Under the Star-Spangled Banner: A Tale of the Spanish-American War

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER V

  NO REST FOR THE WEARY

  An uncouth object Hal looked as he left his bunk and sought somethingwith which to quench his thirst.

  He went to a filter which was kept near the stairway leading to thesaloon. It was full, and he took a long and satisfying drink. That done,he returned to the alleyway, where he stopped and looked out.

  "Good!" he exclaimed. "The sea is falling, and there is scarcely anywind. That gives the _Mohican_ a better chance. But Mr. Broom will bewanting me."

  He looked about, and seeing the nozzle of a hydrant at hand, gave it aturn by means of the key. Whipping his shirt off, he bent beneath thespouting water which gushed out, and thoroughly soused himself. "That'sbetter," he said, catching a glimpse of himself in the glass. "I lookmore like a Christian again. Now for Masters."

  He went to the engineer's cabin and knocked.

  "Come in," someone cried.

  Hal entered, to find the ship's doctor engaged in dressing Masters'wounds.

  "Well, what now, my lad?" asked the doctor. "More casualties? If so, Ishall be overwhelmed."

  "It's nothing, sir," Hal answered. "I came to inquire after my friend.How is he? I left him here yesterday morning, with a big cut across hishead, and haven't been able to come near him since."

  "And we only discovered him a matter of half an hour ago. He has beenlying here ever since. He has a crack across the top of his head thatwould kill the average nigger; but, thanks to an extraordinarily thickskull, he's none the worse."

  Hal looked on for a few moments, then he left the cabin and climbed downto the engine-room. How changed the place was since the day he firstdescended! Then all was bustle, and after the ship had left port, thenoise, the whir of machinery had been unending. That was barely twentyhours ago, and now all was still. The wreck of a portion of the fineengines was piled against the side, wound round with innumerable lengthsof cable. Then, at the end of it all, a mass of blanket and beddingbulged into the room, looking peculiarly out of place. As Hal glanced atthe rent which had been plugged during the night, a mass of water struckthe ship on that side, and drove in the caulk, a flood of water flowingin immediately.

  "That's scarcely safe," thought Hal. "I had better find the 'third,' andtell him about it."

  But there was no need to do so, for at this moment Mr. Broom appearedfrom behind part of the machinery.

  "There's more work for us," he said wearily. "I've had my eye on thatrent all night, and the plug has gone at last. How are you, youngster?"

  "Fit and well," Hal answered. "But you look worn out, sir. Why not turnin? Leave this job to me. I'll get the same hands as I had before, andwe'll soon see to it."

  "You can't work without something to keep you going," the "third"replied. "Besides, I don't know that I am willing to have the job doneby someone else. The poor old chief is dead, and the 'second' wasknocked out of time by the first smash, so I'm in sole charge. I want asleep, I own, but I'm not done yet. You cut up now, and perhaps when youreturn I'll take a turn at the breakfast table."

  "But I'm as fresh as a lark," exclaimed Hal, "whereas you are completelydone up. Give me directions what to do, and then turn in and have asleep. There will be heaps to get in order when you awake, and as youare the only engineer officer left on the active list, you ought to takecare of yourself."

  "You're right there, lad," the "third" replied, sitting down suddenlyupon a step of the ladder, and turning a deathly gray, his pallorshowing through the thick layer of grime which covered his face. "I'mdone, and need a good rest to put me right. I'll tell you how we'llmanage it. You slip up and get a bite and a cup of tea; then you canrelieve me. You know what I want done. Plug this rent, and brace thewrecked machinery still more. Then, if another gale springs upon us, weshall feel secure."

  "Very well, sir; I'll get my breakfast and relieve you," said Halbriskly. He hastened in search of breakfast. The mess-room was empty,and when Hal looked into the cabin occupied by the engineer officers, hefound that it had been converted into a hospital, in which the woundedwere being treated.

  "Everything seems to be disorganized," he said. "I'll go to the pantryand see what the stewards can do."

  He passed through the alleyway, and mounted the narrow stairs.

  "Can I have some breakfast?" he asked of one of the stewards, whohappened to be there.

