A rattle of tin dishes followed.

Pails and pans were raised to the rail as five figures stood up suddenly.

"Stand by to repel boarders!" was the second command.

Five pans and pails of water were tilted, sending a flood of water down on the heads of the surprised "pirates." From a tub of water on deck the pails were quickly refilled and the water dumped over the rail.

Not many drops were wasted.