Part 34 (2/2)
The surgeon's report was duly made to the captain. The latter called his executive officer at once.
”See here, Coates, what's this about Kester having been in another fight?” he demanded after the executive officer had responded to his summons.
”It wasn't a fight, sir.”
”Not a fight?”
”No, sir. That is, it was a boxing match on the forecastle. One of the regular set-tos. It was all regular and proper, but it was pretty rough, I understand.”
”Who did it?”
”Ordinary Seaman Davis.”
”The red-headed boy?”
”No, his friend.”
”You don't mean to tell me that that slim youngster put a man of Kester's build in such shape that he had to report at sick bay, do you?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Why, I thought Kester was known as a bully?”
”He was, sir. He will not be any longer, I imagine.”
The captain gazed at his executive officer; then, leaning back in his chair, he laughed and chuckled to himself for a full minute.
While fighting and brawling were sternly suppressed on board the ”Long Island,” the commanding officer believed that fighting men should be allowed to fight under proper conditions. It had become an unwritten law on board, therefore, that the jackies were to be allowed to settle their difficulties with the gloves, sparring under a referee and with no brutality. This enabled the sailor lads to enjoy many a fine sparring match on the forward deck. In fact, bouts were put on regularly every Sat.u.r.day night. In doing this the men managed occasionally to pit against each other men who had a grudge to settle. This made the sport more real.
Kester had demanded the match with Davis, and the latter had no way to avoid the meeting without laying himself open to a charge of cowardice.
Dan Davis was not a coward, neither was he a bully. He wished to be let alone, and he had gone into the fight with reluctance, as the reader already knows. Now that it was over, he was heartily ashamed of himself for his part in the battle.
”Did any of our officers see the fight, Coates?” asked the captain.
”Yes, sir. Ensigns Brant and c.o.c.krill watched it from the bridge. They tell me it was perfectly regular. I made inquiry. They say the recruit, Davis, put it over the big fellow like a deck awning, though the young fellow evidently was reluctant to fight.”
”I am glad to hear that.”
”I think Kester was to blame for the previous trouble with the other boy.”
”No doubt. I shall make inquiry into that matter as well. I want to make sure that that fellow is trying to stir up trouble on board. When I am certain we will give him a quick trial and put him ash.o.r.e one of these days.”
”You will take no official action on this last fight, then?”
”Certainly not, since you say it was entirely regular.”
”It was, sir.”
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