But Dave was glancing at him so coolly, compellingly, that the older midshipman now realized that he had gone as far as was safe.
During the rest of the drill Mr. Henley performed his work well enough to escape further rebuke.
When the crew was dismissed, however, Henley wore a blacker look than ever as he stalked along to the office of the officer in charge.
Here Henley picked up one of the report blanks, filled it out as briefly as possible, an signed his name, next turning in the report.
Immediately after supper that night, and before the signal sent the midshipmen to their studies, Henley stepped up to Dave.
"Mister, I want a word in private with you."
"Certainly, sir," replied Dave. He was no longer crew captain on duty, but a fourth class man answering a first class man.
Henley conducted Dave out of earshot of any one else before he turned to say, hissingly:
"Mister, you used an upstart's privilege of abusing your authority this afternoon."
"I think not, sir," replied Dave quietly.