Two furnaces have been left idle for this instruction." But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room.

These were ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D.Then Heistand taught the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort.

He also illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal.
"The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted voice.
Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned and rasped out: "Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at the proper time." "Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice.
"Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan.

Then, wheeling squarely about, and facing all the members of the section, he declared with emphasis: "If there's any more unauthorized talking I shall feel obliged to pass the word above that discipline is in a bad way in this section." Then he wheeled about once more, facing the chief water tender.
"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D." Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen, to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel.

Yet, in good time, both furnaces were primed.
"Now, Mr.Dalzell, please detail four members of the section to follow me with their shovels and bring red coals from under another boiler." Dan appointed himself, Darrin, Farley and Pennington.
Burning coals were brought and thrown into each furnace, and in a little while roaring fires were going.