Lieutenant Cantor, erect and stern, faced Captain Gales, who looked
the sterner of the two.

"Ensign Darrin," began the battleship's commanding officer, rising,
"most serious charges have been preferred against you, sir!"




CHAPTER X

DAVE IS STUNG TO THE QUICK


Ensign Darrin bowed, then awaited further communication from his
commanding officer.

"It was particularly set forth in the orders," resumed Captain
Gales, "that any form of conflict was to be avoided by the expedition
of which you commanded a part, was it not?"

"It was, sir," Darrin admitted.

"And yet, by the report which Lieutenant Cantor has turned in,
you opened fire on Cosetta and his band and have returned to ship
with two men killed and four men wounded. Is that report correct?"

"It is, sir," admitted the young ensign, "with one exception."