Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/258

226 attached, going through the motions of loading, sighting, and firing. Larry went through all these movements with the rest; for although it was not likely that he would be called on to sight the piece, a delicate operation, or to fire it, yet it was deemed necessary that he should know something of how these things were done, in case those on the gun who were his superiors should be killed or disabled.

"Gracious, but it's hot work!" exclaimed Larry, when the arduous drill had come to an end. "It seems to me the gunners get the worst of it."

"We don't get any more of a dose than do the other men, lad," returned Striker. "Away down under us, where it's hotter twice over nor here, the engineers are a-workin' over their boilers to keep up steam, and the firemen and coal-heavers are workin' harder than ever you dreamed on, shovellin' coal and rakin' down the fires, and if you'll take a peep on deck you'll find the marines hard at it, with their monkey drill, or sword exercise, or something like that. It's one of the rules aboard a warship to keep Jack a-going, and the rule gets broken precious seldom."

"But how can they keep us going all the time, if there is no fight on?" persisted Larry.

"You're green, lad, even if ye have sailed in a