CHAPTER XVII.
AN AFFAIR OF SULKS Having struck the blow, Midshipman Darrin stepped back, to give his opponent an unobstructed chance to rise to his feet.
"What's this all about ?" demanded Midshipman Hepson wonderingly.
"It's gone too far for talk, now," replied Dan Dalzell.

"Wait until Darry has put a new head on this idiot." Jetson took his time about getting to his feet When he did rise he didn't assume his guard at once.
"Well," asked Darrin coolly, but mockingly, "have you had all you can stand, or are you going to back up your wild, crazy statements ?" Suddenly Jetson raised one of his feet quickly, as though to kick Dave in the belt line.
"Here, stop that!" cried Hepson and Joyce in the same breath, as they sprang forward.

Darrin, seeing others interfere, didn't attempt to strike back, but merely stepped aside.
That was the chance for which Jetson had been watching.

His kick didn't land; he hadn't intended that it should, but Dave's surprised recoil gave the other the chance that he really wanted.

Both of Jetson's fists struck on Dave's nose, drawing a flood of the crimson.
"You coward! You cur!" gasped amazed Dalzell.
"Silence, all!" ordered Hepson, speaking by virtue of being a first classman.