A FRIEND IN NEED
It would be tedious to describe the manner in which the _Mohican_
finally reached New York, for from the date of the accident to her
machinery, and the successful plugging of the enormous rent in her side,
all went well.
But what had once been a fine-looking vessel was now little better than
a bare hulk, with smoke-stack and masts rising from a deck which was
clear of everything save the broken remnants of fixtures which had
defied the fury of the seas.
"There's one thing about her," said Mr. Broom to Hal, "she's been
stripped clean, and looks dismantled, but she's right and tight still,
and will well repay the overhauling which will be necessary before she
can put to sea again. Wait till we get alongside the dock; there will be
no end of excitement! And when it is known through what dangers we have
come, we shall be the talk of New York; and won't the newspaper
correspondents rush for us!"
And, indeed, this was the case. No sooner was the _Mohican_ moored than
thousands came down to look at her, and roamed all over her decks,
marveling at the manner in which she had been buffeted, and at the pluck
and skill which had brought her safely into port.
"I call it wonderful!" said the line manager, addressing the crew after
their arrival. "Two weeks ago business called me across from England to
New York, and I experienced the full fury of the same hurricane which
wrought such destruction here. I know what your difficulties have been,
and I am glad to be here to congratulate you all. It is difficult to
thank you sufficiently, and it is almost impossible to single out any
individual for special praise when all have worked so well. Your
captain, however, has done remarkably; he has shown such seamanship,
skill, and courage, that I at once promote him to the command of one of
our big passenger ships. Your second and third engineers have well
earned promotion, and, by all accounts, so has one of their
subordinates. I refer to the youth called Marchant. He, too, shall be
rewarded. And now, as by bringing the _Mohican_ safely to port you have
saved the company a considerable loss, I am glad to be able to tell you
that two thousand pounds will be divided proportionately amongst you."
The manager bowed and retired, leaving the crew to discuss the matter.
Next morning Hal found that his share was ten pounds, and to this a
further sum of ten was added for stopping the engines at the time of the
accident.
"You're a rich man," said Mr. Brindle chaffingly. "At any rate, you have
made more in one trip than you would have earned in three or four
months. What do you propose to do with yourself, may I inquire?"
"Really I cannot say, Mr. Brindle; of course, I am awfully lucky! The
twenty pounds, with what I had before, will enable me to live while I am
looking for a job."
"And have you any decided preference?" asked Mr. Brindle. "I mean, must
the employment be in America? I have a proposal to make, and you must
consider it before you decide. I am a Cuban planter. I told you that I
had some rough engineering knowledge. It has been acquired amongst the
machinery on my plantations. I want an engineer, one who can act as
master in my absence. Will you accept the post? The pay shall be good.
You shall have a percentage on the profits, and where your department is
concerned I will give you a free hand. But in addition to the engines, I
shall want you to help me with the management of the plantation."
He sat on the rail of the ship, and looked curiously at Hal; for he had
taken a fancy to our hero, and was impressed by his behavior on the
ship.
"It is very good of you, Mr. Brindle," Hal exclaimed. "I never expected
to be offered such an important post, and I accept with pleasure. Tell
me when I am to sail, and where I am to go to."
"I am glad you fall in with the plan," Mr. Brindle answered. "To tell
you the truth, I have been itching to get hold of you ever since you set
us to work at that trimming. You showed a fine example. You see,
appearance and manner is everything when dealing with blacks; and the
natives of Cuba, who are anything from genuine negro to almost pure
Spanish, recognize and look up to a European who knows how to treat
them, and can show them what to do. Now, as to marching orders, I have
business which will keep me in New York for a few days; after that we'll
go to Florida, where I have another plantation. From there we will sail
to Havana, and three days later we shall reach the hacienda, which goes
by the name of 'Eldorado,' and is one of the most beautiful spots I have
ever seen. But when can you leave the ship? I should be glad to take you
with me this evening."
"I can get away whenever I wish," Hal answered, overwhelmed by the
prospect before him. "But where do you stay? I am sorry to say that my
clothes are rough, and scarcely fitted for polite society."
