The dark-faced apprentice had spun himself about until he was just opposite the open doorway, a few paces from it, when Hickey uttered a loud grunt and hurled himself upon his opponent. At that moment, Flink’s back chanced to be toward Hickey. Sam landed in the small of the other’s back with irresistible force. Flink shot toward the door, the apprentices setting up a howl, followed by a cheer. But their merriment died on their lips. Lieutenant Commander Devall, the executive officer of the station, attracted by the noise in the drill hall, had hurried down the walk to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. His trim, white-clad figure appeared in the doorway, just as Louis Flink was making his flight. Flink hit the executive officer with great violence, the two landing on the cement walk outside, with the apprentice on top. Beyond the narrow walk was a steep bank leading down almost to the water’s edge. On over the bank rolled the apprentice and the lieutenant commander, each making desperate efforts to save himself. It was a most undignified position for a lieutenant commander to find himself in, to say nothing of the unpleasantness of going over a bank with a raw apprentice on top of one. “They’re over!” shouted a voice. Dan sprang forward to the quartermaster, saluting. “May I go over and help them, sir?” “Yes. Make haste.” Dan sprang out through the doorway and down the bank. CHAPTER VI—IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE “A nice mix-up. There’ll be an awful row about this,” muttered Dan, as he slid down the steep bank on his feet. When he reached the bottom, Flink, the apprentice, still bore the greater part of his weight upon the officer. “Here’s my chance,” decided Dan. Springing to his feet, he grabbed Flink by the collar with both hands. Giving him a violent tug, Flink came away, Dan hurling him to one side with surprising strength. “May I help you, sir?” he asked courteously. The officer did not answer, but there was an angry gleam in his eyes. Dan proceeded to brush him off, using the sleeves of his own jacket for the purpose, while the officer stood still until the brushing was finished. He then stepped back and saluted. “Thank you, my lad. Are you the one who is responsible for this?” “No, sir.” “Who is?” “The men were holding a cock-fight under orders, sir.” “Ah, I see. Who is that apprentice?” “I believe his name is Flink, sir.” “Who threw him out?” “My friend, Hickey, sir.” “Very well; you may go.” Dan made his way around the base of the embankment, and a few moments later joined his companions in the drill hall, where he saluted his superior, fell in and began his practice work once more. Sam’s face was as solemn as he could make it. Flink, on the contrary, when he rejoined the squad, was scowling angrily. He was dust-covered, his face smeared and altogether he presented a most ludicrous sight.