Clenching his fists and with the boxer's attitude, Pen aimed two swift blows at Darrin.
Neither blow reached, however, for Dave dodged out of the way. Then Darrin struck back, a straight, true, forceful blow that landed on the other midshipman's nose, knocking him down.
Pennington staggered somewhat when he rose, but he was quickly up, none the less, and ready for anything that might happen.
All of a sudden Dan Dalzell felt his own heart going down into his shoes. One of the ship's officers had just entered the passageway, in time to see what was going on.
CHAPTER IV
A LITTLE MEETING ASHORE
"Stop it, both of you," whispered Dan.
"Stand at attention, ready to salute the officer."
Pennington, with the blood flowing from his damaged nose, would have made a most ludicrous figure saluting!
The instant that he saw such evidence as Pen's nose presented the officer would be bound to make inquiries.
Then, just as surely, his next step must be to Border the three before the commandant of midshipmen.