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

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER III

  AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE

  Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its sizeand complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.Then someone addressed him:

  "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a littleman, who was dressed in naval uniform. "What can I do for you? I'm the'second.'"

  Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.

  "They are, indeed, very fine, and I have never seen anything like thembefore," he said. "But perhaps you will think I have no business here,so I had better tell you I am the new hand. I have shipped as agreaser."

  "Ah, then you're the fellow I was told to expect. Now, tell me what youknow about engines. Mind you, if you are ignorant of your surroundings,you have picked a very dangerous job. I've seen more than one man maimedfor life, simply because he did not know where to look out foraccidents, and therefore could not avoid them. On the other hand, I'veknown a greaser who had been at the game for many years meet his endsimply and solely on account of carelessness. But I'm going ahead. Whatexperience have you had?"

  "I am sorry to say that I have never been in the engine-room of a shipbefore," Hal replied; "but I've worked amongst the machines we had atthe foundry, and have learned to grease them, and also how to effectsmall repairs. Then I have spent some time in the turning shops, and,latterly, have been in the casting-pits and in the drawing-office."

  "That's a record to be proud of. But it will be different here, and youwill have much to learn. Come along with me. I'll take you round. Whipoff your coat, and get hold of a handful of that cotton waste. Afterthis you'll never be without it, for it's always wanted down here, andfellows get so used to having it; in fact, prefer it to a handkerchief."

  Mr. Stoner, as the second in command of the ship's engines was known,smiled in a friendly way, and patted Hal on the shoulder as if to showthat he had already made up his mind to patronize him during the voyageto America, so as to make it as pleasant as possible.

  "When do you sail?" asked Hal, returning from the corner in which he hadplaced his coat.

  "Late to-night, or to-morrow morning, I should think. We are due on theother side in about nine days, and put out again a week later."

  Leading the way, he passed to the back of the nearer of two enormouspillars, which supported the cylinders above the revolving parts of themachinery. Then he pointed to the pistons, which drove the propellershaft, and from these to the hundreds of other parts which it would beuseless to attempt to describe.

  "Chockful of bits that make the old girl go, isn't it?" said Mr. Stoner."Now we'll get into the stoke-hole. The dirty part first, and afterwardsthe job you'll have to tackle. But it's as well for you to see all thatwe've got down here."

  He passed into a lower part of the ship. A wave of heat fanned Hal'sface as he followed, and he was conscious of stepping into a warmeratmosphere.

  "Yes, it's warm," said the "second," "but nothing to what I've known itin the Suez Canal or in the Red Sea. That's where it _is_ hot. Now forthe coal bunkers," he said. "We've one here, and another amidships,which we usually keep in reserve. Look out for your head again, andfollow closely."

  After inspecting the bunkers, Mr. Stoner then led the way back to theengine-room, and began to show Hal round it.

  "This'll be your particular job," he said, "and you will have to keepyour ears open. I'll tell you all I can, and then hand you over to our'fourth.' His name is Masters, and he's been with us only a few trips.He's our electrical expert, and is as mischievous as a monkey."

  For half an hour longer the "second" devoted himself to Hal, andinstructed him in his duties. Then, as someone came swarming down theladder, he led him forward to the foot.

  "Here's Masters," he said. "I'll hand you over at once. He'll tell youabout the life, and will let you know your hours of duty, and when yougrub. Good-by, and bear in mind what I have told you."

  Hal thanked him, and was then introduced to the "fourth," a young fellowof his own age, but shorter and slighter than himself.

  "There," said Mr. Stoner, "I've brought you a pal. He's not exactlygreen, and he's only a temporary hand. He's tramping it to the otherside."

  "Right; I know the sort. Out of work at home, and bitten with theYanks," laughed the youth known as Masters. "By the way," he continued,"what's your name, and where do you come from?"

  "As we are to be comrades," said Hal, "I'll tell you something aboutmyself. But I must not forget that you are an officer, so that comradeis not quite the word I should have used."

  "Officer!" Masters cried hotly. "Officer be hanged! You've got toremember nothing of the sort. I am an officer if you like, but we're notgoing to talk about it. We are aboard a vessel plying to America, andthe Yanks don't take too much notice of officers. Everyone as good ashis fellow, whether millionaire or pauper, is what they think. But Iinterrupted you."

