THE COLONEL SPEAKS HIS MIND
At the sound of Colonel Ellison’s familiar voice Norman Redfern, whittling a piece of wood in the cabin, sprang to his feet and stepped out on deck.
The sudden appearance of the Colonel was quite the greatest surprise he had experienced in many a day; and when he saw a half dozen boys, this was still another.
“See here, Redfern,” thundered Colonel Ellison, with an emphatic wave of his arm, “what do you think of yourself? Such a miserable piece of conduct; such a downright, underhanded scheme of paltry revenge is beyond my comprehension. I could have the law on you!”
“Why—what have I done?” stammered Norman, altogether taken aback by the sudden attack, and embarrassed by the snickers of the students.
“What have you done—you have the audacity to stand there and calmly ask me that? Well——” the Colonel brought his right fist down in the palm of his left hand with a resounding smack, and glanced at the group of boys, as if to say, “Just listen to that.”
“He’s got his nerve with him, all right,” said Bates, unable to conceal his pleasure.
If there was any row under way, Bates could be depended upon to help it along.
“I will tell you, then,” stormed Colonel Ellison. “When you found your whines and wretched excuses were of no avail——”
“Pardon me, Colonel Ellison, I made no excuses,” interrupted Redfern, his face flushing.