“Doesn't that part need loosening up a bit, sir?” asked the cadet in charge of the engineer division.
“Yes,” replied Hastings, after watching a moment; “it does.”
“I'll do it, then,” proposed Truax, roughly. He attempted to crowd his way past Hal, but the latter refused to be crowded, and stood his ground until the midshipman passed him a wrench. Then Hastings loosened up the part.
“You might let me do a little something,” growled Sam Truax, in a tone intentionally offensive.
“Don't forget, Truax, that I'm in command in this department,” retorted Hal, in a quieter tone than usual, though with a direct, steady look that made Sam Truax turn white with repressed wrath.
“You won't let me forget it, will you?” snarled the fellow.
“No; for I don't want you to forget it, and least of all on this cruise,” responded Hal Hastings.
[pg 146] “You don't give me any chance to—”
“Silence!” ordered Hal, taking a step toward him.
Sam Truax opened his mouth to make some retort, then wisely changed his mind, dropping back into his former seat.