  "You asked me who I was," said Hal, "and I may as well tell you. Thingshave gone rather badly for me, and you will realize the truth when Itell you that, barely a week ago, I had a fair prospect of some daybecoming the owner of a flourishing foundry. But there was a smash, andthe shock killed my poor father. I had to do something for a living, andit occurred to me that I might manage to get employment over the water.A friend helped me to get this berth, and here I am, ready to be guidedby you, and prepared to rough it to any extent."

  "Which shows that you are starting with the right kind of spirit,"exclaimed the "fourth." "This is no drawing room, I can assure you, andat times the work is very hard indeed. But you'll get used to it. But, Isay, this isn't work. Come along with me."

  Masters gathered up a handful of cotton waste and led the way amongstthe engines. Hal followed, taking pains to listen to all that was toldhim. After all, he found that the duties of a greaser were not onerous,for the parts of the machinery requiring constant oiling were notnumerous, and in most cases were automatically lubricated. Half an hourwas sufficient for his lesson, and then he left the engine-room.

  "Say, young feller," said Masters, who, on the strength of a few tripsover to America, was much given to aping its ways and speech, "supposewe knock off now. You've had a tidy teaching, and by the time we're overyou'll have had your fill of machinery. Let's get something inside, forthe old ship sheers off precious soon, and then there won't be so muchas a bite for us still we're out of the river. Come on, and I'll showyou to your mess, and fix it for you with your mates. They are a roughset, but good fellows."

  Climbing out of the engine-room and turning to the left till he camenext to the room in which Hal had already deposited his belongings, thenglancing into a cabin, ushered his companion in. It was a tiny place,and a fixed table in center of it seemed to fill it almost entirely.Round it sat some five or six men, dressed in blue cotton overalls, andfor the most part with sleeves rolled to the elbow and grimy hands. Theywere the greasers, or rather, half of them.

  "Here's a new pard," Masters sang out. "Look after him, men. He'stramping it."

  "Walk in, and make yerself comfortable," one of the men answered. "Sitright down there, pard, and fall to at it."

  Thus bidden, Hal entered and took a place at the table. There was a dishof smoking and extremely appetizing sausages before him, and within aminute the man who had welcomed him had forked one on to a plate, andhad added a pile of potato to it.

  "There yer are," said the first. "We're sailin' ter day, and coffee andtea aer the stuff we drink. It's a kind er rule on the line. Fall to,pard, and look lively, for the standby'll be soundin' afore long."

  Hal took the advice given him, and after eating heartily felt likeworking again. For a few minutes he remained in the cabin chatting withthe men, then rose from his seat, and was in the act of leaving, when abell sounded far away, and he, as well as the other greasers, hurried tothe engine-room.

  "The signal's gone to 'stand by,'" said Masters, who stood on the platesbelow. "Keep your optic on that dial, and watch 'Ol
d Yank' when hecomes. Another thing, mind you touch your cap to him. He's boss downhere, and knows it."

  A few minutes later the first engineer made his appearance, and stood tolook round at the engines and men, ere he went to inspect all moreclosely. Hal stood near him, and at once touched his cap.

  "Helloo! that you?" cried the "first" in a friendly voice. "Hang me, butyou've took to it like a duck. Cappin' the chief and all. Wall, come afew hours more, and we'll see the stuff you're made of."

  He made a round of the engines, and then returned to the bottom of thelong iron ladder, where he waited talking to the third officer, by nameMr. Broom. Suddenly the bell tinkled, and the hand on the dial placed onthe wall pointed to "stand by."

  Again the gong sounded, and, looking up, Hal saw that the hand nowindicated half steam ahead. He saw the "chief" place his fingers on abig wheel and revolve it rapidly to the right. Then he moved a lever,and the big piston-rods shot downward, the crank plunged forward,swished round in a circle, and sent the propeller shaft rolling round.The _Mohican_ trembled all along her length, and Hal felt her move everso slightly. After that he had little time for observation, for hisservices were required.

  About three in the morning the _Mohican_ cleared the bar, and slowed upto allow the pilot to leave. Then the gong sounded again, and the leverwas pushed right over, giving full steam to the engines.

