78 FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
replied with a bucket of water, and before you could say 
'knife/ water was flying in every direction. Peter bolted 
himself into his galley, but was washed out from the 
hatch in the roof. What a battle that was ! It began in 
the afternoon and raged till night with unabated fury. 
Swish — swish — went the buckets, filled in the ship's 
waist, till there wasn't a dry spot from stem to stern. The 
moon rose and poured down its soft light on a fantastic 
scene, on black, soaking figures with glittering, clinging 
clothes, wildly struggling in the foaming channels and 
slinging water right and left. Such a scene of devilment 
and fun, to be remembered in the quiet days of propriety 
at home. 
