the stomach!"
and flung himself upon the Secretary.

The guests waited for no second invitation. It was a battle royal, and
the Indiarubber Man, interned on the aft-deck, yelped encouragement to
his erstwhile conquerors because they were fighting valiantly against
hopeless odds.

A Rugby International and a middle-weight boxer of some pretensions,
although hampered by aiguilettes and outnumbered six to one, were not
easily disposed of. But they were ultimately overpowered, and carried,
puffing with exhaustion and helpless with laughter, over the debris of
the bridge-table, gramophone and paper-rack, out through the doorway.

The mess, breathing heavily, adjusted its ties and collars and smoothed
its dishevelled hair. The Flag Lieutenant and Secretary retired to
their cabins for more extensive repairs. The bridge-table was set upon
its legs once more, the scattered cards collected.

"Polo!" said the Indiarubber Man. "Let's play polo!"

"How d'you do that?" asked one of the ecstatic guests. At the bottom
of his heart he was also wondering why the greybeards of the mess stood
all this tomfoolery without protest. He had never been shipmates with
the Indiarubber Man.

The Indiarubber Man took an orange off the sideboard, a dessert-spoon
out of a drawer, and straddled over the back of a chair. "Like this,
d'you see? We generally play three a-side, but as there are six of you
we'll play double sides." He tossed the orange on to the deck, and
hopped his chair in pursuit, brandishing the dessert-spoon.

"That's a great game," said the First Lieutenant of the _What Ho!_ and
got him to horse. "Come on, our side, boot and saddle!"

As the game was about to start the door opened, and the Flag Lieutenant
entered hurriedly. He carried a signal-pad in his hand, and there was
that in his face that silenced the polo players and caused the bridge
players to lay down their hands.

"Signal," he said curtly. "Raise steam for full speed. Prepare for
immediate action on leaving harbour." And was gone.

Those who had immediate duties elsewhere stampeded out of the mess.
Overhead there was a thud of feet and ropes ends and the shrilling of
pipes as the watch fell in. A Midshipman thrust his head inside the
door of the Wardroom. "Boat's alongside, sir!" he said, and vanished.

The First Lieutenant of the visitors flung his boat-cloak over his
shoulders. "Well," he said, "we've had a topping evening. S'long, and
th