"Two men killed and four wounded."
"The consequences of disobedience of orders, sir!" cried Lieutenant Cantor, angrily. "Ensign Darrin, I am certain that you should not have been entrusted with the command of a launch."
"That sounds like a reflection on the Captain's judgment, sir!"
Dave rejoined, rather warmly.
"No unnecessary remarks," thundered Cantor. "I shall not place you in arrest, but on our return to the ship I shall report at once your flagrant disobedience of orders."
Darrin did not answer, but the hot blood now surged to his head, suffusing his cheeks. He was deeply humiliated.
"Young man, if you call that good sense," rumbled the deep voice of John Carmody, "then I don't agree with you. You condemn Darrin——-"
"Who is speaking?" roared Lieutenant Cantor.
"My name is John Carmody," returned the planter, coolly.
"Then be good enough to remain silent," commanded Cantor.
"Since I'm on a government boat," retorted the planter, "I suppose I may as well do as I'm ordered. But at some other time I shall air my opinion of you, young man, as freely as I please."