For the next hour there was a steady splash, splash as the swabs worked back and forth over the deck, the latter running rivers of water from hose and pail.
“Well, how do you like Field Day?” questioned the mate who had first instructed the lads in their duties.
It was after the mess hour and all hands were resting preparatory to taking up the duties of the afternoon.
“What’s a Field Day?” asked Sam.
“When all hands turn to to clean ship. You see, ships get in rather bad condition, regarding cleanliness, after having been in port for some time.”
“Do the men like to clean ship?”
“They love it. Give a jackie a deck swab, put him in bare feet, and he is happy.”
“I don’t see anything to get excited about in scrubbing decks,” grumbled Sam.
“You will after you have been in the service longer. By the way, the smoke lamp is lighted. Fall to, lads.”
“You mean——”