e way
Warrington worried the man, shaking him from side to side and forcing
him along the deck. Suddenly he released his hold, adding a buffet on
the side of the head that sent Craig reeling and sobbing into the
companionway.

"Here, I say, what's the row?"

Warrington looked over his shoulder. The call had come from the first
officer.

"A case of drunkenness," coolly.

"But I say, we can't have brawling on deck, sir. You ought to know
that. If the man's conduct was out of order, you should have brought
your complaint before the captain or me. We really can't have any
rowing, sir."

Warrington replied gravely: "Expediency was quite necessary."

"What's this?" The officer espied the soaked bedding. "Who turned the
hose here?"

"I did," answered Warrington.

"I shall have to report that to the captain, sir. It's against the
rules aboard this steamship for passengers to touch anything of that
sort." The officer turned and began violently to abuse the bewildered
Lascars.

"I shouldn't bullyrag them, sir," interposed Warrington. "They
protested. I helped myself. After all, perhaps it was none of my
affair; but the poor devils didn't know what to do."

The officer ordered the Lascars to take the mattress and throw it on
the boat-deck, where it would dry quickly when the sun rose. Already
the world was pale with light, and a slash of crimson lay low on the
rim of the east.

"I shouldn't like to be disagreeable, sir," said the officer. "I dare
say the man made himself obnoxious; but I'm obliged to report anything
of this order."

"Don't be alarmed on my account. My name is Warrington, cabin 78.
Good morning."

Warrington entered the companionway; and a moment later he heard the
water hiss along the deck. He was not in the least sorry for what he
had done; still, he regretted the act. Craig was a beast, and there
was no knowing what he might do or say. But the hose had been simply
irresistible. He chuckled audibly on the way down to his cabin. There
was one thing of which he was assured; Craig would keep out of his way
in the future. The exhilaration of the struggle suddenly left him, and
he realized that he was dreadfully tired and heart-achy. Still
dressed, he flung himself in his bunk, and immediately fell into a
heavy dreamless sleep that endured until luncheon.

Shortly after luncheon something happened down in the engine-room; and
the chief engineer said that they would have to tr