"You are a cowardly bully," he said calmly. "But I understand you. My card, sir; I am at your service." As he spoke, he extended a bit of engraved pasteboard. Captain Tyler took it, handed it to one of his friends, and gave his name, adding:-- "I trust that you will meet me on the beach under the west fort to-morrow morning at nine o'clock." "Can you make it earlier?" "Certainly; at eight, then." The Englishman laughed as he moved off with his companions. "Be on hand, my young monkey jacket; I should hate to be turned out so early for nothing." "Never fear," was Bainbridge's return. "Oh, Joseph, what have you done?" wailed little Raymond, suddenly. "They will never let you off the ship, and we've broken orders, and are in a frightful mess." [Illustration: "'I observed it,' said the Lieutenant."] "I'm not going on board again, Sammy; I'm to meet that bully, and I will do it. It's either disgrace or death, and I'm reckless now. But run along, you; leave me to myself." "I shall stay if you do," replied Raymond, stoutly. "It will never be said that----" "Come, young gentlemen, 'tis about time you were making for the boat. Commodore Preble's orders were very strict; don't forget them." The speaker was a tall, graceful young man, wrapped in a long watch-cloak. It was Stephen Decatur, the First Lieutenant, and the idol of the ship. He descended the few steps from the entrance to the lobby, and continued as he acknowledged the midshipmen's salute:-- "Come, let's all be moving--stir your stumps now, Mr. Raymond." As they reached the archway of the pier, Bainbridge held back. "Come, Mr. Bainbridge, a word with you," said Decatur, taking the lad kindly by the arm. He was but five or six years the senior, but his manner was almost fatherly. "Have you anything to tell me?" "Yes, sir. I have broken orders." "I observed it," said the Lieutenant. "Have you anything else to say." "Yes, sir; unless you insist, I'd rather stay on shore to-night." "You will return to the ship." "Very good, sir." In silence the party was rowed back, and in silence they climbed the side and came on deck. Then the First Lieutenant spoke. "Mr. Bainbridge, wait on deck here until my return." "What's up, Raymond?" asked the lads as soon as they had gone below to the steerage where they swung their hammocks. "Did Bainbridge have a row, after all? What's going to happen?" "Don't ask me," was the reply; "you know as much as I do." Raymond concluded that it was best to keep mum on the subject, and with this he tumbled into his hammock.