Then the sailors discovered that which set them wild with enthusiasm. Both of Kester’s eyes were blackened and rapidly swelling, and were almost shut. His lips were puffed out to twice their natural size and on the right side of his head he wore a “beautiful” cauliflower ear. Bill was dazed. He had been through many hard-fought battles, but never had he quite met with as sure and quick disaster as in the present instance. “I—I’ll fix you for this,” he snarled, getting to his feet, groping for the companionway, which he could not see, for by this time his eyes were shut by the swelling. “Why not do it now!” suggested Dan. “There is no time like the present, and besides we may not get another chance.” “I can’t see, or I’d——” “Let me help you.” To the amazement of the delighted jackies, Dan took the bully by the arm and courteously assisted him to the gun deck. “Here, you men,” he said. “Help Bill down to the sick bay. He’s just bumped into something hard.” Dan returned to the deck, where the sailors crowded about him to congratulate him, but Dan would have none of it. He got at his work as soon thereafter as possible, but he felt sure there would be trouble—that he would be disciplined for his action. “Anyway, I’ve got even for that blow he gave Sam,” muttered the lad. He was right in his surmise. Trouble did follow. Both Bill Kester and Dan Davis were called before the mast at one o’clock that afternoon. This time there were several witnesses, all of whom had volunteered to testify in behalf of the Battleship Boy. There were three petty officers among the number, and, to Dan’s surprise, two commissioned officers who had chanced to see the whole thing. Each assured the captain that Davis had acted purely in self-defense. The captain consulted Kester’s record and nodded his head. “I sentence you to three days in the brig on bread and water, with no full rations during that time,” announced the captain. “The next time I will make it thirty days.” “Davis,” he continued, turning to Dan, “I am fully satisfied that you acted wholly in self-defense. No marks will be placed against you.” Secretly the captain was well pleased that the bully had gotten such a sound drubbing. The man’s face was a sight. The plasters over the nose plainly located the spot where Sam Hickey’s fists had landed, while the eyes, lips and “cauliflower” ear testified to the power of Dan Davis’s muscular punches. “Remember, however, Davis, that fighting is discouraged aboard ship. Fighting will be severely dealt with in all instances. Providing a man is acting in self-defense, with no fault on his own part, that fact will be considered in passing upon any disturbance that he may become involved in. You understand thoroughly, do you not!” “Yes, sir,” answered Dan, saluting. “You are a new man. Be guided wholly by your officers. When in doubt consult them.”