"That is a matter that is easily arranged, my lad. Now, pack your traps,
and come along. Leave the clothes to me, for as my engineer you are
given a free kit, just as they say to the soldier."
Mr. Brindle smiled pleasantly, and, turning away, hurried to his cabin
to collect his baggage.
Left to himself, Hal went below, and soon had his few belongings packed
in a bag. Then he went the round of his friends, and took farewell of
them.
"Lucky beggar!" exclaimed Masters, whom Hal found propped up in his
bunk, with his head enveloped in bandages. "You are a fortunate fellow,
Marchant! But you deserve it all. I wish you were staying, for, after
what has passed, I am sure we should have been capital friends, and had
some splendid trips together. And now you say you are off to Cuba, and I
suppose in a few weeks' time you will be lording it over hundreds of
niggers. Well, old man, must you go? Good-by, and the best of luck."
"Thank you," Hal answered, with a laugh. "A rapid recovery to you. As to
my looking a swell and doing the grand, why, that's all humbug. Ta, ta;
and if ever you come to Cuba, look me up."
Whatever idea Hal may have had of his appearance in the future, the
matter was soon settled when he and Mr. Brindle had left the ship.
"There, in you hop," said the latter, motioning him to enter the cab
which had pulled up beside the wharf.
Then he mentioned the name of a fashionable hotel, to which they were
driven. They obtained rooms, then emerged from the enormous building,
which rose for many stories into the air, and entered one of the
numerous electric cars that run through the streets of New York, and
within ten minutes they were entering the doors of a big tailoring
establishment known as Riarty's Store.
"I always get my clothes here," said Mr. Brindle. "It is not more
expensive than obtaining them locally in Cuba, and as they have my
measure for suits, boots, and hats, I can get anything by writing. Ah,
good-day, Mr. Riarty."
He suddenly stepped towards a florid man, whose enormous proportions
almost dwarfed his own.
"This young gentleman is my overseer, and requires suitable clothes for
plantation life," he said. "You can take his measure, and I should like
the things in four days. But he wants a ready-made suit for wearing in
town, and an evening one as well. Can you do it?"
"To be sure I can," was the ready answer. "Step this way. One of the
assistants shall attend to you."
Hal was astonished at the extent of the order. In the old days--which
already seemed so very long ago, though only a few weeks had actually
elapsed--he would have thought nothing of it. Then he was the son of a
wealthy man, and had no need to stint himself; now it was totally
different, and a gentleman, who was not much more than a stranger,
though one with a kind heart, would pay whatever was called for.
"But you are ordering too much," expostulated Hal. "I shall never need
all these clothes. Besides, think of the cost!"
"The cost, my dear young sir; that is my affair," Mr. Brindle laughed
pleasantly. "I can assure you that if you only do your duty by me you
will rapidly repay the outlay. As to there being too many things, you
will want every suit I have ordered. I am an old hand, and know now
exactly what will be useful."
Hal was silenced, but determined to do his utmost to repay the kindness
of his benefactor. Fortunately, Mr. Riarty had a smartly cut plain suit
which fitted his youthful customer, and another of evening clothes which
required but slight alteration.
"We'll take the first with us," said Mr. Brindle, "and Mr. Riarty can
send the other to the hotel in time for dinner. Good-day, sir, and
please do not disappoint me. Remember, in four days' time we require the
bulk of the order. Come along now, my friend. By the way, I must have
some shorter name for you. Marchant is far too long. How are you usually
called? Hal? Ah, that is short, and sounds well. It fits your character,
and is a good one."
Five days later they boarded the railway cars running south, and Hal had
his eyes opened as to the possibilities of traveling in comfort. The
saloons and dining-cars were decorated in sumptuous fashion; and when
night came, the accommodation had nothing of the make-shift about it.
Americans, he discovered, did not consider that discomfort went
hand-in-hand with travel. Their railways were designed for speed,
safety, and easy running, and their cars for rest and freedom from
vibration. Mr. Brindle led the way into the smoking-room at the end of
the cars, and pressed the button for the porter.
"We shall want two compartments through to Florida," he said. "See that
it is a good one, and take our small traps there."
