D the office. Lieutenant Cantor, erect and stern, faced Captain Gales, who looked the sterner of the two. "Ensign Darrin," began the battleship's commanding officer, rising, "most serious charges have been preferred against you, sir!" CHAPTER X DAVE IS STUNG TO THE QUICK Ensign Darrin bowed, then awaited further communication from his commanding officer. "It was particularly set forth in the orders," resumed Captain Gales, "that any form of conflict was to be avoided by the expedition of which you commanded a part, was it not?" "It was, sir," Darrin admitted. "And yet, by the report which Lieutenant Cantor has turned in, you opened fire on Cosetta and his band and have returned to ship with two men killed and four men wounded. Is that report correct?" "It is, sir," admitted the young ensign, "with one exception." "State the exception, Ensign Darrin," ordered the captain, coldly. "The exception, sir, is that Cosetta's fellows opened fire on us first." Dave Darrin stood looking straight into Captain Gales's eyes. "Ensign Darrin, did you do anything to provoke that fire?" asked the commanding officer. "Yes, sir," Dave admitted. "Ah!" breathed Captain Gales, while Cantor gave an almost inaudibl
