But there were others who fought valiantly enough, taking punishment laughingly when it came and pressing the older fellows closely.

Steve was one of the more daring of the enemy and never hesitated to dispute the possession of the ball with anyone.

Once when it came skipping along half the length of the tank, he went after it hand over hand, only to miss it when Eric Sawyer reached it an instant ahead of him.

Sawyer, grinning, drew back the hand holding the tennis ball.
"Want it, kid ?" he asked.
Steve, guessing what was coming, dived, but he was not quick enough and the ball landed with a round smack on his right ear.

A wet tennis ball, thrown from the distance of a few feet, is capable of hurting considerably, and Steve, dashing the water from his face, felt very much as though he had been kicked by a mule and had difficulty in keeping the tears from his eyes.
"Get it ?" laughed Sawyer.
"Yes, and so will you," gasped Steve.