"Quit! We've got enough!" howled a voice.
"I can't hear," answered Steve, playing the hose from one end of the cringing line to the other. "I'm going to turn on the hot water soon, I don't believe this cold water will take all the dirt off."
"Skin them alive!" jeered Jarvis.
There came an interruption. The howls of the men, having reached the upper deck, had attracted the attention of the chief engineer. He had come running down the companion ladder, believing something serious had happened in the engine room. He was met by a cloud of steam.
"What's going on here? Have you blown out a tube?" he shouted.
"No; I'm blowing off some rowdies, that's all. Bob, shut off the water. The fun's all over."
Macrae grasped Rush by the collar.
"What does this mean? I'll discharge you at the end of the cruise."
"I am sorry, sir; but those men attacked us and we had to fight them the best way we could. I thought a shower bath would do them more good than anything else, and cool them off quicker."