"And all rebellion against the authority around me will but make plainer my own weakness.

I have degraded myself; but there is a lower degradation still, and that I must avoid.

Drag me to the gangway, and I am lost!" Strict obedience and submission was from that time self-compelled on the part of Mark Clifford.

It was not without a strong effort, however, that he kept down the fiery spirit within him.

A word of insolent command--and certain of the young midshipmen on board could not speak to a senior even if he were old as their father, except in a tone of insult--would send the blood boiling through his veins.
It was only by the narrowest chances that Mark escaped punishment during the first six months of the cruise, which was in the Pacific.
If he succeeded in bridling his tongue, and restraining his hands from violence he could not hide the indignant flash of his eyes, nor school the muscles of his face into submission.