When the man had gone Mr. Brindle turned to Hal, and, pointing to a
hand-bag, said:
"All save that may remain in the sleeping saloon, but the bag you see
contains notes, gold, and valuable securities. Now, I am going to give
you a job. Your duties will commence from this moment, for I place you
in charge of the bag, and will beg of you never to allow it out of your
sight."
"Then you may rely upon me to look after it, and wherever I go your bag
shall come with me."
Hal was as good as his word. Hour after hour the train hurried on.
Occasionally the cars would pull up at some wayside station to allow a
change of locomotives, and then the passengers would descend and take a
short walk to stretch their legs and take the stiffness out of them. On
such an occasion Hal strolled along the platform, leaving Mr. Brindle
reading in the car. It was a sultry morning, and, feeling hot and
fatigued, he sat down on a bench, being joined first by one passenger
and then by a second, the former entering into conversation with him.
"Busy scene, sir," he said with some foreign accent. "Traveling alone,
sir?" continued the stranger. "I should say you're not. The gentleman
with you is Señor--I mean, Mr. Brindle of Cuba?"
Hal felt annoyed at the catechism through which he was being put.
"Well," he answered curtly, "and what if he is?"
What reply the dark-bearded stranger was about to give was cut short by
the sudden clanging of a bell, and by the cry from the conductor, "All
aboard!"
Starting from the seat, Hal ran some dozen paces, when he remembered the
bag intrusted to him, and which he had placed by his side. To his
consternation it was not where he had left it on the bench; a moment
later, however, he noticed with a thrill of surprise that the stranger
had it, and was hastening with it along the platform.
"Hi, there! Stop!" cried Hal, running after him. "What do you mean by
taking my bag?" he demanded indignantly, rushing up to the man, and
grasping the handle.
"Señor's bag! Pardon, but this is my friend's," replied the dark,
Spanish-looking stranger, feigning astonishment and some amount of
anger.
"Your friend's! Nonsense! It's mine! Give it up!" Hal cried, and without
more ado wrenched the bag away.
"Sir, how do you dare? Ah, but here is my friend himself. He will
explain," the stranger replied hotly. "Then, señor, you shall answer."
"What is this? What is the trouble?" the second man, a short,
swarthy-looking fellow, asked, joining them at this moment. "Come, the
cars are about to start."
"The trouble!" his friend replied. "See; we hasten to board the train,
and you forget your bag. I would rescue it for you when this fine
gentleman wishes to prevent me."
"But the bag is not mine; it belongs to him," the second man replied
blandly, indicating Hal with a wave of his hand.
At once the face of the first speaker changed. He smiled, showing an
excellent set of teeth, and made a profuse apology.
"My dear señor, but you must pardon me," he said. "It was my error, and
a grievous one indeed. A thousand pardons. Señor must have thought me a
thief!"
Hal certainly did, but it was not quite wise to admit it, and as the
cars were moving, he acknowledged by a curt nod the theatrical bow with
which he was favored, and hurriedly exclaiming, "I am glad the matter is
settled," turned on his heel and boarded the cars. But one thing struck
his attention at the last moment and filled his mind with suspicion. In
the hurry of replacing his hat the Spanish-looking stranger had
displaced a coal-black beard, and disclosed for the fraction of a minute
a clean-shaven chin. Next moment the beard was back in its place, and
the two men had leaped on to the train.
"I don't like the look of those fellows," thought Hal, as he took his
place beside Mr. Brindle. "It was a trick to steal the bag, and from
what was said I feel sure that they know who we are, and what valuables
I was in charge of. Do you happen to know either of those two men who
were speaking to me on the platform?" he suddenly asked, leaning forward
to address his companion.
"Do you mean those who joined the cars after you? No, I cannot say that
I do; and yet something about the bearded one struck me as familiar.
What about them? They seemed to me to be holding a heated conversation
with you."
"They very nearly walked off with your bag," Hal answered. Then he
described the facts of the case.
"Yes, it looks nasty," said Mr. Brindle at last. "It appears to me that
those two are scoundrels. Strange, but one certainly seems to have a
familiar face. Pshaw! It cannot be! But we must be on our guard in
future."