“Ah! then you are the commandant’s cook, so should know; but as I never argue with servants, I’ll seek your master.” And Mark Merrill started on his way, when with a bound Winslow Dillingham confronted him, his face livid with rage. CHAPTER XIV. FACING THE MUSIC. The quick retort made by Mark Merrill to Winslow Dillingham’s insulting words brought a general laugh, for the cadets were quick to appreciate wit and sarcasm, even if directed at one of their number. Cadet Dillingham had offered the insult gratuitously, and he had gotten a reply that offended him deeply. The laugh of his comrades angered him the more, and stung by the words of the stranger and their enjoying them, he lost all control of himself, and sprang before Mark Merrill in a threatening attitude. Mark had not advanced a step since landing. He stood upon the wall where he had stopped upon ascending from his boat, and he simply paused to ask a polite question, and received an insulting response. The first insult he had accepted in silence, but the second one he had been stung to reply to. He saw at once that he would have to fight his way--that whatever the “future admirals” might be considered by outsiders, they were merciless to a stranger who came into their midst. Quickly over the crowd he had run his eyes, and he discerned with intuition that his retort had put him in favor with some of those who were lovers of fair play. He had turned the laugh upon Midshipman Dillingham, and he was satisfied and content to drop all ill-feeling. But not so with the irate cadet. His own attempt at smartness had gotten him worsted thus far, and he must turn the laugh to protect himself from his own comrades. He knew well the position he held, that many stood in awe of him on account of his brute strength and admitted courage. Now he was angry, and he intended to resent physically what he felt he could not do in a war of words. So he squared himself before Mark Merrill, and hissed forth, while his eyes blazed with anger: “Retract your insulting words, sir, or I shall chastise you right here!” “Do you mean it, mate?” Mark asked, in an innocent way. The crowd smiled audibly at this, and Winslow Dillingham grew whiter with fury, while he savagely said: “Yes, I do mean it. Ask my pardon, or take the consequences, sir!” “What are the consequences?” “A thrashing.” “Well, I don’t wish to be whipped, so if you retract your insult to me, I’ll ask pardon for what I said.” “I retract nothing.” “And you will insist upon thrashing me?” “Yes.” “What with?” This was too much for Cadet Dillingham, and he aimed a savage blow at Mark’s face. It was cleverly caught, and quicker than a flash Mark Merrill had seized the cadet in his arms and hurled him into the water with the words: “You are too hot to argue with, so cool off!” With a splash Cadet Dillingham went beneath the surface, when the cry arose: “He cannot swim a stroke,” and the laughter on every lip was checked.