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224 of good, I guess. Watch me put my hammock up, and you'll have the trick in a jiffy. Now, then, there you are. Now roll up your trousers, for washing down decks on a man-o'-war is no play-work."

The officer of the deck was on hand, himself in bare feet like the men, and now the word was passed to the boatswain's mate that all was ready. The word travelled to the engineer below, and presently the pumps began to work, sending heavy streams of sea-water through the various stretches of hose lying about, and then commenced the daily task of washing down.

Had it not been for Striker, Larry would have been bewildered, but the tall Yankee knew exactly where to take hold, and made Larry go with him. "Everything is divided up," said Striker. "We'll have to attend to our corner of the ship and nothing else. It's jest like you had an apartment in one of them big flat houses ashore. Don't bother your neighbor, an' don't let him bother you, and you'll get along fust-rate."

The washing-down process lasted an hour, and by that time the Olympia was as clean as a whistle from stem to stern. After this, half an hour was allowed in which to prepare for breakfast.