If this occurs again, sir, I shall feel it my duty to turn in report of your negligence!" Several men of the watch and two of the marine guard hoard this rebuke administered.

Dave Darrin's face flushed, then paled from the humiliation of the rebuke.

Yet he had been guilty of an actual breach of discipline, minor though it was, and could not dispute Cantor's right to reprove him.
"I very much regret my negligence, sir," Dave answered, saluting, but he bit his lip in the same instant for he realized how thoroughly his superior officer enjoyed the privilege of administering the rebuke.
From inside Dan Dalzell heard the words.
At once, on the stroke of eight bells, the mess signal was hung to the breeze.

While that flag flew no one was admitted to the battleship unless he belonged on board.
Then appeared a little Filipino mess servant, who asked Dave and Dan to follow him to their assigned seats.
"Am I permitted to go to mess, sir ?" Dave asked of Lieutenant Cantor.
"Yes," was the short answer.
While the signal flew the sergeant of the marine guard was in charge at the quarter-deck gang plank.

There was no need of a commissioned officer there.
To their delight Darrin and Dalzell found themselves assigned to seats at the table together.
Lieutenant Trent stepped down, introducing the new arrivals to the officers beside whom, and opposite whom they sat.
"I was sorry to hear you get that calling down," Dalzell whispered to his chum, as soon as that was possible under the cover of the conversation of others.