"Sir, if I had not fought, I would have lost my entire command,"
Darrin answered, with an indignation that he could not completely
veil.

"Ensign Darrin," came the sharp rebuke,

"You have disobeyed the orders of Captain Gales, which were repeated
by me just before we parted company. Did your fire hit any of the
Mexicans?"

"I think we must have done so, sir," Dave returned dryly. "Several
of them lay down, at all events."

"Any losses in your own command?" pressed Cantor.

"Two men killed and four wounded."

"The consequences of disobedience of orders, sir!" cried Lieutenant
Cantor, angrily. "Ensign Darrin, I am certain that you should not
have been entrusted with the command of a launch."

"That sounds like a reflection on the Captain's judgment, sir!"
Dave rejoined, rather warmly.

"No unnecessary remarks," thundered Cantor. "I shall not place you
in arrest, but on our return to the ship I shall report at once your
flagrant disobedience of orders."

Darrin did not answer, but the hot blood now surged to his head,