Dan squared off as if ready for a fight. Just then the ship gave a heavy lurch. The Battleship Boy disappeared under one of the big guns. His messmates hauled him out by the feet, amid shouts of laughter, and began tossing him about as if he were a ball.
Davis took his rough treatment good-naturedly.
"Thought you were going to fight?" jeered the jackies.
"No; like Sam Hickey, I've changed my mind," laughed Dan.
"Hark!"
"What is it?" All hands stopped to listen.
"It's the bugle. They're piping some squad to quarters. I wonder what's up now?"
"That's the whaleboat crews they're piping up," nodded Dan. "I guess the boats are being washed away."
"There goes another call."
"Starboard seven-inch gun crew called to quarters!" shouted Gunner's Mate Davis. "Jump for it, boys!"