  "There, she'll stick at that if we've ordinary luck," said Masters."Your watch is up, Marchant, and I'd advise you to turn in and make themost of the off time, for you'll feel pretty boiled in four hours if youdon't get a rest."

  Hoisting his weary body up the long ladder, Hal made for the greasers'cabin, and, without troubling to undress, threw himself on the bunk. Hewas asleep almost immediately, in spite of the proximity of the engines.

  Four days passed uneventfully, and meanwhile the _Mohican_ had beensteadily forging a course towards America. The weather had been fine,but for the past two days a fresh breeze had been blowing from thenorth, and now a fine sleet was accompanying it.

  When Hal turned in at night, and lay down to make the most of therespite allowed him, the _Mohican_ was wallowing in the seas, and ourhero was anything but comfortable. But he resolutely forced himself toswallow his evening meal. And now he lay down on the hard bunk, and atlast he fell into an uneasy doze, when there was a terrific crash, andthe _Mohican_ was thrown on to her side. Hal was hurled from his bunk,and was brought to a sudden stop by striking against the wooden wall,now in the position of the floor. Close beside him was the door, and hestruggled to it, aided by the light given by the electric burners, whichstill did their work.

  Then shrill cries and a loud thumping proceeded from the engine-room.

  "There's trouble down there. She's on her beam ends," thought Hal, in ahalf-dazed way. "I suppose she's sinking."

  Next moment his soliloquy was cut short by the sudden righting of theship. There was a tremendous tearing crash as the weight of water on herdecks wrenched the rails and bulwarks away; then she swung into herproper position, throwing Hal violently to the other side of the cabin.Instantly he sprang to his feet, and darted towards the engine-room. Itwas dangerous work descending, but Hal did not pause, and soon gainingthe iron plates below, he saw a sight that made him pause inconsternation.

  "Good gracious!" he exclaimed. "What a wreck!"

  Close beside the door leading to the stoke-hole lay the "second,"motionless. Just within the door stood one of the stokers clutching theironwork, and looking upon the scene as if in a dream. Farther to theright lay two other figures, while in the center was the most ghastlysight of all. Up and down, thrusting with irresistible force, thepiston-rod of the low-pressure cylinder worked, revolving the crankwhich still hung loosely to its bearings, and tossing six feet of brokenpropeller shaft from side to side.

  Thump, thump, thump! Time and again the sharp end crashed upon theplates, tearing them like paper. Bang! The bearing gave way, and theshaft of steel plunged downward, threatening to crash through the bottomof the ship.

  What was to be done? Cut off steam? Yes. But who would take the risk?for still that giant shaft swung like a flail, smashing the floor of theengine-room; and all the while a huge jet of scalding steam shriekedfrom a severed pipe close by.

  "It must be done," said Hal to himself, taking in the situation at once."I'll do it."

  He waited a moment while the ship rolled her rails under, when he lethis fingers slip from the ladder, and darted to the lever which cut offthe steam.

  Bang! Crash! The shaft struck the plates just beside his foot, and,giving him a violent blow upon the shoulder, sent him flying to theother side of the engine-room.

  "I won't be beaten!" Hal exclaimed recklessly. "It must be done, or theship will go to the bottom."

  Once more he approached the lever, and with a jerk threw it over to thenotch above which was stamped the word "Off." A moment later Hal felt astunning blow on the side of his head, and fell to the floor as helplessand as unconscious as the "second."

  What happened afterwards he did not know, but when he came to, he foundhimself lying in a corner of the engine-room, with Masters leaning overhim, while a short length of rope secured him to a bolt in the wall, andprevented him from rolling with the ship.

  "Pull yourself together now," said the latter. "There, sit up, and sayhow you feel. All right? Then I'll get off. We're in an awful mess belowhere."

  He went across the iron plates, clinging to anything that would give hima holding. Hal watched him dreamily at first, and then with awakeninginterest. Then he moved, and a violent pang shot through his shoulder.

  "George!" he groaned, "I feel badly knocked about. That shaft has givenme a nasty bang, for my head's aching as if it would burst, and I amsore all over."

  He lay back again, but thinking his services might be of use soon, satup again and struggled to his feet.

  "There's work to be done," he said doggedly, "and I am going to take ashare of it."