“I went to the surgeon, sir, to get myself fixed up.” “You were not the aggressor in any way?” “Sir?” “You are quite sure you did not start the trouble?” “How could I, when my back was turned, sir?” “I did not ask you that; I asked you whether you were or not. Answer yes or no.” “No, sir.” “That will be all for the present. Samuel Hickey, step forward.” The Battleship Boy moved three paces to the front, looking the commanding officer squarely but respectfully in the eyes. “You have heard Kester’s story. What have you to add to it, if anything?” “I hardly think the story will stand any more adding to, sir,” replied the boy, with a faint smile. The captain appeared not to notice the subtle fling in Sam’s answer. “You will tell me, in as few words as possible, how the row started.” “We had finished scrubbing decks, sir. I had been seasick and was going forward on a run, carrying my deck swab. Somehow it caught this man between the legs and upset him, sir.” “How did he get the wound on his nose, if that is true?” “He must have hurt himself in falling.” The explanation sounded very lame to all who heard it, though, as the reader knows, it was wholly within the facts. “You mean to tell me you did not strike him at all?” “Oh, yes, sir, I struck him. I hit him as hard as I could.” “Where did you hit him?” “Plumb on the nose, sir.” “What excuse have you to offer for assaulting a man who already, according to your own admission, was injured?” “He called me a liar, sir; then afterwards he called me a coward. I couldn’t stand that, sir.” “Is that all?” “I think so, sir.” “Oh, why doesn’t he tell the captain about Kester’s having knocked him down,” groaned Dan, who had, from a prudent distance, been an interested listener to the examination. “You have admitted that you struck the man; you have admitted that you inflicted the wound which, it appears, is of more than ordinary seriousness, as it may cause his disfigurement for life.” Sam made no reply to this. None seemed to be called for under the circumstances. Somehow he felt that he had made out a very bad case for himself. He had told nothing but the truth, and not all of that, so far as his own vindication went, and yet he knew he had been placed in a false light. “I’m in wrong, but I’ve got no one except myself to blame for it,” thought Sam. The captain consulted with his executive officer for a moment. Then turning to the prisoner he said, gravely: “Hickey, you are guilty of a very serious breach of discipline. You are a new man on board ship. Were it not for that fact I should be much more severe. I am inclined to be lenient with you under the circumstances. You will understand that punishments are wholly impersonal. They are punishments because some rule has been violated. Discipline must be maintained.” “Yes, sir,” answered Sam meekly. “Silence!” warned the master-at-arms.