“Do you dare question my authority on my own ship?” thundered the irate commander.
“I don’t care whether you are captain of this ship or President of the United States,” said Roy boldly. “You shall not accuse me of either drinking or lying. I never touched a drop of liquor in my life and I am not a liar.”
“If you haven’t been drinking,” demanded Captain Lansford, “how did you get that black eye?”
“A man set on me and tried to rob me,” replied Roy.
“And you were sober and you let him hit you in the eye? Bah!”
“He hit me when I wasn’t expecting it,” explained Roy.
“And what did you do? Run? Or hand him your money?”
“I knocked him down,” said Roy grimly.
“It’s likely,” rejoined the captain. “Now go to your quarters and don’t ever let me hear of your drinking again.”
Anger flamed up in Roy’s heart. “Don’t you ever dare to accuse me of drinking again,” he cried hotly, taking a step toward his superior and looking him straight in the eye.