“Do you mean to insult me?”
“I am not going to try to do that, Gebauer. It would probably be too much of a job.”
“Say, I guess you don’t know who you are talking to!”
“I do know. And if you think you can intimidate me, you are mistaken.”
“My, but you are getting on your high horse!” sneered Gebauer. “I must say you are showing your poorhouse training.”
“What’s that?” and now a sudden flash of fire came into Dave’s eyes and he caught the other lieutenant by the arm.
“You let go of me, Porter!” and Gebauer shrank back in sudden alarm.
“I won’t let any one talk to me like that,” said Dave, firmly.
At that moment came an unexpected interruption. There was a call from above the trench, and several officers appeared, including the major of the command to which Gebauer belonged. Those below at once saluted, and there the sudden quarrel came to just as rapid a termination. But Gebauer glared bitterly at our hero as the latter took his departure.
This meeting upset Dave for the rest of the day—so much so that he could hardly attend to his duties. Phil and Roger, as well as Ben, noticed this, and during their time off in the evening he told his chums of what had occurred.