"Of course not," responded another middy; "not a coward, only a little bit scared like. No wonder, you are only a child."
"I'm nearly as old as you," retorted Jack.
"Are you? I'm an officer in the United States navy, while you are too young to be enrolled."
So they rallied Jack, and he became indignant.
Something worried him.
No one imagined in his heart that Jack was afraid, but boys like to tease each other, and even middies are no exception to the rule.
An old quartermaster watched Jack closely.
"What is the matter, Jack?" he asked kindly.
"I would like to see the captain before going into action."
"You shall, my boy. Come now."