"Well, this is pleasant; and it will be my duty to report your conduct to my superior officer. In command of this ship! Why, you don't know enough to lay off the course of the ship, or even to box the compass."
"I know enough to understand when I am treated like a gentleman. Change your manners, or I will order you to leave my cabin. You talk to me as though I were a small boy, and had nothing to do with the enterprise in which we are engaged," returned Corny.
"Do you expect me to obey your orders?" demanded the executive officer in a sneering tone.
"If you don't, I will send for the second lieutenant and a file of men to put you out of my cabin."
There was a silence for a few moments.
"This will never do, Passford," said the tyrannical officer.
"I don't think it will, Galvinne. Behave like a gentleman, and we shall have no difficulty," added Corny.
"Will you permit me to see your orders, Mr. Passford?" said the officer.
The breach was closed, and Corny produced the sealed envelope.