  "Breakfast! Of course you can," was the hearty answer. "You fellows downbelow have worked like bricks, and deserve something good.

  "Did you ever see such a smash?" he proceeded, pointing to the shelvesof the pantry. "Everything is upside down, and more than half thecrockery has been shattered."

  While speaking to Hal the steward had been plying a tin-opener, and atthis moment turned out a big tongue on to a plate. He cut off a slice,and making a sandwich, handed it to Hal. Then a bowl of tea was put inhis hand, and Hal was on the point of retiring when Mr. Brindleappeared.

  "My young friend the greaser, I think," he exclaimed. "Ah, how arematters down below this morning? I assure you that I and my comradeswere so fatigued by the healthy exercise you gave us, that we retiredimmediately the trimming was completed, and have slept like so many logsever since. But, thank Heaven, all looks well to-day, and hope is highin everyone's heart."

  "Yes, all is well," Hal responded; "but there is still work to be done."

  "That sounds as though another call might be made for volunteers," saidMr. Brindle. "Come, now, is that not the case?"

  "That is what I propose to do, Mr. Brindle. You see, the engine-room ispractically deserted. But for a few stokers who keep steam in two of theboilers, and the third engineer, the place is quite empty. Mr. Broom isdone up, and when I return will place me in charge, and go to his bunk.As soon as he has gone, I propose to replug the rent."

  "Then you will most certainly want us," said Mr. Brindle. "Come in here,lad, and talk the matter over. No; you must not refuse. We are allequals and comrades on this ship, and no one could object to your takinga meal in the saloon, particularly at this time. Now, come along in, andtake your breakfast comfortably."

  It was useless to attempt to refuse compliance with Mr. Brindle'srequest simply on the ground that he was only a greaser in theengine-room. In ordinary circumstances, the presence of such a person inthe saloon would have led to a scene, and the fact would have beenreported to the captain. But things were changed now. The _Mohican_ waslittle better than a wreck, her crew diminished, and those who were leftwere incapable of carrying on the work. The call for volunteers had atonce placed regular hands and passengers on a common footing. Many ofthem had heard Mr. Brindle speaking to Hal, and they at once supportedhis request.

  "You must come in, young sir," one of them cried. "Come along, or youwill be offending everyone in the saloon."

  Hal blushed, grasped the bowl of tea firmly, and tucking the roll oftongue and bread beneath one arm, made his way to a seat.

  The passengers gathered round him and plied him with eager questions.

  "Now, what is wanted?" asked one of them, with a laugh.

  "The lives of all on board depend upon our exertions," Hal answered."With good weather we need not fear, but if the gale blows up again, the_Mohican_ may very easily go to the bottom. That rent has opened again,and must be closed. Will anyone help me do it?"

  He looked round at the group of passengers, and was rewarded with anemphatic nod from each.

  "We shall all be there," said Mr. Brindle. "And when the rent ispatched, what follows?"

  "The cylinder covers should be taken off and the piston-rods and cranksremoved. I fancy I know enough about engines to instruct you, and ifnot, we must wait till to-morrow."

  "Perhaps I could help you there," remarked Mr. Brindle. "On theplantations in Cuba a trained engineer is a rarity. As a consequence,one becomes something of an expert one's self. Many a time I have hadto effect some minor repair, so that I have picked up some knowledge ofmachinery. Now, when shall we come?"

  "As soon after breakfast as possib
le, and I would suggest that you bringmore blankets."

  "Very well, Marchant. We'll divide into two parties as before, and youcan expect the first in a quarter of an hour."

  Hal thanked him, and left the saloon. Then he went for'ard, and lookedup the carpenter.

  "We want some planks, a few hammers, and a saw down in the engine-room,"he said. "Can you let us have them, Chipps?"

  "You can take what you can find," was the answer. "There, the store isunder the poop. Take a look round and help yourself."

  Hal went into the space set apart for carpenter's stores, and draggedout two long planks. These he carried to the engine-room. Then he madeother trips, bringing hammers, nails, a roll of canvas, a saw, and manyuseful things.

  "Now for Mr. Broom," he said. "I'll get down and free the poor fellow,for he looked worn out with hard work and want of sleep."

