Part 32 (1/2)
”Yes, that is what I think. The boy has a steady eye, however. He seems a likely lad, but of course he can't win the match.”
”Wasn't he up for something the other day?”
”No, that was his friend, Hickey. The latter got two days in the brig for a row with this same Kester. I heard the captain saying, this evening, that he doubted the boy's being to blame for that after all. He has heard something since about that affair.”
”You aren't worrying about it, are you?” laughed his companion.
”Not particularly. I do not like to see injustice done, just the same. I should not be fit to be an officer if I felt otherwise. There comes the other one, now.”
”The fellow Kester?”
”Yes.”
Bill Kester was clad in a pair of short trunks and canvas shoes, with a red handkerchief about his neck. He hopped into the ring, taking his seat in a corner, having chosen the one that suited him best.
A moment later the referee that the men had chosen entered the ring.
”Davis!” he called sharply.
There was a movement outside the ring.
”Here,” answered Dan, pausing in his conversation with a jackie.
”Get into the ring, if you are going to.”
Dan climbed through the ropes, smiled and nodded to the referee, then stood awkwardly twirling his white cap.
”Take your corner.”
The lad walked over and sat down. For the first time, he observed the scowling Bill Kester in the opposite corner, and Dan's eyes took on a gleam of amus.e.m.e.nt as he noted the strips of plaster on his opponent's nose, the swollen lips and discolored eyes.
”Are you going to fight in that costume?” demanded the referee of Dan.
”Certainly, unless there is objection.”
”I know of none. Kester, do you object to Davis's boxing with his clothes on?”
Kester grinned and shook his head. Two pairs of gloves were pa.s.sed through the ropes to the referee, who examined them inside and out.
”Want to look at these, Bill?”
Bill did. He scrutinized them even more carefully than had the referee before pa.s.sing them back.
”Davis, look them over,” said the referee, turning to the boy's corner.
”You say they are all right, do you not?”
”Of course.”
”Then why should I look at them? I am willing to take your word, I guess.”