NO REST FOR THE WEARY
An uncouth object Hal looked as he left his bunk and sought something
with which to quench his thirst.
He went to a filter which was kept near the stairway leading to the
saloon. 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 any
wind. That gives the _Mohican_ a better chance. But Mr. Broom will be
wanting me."
He looked about, and seeing the nozzle of a hydrant at hand, gave it a
turn by means of the key. Whipping his shirt off, he bent beneath the
spouting water which gushed out, and thoroughly soused himself. "That's
better," he said, catching a glimpse of himself in the glass. "I look
more 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, I
shall 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 his
head, and haven't been able to come near him since."
"And we only discovered him a matter of half an hour ago. He has been
lying here ever since. He has a crack across the top of his head that
would kill the average nigger; but, thanks to an extraordinarily thick
skull, he's none the worse."
Hal looked on for a few moments, then he left the cabin and climbed down
to the engine-room. How changed the place was since the day he first
descended! Then all was bustle, and after the ship had left port, the
noise, the whir of machinery had been unending. That was barely twenty
hours ago, and now all was still. The wreck of a portion of the fine
engines was piled against the side, wound round with innumerable lengths
of cable. Then, at the end of it all, a mass of blanket and bedding
bulged into the room, looking peculiarly out of place. As Hal glanced at
the rent which had been plugged during the night, a mass of water struck
the ship on that side, and drove in the caulk, a flood of water flowing
in immediately.
"That's scarcely safe," thought Hal. "I had better find the 'third,' and
tell him about it."
But there was no need to do so, for at this moment Mr. Broom appeared
from behind part of the machinery.
"There's more work for us," he said wearily. "I've had my eye on that
rent 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 turn
in? Leave this job to me. I'll get the same hands as I had before, and
we'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 done
by someone else. The poor old chief is dead, and the 'second' was
knocked out of time by the first smash, so I'm in sole charge. I want a
sleep, I own, but I'm not done yet. You cut up now, and perhaps when you
return I'll take a turn at the breakfast table."
"But I'm as fresh as a lark," exclaimed Hal, "whereas you are completely
done up. Give me directions what to do, and then turn in and have a
sleep. There will be heaps to get in order when you awake, and as you
are the only engineer officer left on the active list, you ought to take
care of yourself."
"You're right there, lad," the "third" replied, sitting down suddenly
upon a step of the ladder, and turning a deathly gray, his pallor
showing through the thick layer of grime which covered his face. "I'm
done, and need a good rest to put me right. I'll tell you how we'll
manage it. You slip up and get a bite and a cup of tea; then you can
relieve me. You know what I want done. Plug this rent, and brace the
wrecked machinery still more. Then, if another gale springs upon us, we
shall feel secure."
"Very well, sir; I'll get my breakfast and relieve you," said Hal
briskly. He hastened in search of breakfast. The mess-room was empty,
and when Hal looked into the cabin occupied by the engineer officers, he
found that it had been converted into a hospital, in which the wounded
were being treated.
"Everything seems to be disorganized," he said. "I'll go to the pantry
and 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, who
happened to be there.
"Breakfast! Of course you can," was the hearty answer. "You fellows down
below have worked like bricks, and deserve something good.
"Did you ever see such a smash?" he proceeded, pointing to the shelves
of the pantry. "Everything is upside down, and more than half the
crockery has been shattered."
While speaking to Hal the steward had been plying a tin-opener, and at
this 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 in
his hand, and Hal was on the point of retiring when Mr. Brindle
appeared.
"My young friend the greaser, I think," he exclaimed. "Ah, how are
matters down below this morning? I assure you that I and my comrades
were so fatigued by the healthy exercise you gave us, that we retired
immediately the trimming was completed, and have slept like so many logs
ever since. But, thank Heaven, all looks well to-day, and hope is high
in 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," said
Mr. Brindle. "Come, now, is that not the case?"
"That is what I propose to do, Mr. Brindle. You see, the engine-room is
practically deserted. But for a few stokers who keep steam in two of the
boilers, and the third engineer, the place is quite empty. Mr. Broom is
done 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 all
equals and comrades on this ship, and no one could object to your taking
a meal in the saloon, particularly at this time. Now, come along in, and
take your breakfast comfortably."
