These, though not needed for the handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and the test cocks.

By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.
"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires, you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand.
This was interesting work, but hot and fast.

The implements with which the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end.

Yet, as all entered into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to the floor plates.
Just as the last of this work was being done Pennington, as an apparent accident due to excess of zeal, dropped the red-hot end of his implement across the toe of Darrin's left shoe.
In an instant the leather began to blaze.

With swift presence of mind Dave stepped his right foot on the flame, smothering it at once.
But he was "mad clean through." "See here, Pen," he muttered, in a low voice, his eyes blazing fiercely into the other midshipman's, "that is the last piece of impudence that will be tolerated from you." Midshipman Pennington's lip curled disdainfully.
Dan had not seen the "accident," but he was near enough to hear the talking, and he caught Dave at it.