“No!”
“Bill, Bill, don’t be a grouch—don’t be a sorehead. Dynie licked you fair and square,” urged one of the man’s companions.
“I’ll even up with you for this, you—you cub!”
Dan drew himself up proudly.
“Very well. I have tried to do the manly thing. If you refuse to have it that way, it surely is not my fault. But I give you fair warning. Keep away and let me alone hereafter. Until you are willing to make friends, I want nothing more to do with you. When you are, I shall be glad to meet you half way.”
“That’s the talk, Dynie,” chorused several voices approvingly. “You had better not fool with the fire any more, Bill. It burns. You ain’t in the same class with that stick of dynamite. He’s got you anchored with both port and starboard anchors and the chains not half out.”
“Please do not stir him up,” begged Dan. “I am ashamed of myself for what I have done as it is.”
“What? Ashamed for licking the ship’s bully?”
“Yes.”
“Well, ain’t that a joke, mates?”