The particular officer was an ensign, and when the hour for the boxing match approached he was joined by a brother officer. They peered down on the active scene below with keen interest. Being in a deep shadow they were unobserved by the men on the forward deck.
Kester had not yet made his appearance, and the jackies shook their heads as they saw Dan strolling about, chatting and joking with a shipmate.
“That’s the fellow,” said one of the ensigns to his companion, at the same time pointing to Dan.
“Seems pretty light to match with a man of Kester’s build, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, that is what I think. The boy has a steady eye, however. He seems a likely lad, but of course he can’t win the match.”
“Wasn’t he up for something the other day?”
“No, that was his friend, Hickey. The latter got two days in the brig for a row with this same Kester. I heard the captain saying, this evening, that he doubted the boy’s being to blame for that after all. He has heard something since about that affair.”
“You aren’t worrying about it, are you?” laughed his companion.
“Not particularly. I do not like to see injustice done, just the same. I should not be fit to be an officer if I felt otherwise. There comes the other one, now.”
“The fellow Kester?”