Seeing Dave pull off his blouse, Treadwell slowly removed his own clothing above the waist.
"Rub me down along the arms a bit," said Midshipman Treadwell, after he had exercised his arms a moment.
"I reckon we'd better," nodded Conners. "You must have got stiff from standing still after the late mix-up."
"No kinks but what will iron out at once," chuckled Treadwell. "I'll show you as soon as I get in action."
His two seconds rubbed him down loyally.
"Are you ready, gentlemen?" called Midshipman Edgerton.
Both men stepped quickly forward, but all of the onlookers thought they saw rather more spring in Dave Darrin than in his more bulky opponent.
The preliminaries were announced in a few words.
Of course, there was no handshaking.
"Time!" sounded the call.