"There will be one thing about him that will be open, if he goes any further," retorted Dave, "and that will be his face when he collides with my fist."
"I hope I see that when it happens," grinned Dalzell. "It's bound to be entertaining!"
"Wait a second, then. Here comes Pennington now," murmured Dave Darrin in an undertone.
Pennington, in his immaculate blue uniform, like the chums, came strolling along the passageway between decks.
He affected not to see the chums, and would have passed by. But Dave, eyeing him closely, waited until Pen was barely three feet away. Then Darrin said tersely:
"Mr. Pennington, I wish an understanding with you."
"I don't want any with you," replied Pennington insolently, as he stared at Dave from under much-raised eyebrows. He would have gone by, but Dave sprang squarely in front of him.
"Just wait a moment!" warned Dave rather imperiously, for he was aglow with justifiable indignation.
"Well?" demanded Pennington halting. "Out with it, whatever you may think you have to say."
"I have two things to speak about," replied Dave, trying to control his voice. "In the first place, while going down the ladders to the furnaces this morning, you stepped on my shoulder."