It was useless to attempt to refuse compliance with Mr. Brindle's
request simply on the ground that he was only a greaser in the
engine-room. In ordinary circumstances, the presence of such a person in
the saloon would have led to a scene, and the fact would have been
reported to the captain. But things were changed now. The _Mohican_ was
little better than a wreck, her crew diminished, and those who were left
were incapable of carrying on the work. The call for volunteers had at
once placed regular hands and passengers on a common footing. Many of
them had heard Mr. Brindle speaking to Hal, and they at once supported
his request.
"You must come in, young sir," one of them cried. "Come along, or you
will be offending everyone in the saloon."
Hal blushed, grasped the bowl of tea firmly, and tucking the roll of
tongue 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 an
emphatic nod from each.
"We shall all be there," said Mr. Brindle. "And when the rent is
patched, what follows?"
"The cylinder covers should be taken off and the piston-rods and cranks
removed. I fancy I know enough about engines to instruct you, and if
not, we must wait till to-morrow."
"Perhaps I could help you there," remarked Mr. Brindle. "On the
plantations 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 had
to effect some minor repair, so that I have picked up some knowledge of
machinery. Now, when shall we come?"
"As soon after breakfast as possible, and I would suggest that you bring
more blankets."
"Very well, Marchant. We'll divide into two parties as before, and you
can expect the first in a quarter of an hour."
Hal thanked him, and left the saloon. Then he went for'ard, and looked
up 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 is
under the poop. Take a look round and help yourself."
Hal went into the space set apart for carpenter's stores, and dragged
out two long planks. These he carried to the engine-room. Then he made
other trips, bringing hammers, nails, a roll of canvas, a saw, and many
useful 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 to
side, and looking as if he were incapable of controlling his limbs. But
he 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 a
consultation was held.
"How are you going to do it, lad?" asked Mr. Brindle, looking at the
rent in the vessel's side, and at the mass of blankets displaced by the
sea. "It seems to me that something stronger is wanted--something
behind the bedding, to force it into the opening and keep it in
position."
"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 the
rent. Then back them with cross-pieces. If nailed together in that
position, we shall have a fairly solid board, which can be pressed
against the bedding and wedged in place."
"That's about as good a way as any," exclaimed Mr. Brindle. "But I've
one idea. Get your canvas soaked with tar, and stretch it over the
blankets. When the edges are squeezed into the rent they will keep the
water 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 very
business-like in their shirt-sleeves, set to at it so heartily that the
rent was safely filled by afternoon.
"Now we'll tackle the cylinders and cranks," said Hal. "It has to be
done, and better now than later on."
The work was tackled willingly, and when the "third" descended to the
engine-room he found the rent safely plugged, the wreck of the engines
securely braced, and the cylinder covers and all movable parts taken
away, and made fast elsewhere.
He stopped abruptly at the bottom of the ladder, and fell back a pace in
astonishment.
"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 yards
of cable, and all the movable parts unshipped and set aside. Here,
what's been happening? Have we fallen in with another ship, and borrowed
a crew of engine hands?"
"It means that we carried out your orders, sir," said Hal. "You were
dead 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. Brindle
interposed. "But allow me to tell you, Mr. Broom, though we have carried
out your orders, it was under the direction of this lad. It seems
extraordinary that he, who never saw the machinery of a big ocean-going
steamer until a week ago, should so soon be placed in a position of
responsibility. Few would have been so level-headed. The lad has won our
admiration, 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 stuff
that won't give way whatever the danger. Who stopped the engines, and
nearly got knocked into so much pulp? Why, this kid. I'm not going to
say one word about the other part, though we don't forget in a hurry
that it was he who stuck like blazes to the trimming. And now he just
goes and packs me off to my bunk, and then coolly tidies the whole place
up, and there isn't anything more to be done! Why, I might just as well
have had my sleep out!"
"Ha, ha, ha! So you might," laughed Mr. Brindle. "But come along to the
saloon. We are all in need of a meal."
"By George, we are!" Mr. Broom replied. "Come, Marchant; we'll defer the
discussion of your good works till later. But when the time comes for
you to seek for a job on the other side, you've one here who is your
friend, 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 time
had 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 unfortunate
comrades stretched still and motionless at their feet. Swathed in
blankets, with fire-bars to bear them down to their last resting-place,
the chief engineer and two hands lay awaiting the last rites at the
hands of their friends. Very earnestly, and as if he would emphasize
every word, the captain read the burial service, while the ship's bell
tolled mournfully. Then, at a sign from the quartermaster, the grating
upon which the bodies lay was tipped by two of the hands, and the three
forms slipped from beneath the pall, and disappeared forever.