permit you to continue. I have noticed for several days that you were longer than necessary in logging the noon observations, and today I satisfied myself on the subject.”
“Oh, very well,” said Collins contemptuously, “if you are satisfied, of course I have nothing more to say. But you are doing me a great injustice!”
That was too much for De Long, who as captain prided himself on even-handed justice for all hands. Whatever his ideas were before, he now changed his mind.
“Mr. Collins, as I have recently shown you, a representation to me of injustice has only to be made in proper language to secure you all the justice you want. But I do not like your manner or bearing in talking with me. You seem to assume that you are to receive no correction, direction, or dictation from me; that your view of an occurrence is always to be taken; and that if I differ from you, it is my misfortune, but of no importance to the result!”
At this Collins blazed up.
“Well, I don’t like the manner you speak to me either, nor the way in which I am taken to task!”
De Long looked calmly at him.
“I am your commanding officer, Mr. Collins. I have a perfect right to say what I say to you.”
But this Collins would evidently not admit. In a fiery tone, he shot back,
“I acknowledge only the rights given you by Naval Regulations!”