Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/27

 his thumb. As to whether his intentions were kindly or cruel, Madden could not determine, but their lodgment was a low kennel-like place, the smallest in the row. Nevertheless it was very clean and smelled of new lumber. It held four bunks, two on a side. The boys dropped their luggage inside with the pleasure of travelers reaching their destination.

“Got no fire arms nor whiskey?” growled the mate, looking through the door at his new men.

Both answered in the negative.

“All right; step lively now. We want to raise that waterline 'igh enough to work in the waves before we reach th' Channel.”

The lads shut the door after them, then started under Malone's direction for whatever work he had.

They found the whole crew swinging along the hundred foot front of the dock, broadening the brilliant red waterline with all possible dispatch. The reason for attacking the front first was obvious. In case of rough weather, the way of the dock would pile the waves higher ahead than anywhere else. Leonard and his new friend lowered themselves on a swinging platform over