“Davis,” he continued, turning to Dan, “I am fully satisfied that you acted wholly in self-defense. No marks will be placed against you.”
Secretly the captain was well pleased that the bully had gotten such a sound drubbing. The man’s face was a sight. The plasters over the nose plainly located the spot where Sam Hickey’s fists had landed, while the eyes, lips and “cauliflower” ear testified to the power of Dan Davis’s muscular punches.
“Remember, however, Davis, that fighting is discouraged aboard ship. Fighting will be severely dealt with in all instances. Providing a man is acting in self-defense, with no fault on his own part, that fact will be considered in passing upon any disturbance that he may become involved in. You understand thoroughly, do you not!”
“Yes, sir,” answered Dan, saluting.
“You are a new man. Be guided wholly by your officers. When in doubt consult them.”
Kester was led away to the brig to serve his sentence. Sam heard them coming along the corridor. Stepping to the door of his cell he peered out through the grating. A grin spread over his face as he caught sight of the woebegone figure of Kester.
“Hello, Bill,” he jeered. “Who have you been thumping?”
The bully made no reply, and a moment later the cell door clanged behind him.
CHAPTER XVI—RECEIVING A CHALLENGE
“No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle. “Water too rough. If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”