"I obeyed your orders, sir," rejoined Ned simply, knowing there was nothing to be gained by getting into an argument with an officer.
"Don't answer me, sir!" howled Kenworth. "Confound your impudence!"
"Oh, look here, Kenworth," remonstrated another midshipman. "It wasn't his fault. He told you it wouldn't do and you insisted."
"And got jolly well wet for your pains," came from one of the men at the oars in a low voice intended only for his mate's ears.
But Kenworth heard him, heard, too, the smothered laugh from the men, none of whom bore him any liking, his ways having made him the most unpopular officer on the ship.
"How dare you make such a remark to me, sir?" he demanded of Ned, choosing in his anger to make a victim of the man he disliked most.
"I said nothing, sir," rejoined Ned.
"That's right; he didn't utter a word," came from another midshipman.
"He'll sing a different tune at the mast to-morrow, insolent waterfront scum," gritted out Kenworth.