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Rh tars standing by, while Dan came running up to learn what the row was about.

"Don't fight, Oliver," said my chum, in a low voice. "They'll lock you up in the brig, if you do."

"He began it, Dan. I only defended myself. If he—"

I had no time to say more, for, watching his chance. Bill Graves leaped in again, this time hitting me on the cheek, a blow that almost floored me.

"Take that!" he hissed. "I'll teach you!"

"A man against a boy! That aint fair!" was the cry from several sailors and gunners. "Let up. Graves."

"I won't let up. He's too fresh, and I'm going to teach him his place."

By this time I had recovered and was standing my ground once more. Again the engineer came on, but as he struck out I parried the blow and let drive first with my right fist and then my left. Both blows landed on his chin, and over he went like a ten-pin struck down on an alley.

"Graves is down!"

"Those were two neat blows, eh?"

"That boy knows how to take care of himself, I take it."

Such were some of the remarks which passed around. Half stunned, Bill Graves arose slowly