He had hoped to call them back to their duty, and thus avoid what was before them.
"The coal, the coal!"
With one accord the stokers thrust their shovels into the coal pile.
Ten shovels of hard coal were hurled at the Iron Boys with unerring aim and at almost projectile speed.
"Down!" shouted Rush.
Both lads dropped to the floor of the fire room, the black chunks of coal passing harmlessly over their heads.
"Let 'em have another! Throw low!"
The stokers sent the next black volley straight out from their hips, which should have reached the mark had the boys adopted their former tactics.
"Dodge between!" commanded Steve.
Jarvis obeyed instantly. In fact, in an emergency, he always looked to his companion for orders.