Roylance a bit of
sticking-plaister first."

As he spoke he gave Syd, who was between them, a push, whose result
astounded him.

"Out of the way will you," cried Syd, fiercely; "can't you see he's
busy?"

That which had been boiling in him had gone over the side at last, and
Terry stopped short staring with astonishment.

"If you want to talk to him, wait till he has done my head. Better talk
to me, for it was you, you great coward, who cut me down."

"Why you--oh, this is too good!" cried Terry, with a forced laugh, as he
looked round at the little knot of his messmates. "There, wait a minute
till I've done with Molly Roylance, and I'll soon settle your little
bill."

Roylance stood looking pale and excited, with the scissors and plaister
still in his hand, but on his guard ready to spring back or sidewise if
attacked. Then he, like his would-be assailant, stared in astonishment.
For Syd had resumed his position between them as if about to lower his
head to the light; when, feeling that if he wished to maintain his
character he must act sharply against what was to him a new boy in the
midshipman's mess, Terry laid hold of Syd's collar and swung him round.

"Out of the way, will you!" he said; and as the road was clear he made a
spring at Roylance, but suddenly gave his head a twist, tripped over the
new sea-chest that was in the way, and fell heavily.

"Oh, that's it, is it?" he cried, as he sprang to his feet. "Well, the
sooner you have your lesson the better."

He began to divest himself of his upper garment as he spoke; and Syd,
whose teeth were set, and whose knuckles were tingling from the effect
of the blow he had planted on Terry, rapidly imitated him.

"No, no," said Roylance, excitedly; "this is my quarrel. You see fair."

"You want me to quarrel with you?" cried Syd, fiercely; "see fair
yourself. Hold that."

He threw his garment to the tall slight lad, and rolled up his sleeves,
to stand forth no mean antagonist for the bully, though Terry was a
couple of inches taller, as many years older, and better set.

"Be ready to pick him up, Molly Roy," said Terry, sneeringly. "Get a
sponge and a basin of water ready, Baby Jenks, and--"

He staggered back. For as he spoke he had begun sparring at one who was
smarting with rage, and the thought that the cowardly fellow who had
injured him so in the night was before him ready for him to take his
revenge. Syd thought of nothing else, and the m