Quickly over the crowd he had run his eyes, and he discerned with intuition that his retort had put him in favor with some of those who were lovers of fair play.
He had turned the laugh upon Midshipman Dillingham, and he was satisfied and content to drop all ill-feeling.
But not so with the irate cadet.
His own attempt at smartness had gotten him worsted thus far, and he must turn the laugh to protect himself from his own comrades.
He knew well the position he held, that many stood in awe of him on account of his brute strength and admitted courage.
Now he was angry, and he intended to resent physically what he felt he could not do in a war of words.
So he squared himself before Mark Merrill, and hissed forth, while his eyes blazed with anger:
“Retract your insulting words, sir, or I shall chastise you right here!”
“Do you mean it, mate?” Mark asked, in an innocent way.
The crowd smiled audibly at this, and Winslow Dillingham grew whiter with fury, while he savagely said: