"That's nothing to do with me. I didn't start the water tanks."
"I obey orders, and don't argue with any one; but there's an old saying that a man is known by the company he keeps, and I suppose a boy is, too."
The steward passed on, and refused to answer any more questions.
"If we can't have coffee, give us some water," said Lindsley.
"Water is water," replied the steward.
The rebels were hungry, and they ate, though very sparingly, of the unpalatable food which was set before them. Like most other boys belonging to "the first families," they did not relish corned beef at any time; and that before them, though of excellent quality, was very salt, having been a long time in the brine. They partook of the beef and the hard bread simply because there was nothing else with which to satisfy their hunger. Some of them wanted to "make a row" about the fare; but Peaks was a very formidable obstacle in the way of any such demonstration. They ate what they could, rather than what they wanted, and retreated to their mess-rooms.
"Well, what do you think now?" said Lindsley, as he threw himself into his berth.
Raymond only shook his head and grated his teeth.
"I think we are sold, and the sooner we back down, the better," added Lindsley.
"I won't back down!" snapped Raymond, savagely.