  Glad of the relief, Mr. Broom climbed the ladder, swaying from side toside, and looking as if he were incapable of controlling his limbs. Buthe was not the one to give in easily. He reached the top with an effort,went to the cabin, and, tumbling upon a bunk, fell into a deep slumber.

  A few minutes later the first batch of passengers appeared, and aconsultation was held.

  "How are you going to do it, lad?" asked Mr. Brindle, looking at therent in the vessel's side, and at the mass of blankets displaced by thesea. "It seems to me that something stronger is wanted--somethingbehind the bedding, to force it into the opening and keep it inposition."

  "I thought of that," said Hal, "and I've got planks from the carpenter.I suggest that we cut lengths, which will go from end to end of therent. Then back them with cross-pieces. If nailed together in thatposition, we shall have a fairly solid board, which can be pressedagainst the bedding and wedged in place."

  "That's about as good a way as any," exclaimed Mr. Brindle. "But I'veone idea. Get your canvas soaked with tar, and stretch it over theblankets. When the edges are squeezed into the rent they will keep thewater out. Undoubtedly our first job is to get the plugging done. Now,young sir, put us at it."

  It was work which was urgently needed; and the passengers, looking verybusiness-like in their shirt-sleeves, set to at it so heartily that therent was safely filled by afternoon.

  "Now we'll tackle the cylinders and cranks," said Hal. "It has to bedone, and better now than later on."

  The work was tackled willingly, and when the "third" descended to theengine-room he found the rent safely plugged, the wreck of the enginessecurely braced, and the cylinder covers and all movable parts takenaway, and made fast elsewhere.

  He stopped abruptly at the bottom of the ladder, and fell back a pace inastonishment.

  "Why, what's this?" he cried, as though he could not believe his senses."The hole plugged as tight as a barrel, the wreck stayed up with yardsof cable, and all the movable parts unshipped and set aside. Here,what's been happening? Have we fallen in with another ship, and borroweda crew of engine hands?"

  "It means that we carried out your orders, sir," said Hal. "You weredead tired, and left the engine-room to me. Our friends, the passengers,came to our aid again, and this is their handiwork."

  "Yes, that is so, and glad have we been to help," Mr. Brindleinterposed. "But allow me to tell you, Mr. Broom, though we have carriedout your orders, it was under the direction of this lad. It seemsextraordinary that he, who never saw the machinery of a big ocean-goingsteamer until a week ago, should so soon be placed in a position ofresponsibility. Few would have been so level-headed. The lad has won ouradmiration, for he is as free from conceit as he is full of resolution.He will get on in the world."

  "So he will," the "third" responded. "The lad's got grit, sir--the stuffthat won't give way whatever the danger. Who stopped the engines, andnearly got knocked into so much pulp? Why, this kid. I'm not going tosay one word about the other part, though we don't forget in a hurrythat it was he who stuck like blazes to the trimming. And now he justgoes and packs me off to my bunk, and then coolly tidies the whole placeup, and there isn't anything more to be done! Why, I might just as wellhave had my sleep out!"

  "Ha, ha, ha! So you might," laughed Mr. Brindle. "But come along to thesaloon. We are all in need of a meal."

  "By George, we are!" Mr. Broom replied. "Come, Marchant; we'll defer thediscussion of your good works till later. But when the time comes foryou to seek for a job on the other side, you've one here who is yourfriend, and who will gladly help you."

  "And here is another," exclaimed Mr. Brindle. "But to dinner now."

  Early next day passengers and crew ascended to the deck, for the timehad come to commit to the deep the bodies of those who had been killed.

  It was a sad group that stood upon the planks, hats reverently in hand,and peered into the sea, soon to become the grave of those unfortunatecomrades stretched still and motionless at their feet. Swathed inblankets, with fire-bars to bear them down to their last resting-place,the chief engineer and two hands lay awaiting the last rites at thehands of their friends. Very earnestly, and as if he would emphasizeevery word, the captain read the burial service, while the ship's belltolled mournfully. Then, at a sign from the quartermaster, the gratingupon which the bodies lay was tipped by two of the hands, and the threeforms slipped from beneath the pall, and disappeared forever.