“How’d you know I was in a fight?” demanded the seaman in a surly tone.

“Your face answers that question. Who was it?”

“Hickey.”

“The recruit?”

“Yes.”

There was a quizzical look in the eyes of the master-at-arms. That a bully of Kester’s reputation should have been used up in this manner by a raw recruit was somewhat of a surprise to him.

“What did he hit you with?”

Bill hesitated.

“What did he hit you with?”

“A deck swab.”