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

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER IV

  A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

  Hal stood up and looked about him, feeling still dazed. Shouts filledthe engine-room, and figures were hurrying to and fro. Suddenly thevoice of "Old Yank" rang out clear:

  "Boys," he said hoarsely, "this here ship's done for right away ef we'renot precious slippy. That 'ere shaft'll be breaking clean away with thenext big roll, and will sweep the whole room. Bustle there, and let'sget cables and anything that's handy to shear things up. Here, Masters,skip off, and see what's to be had."

  The latter, who was behind the massive pillar that supported one end ofthe cylinders, started for the ladder.

  "I'll help," cried Hal. "Hold on, Masters; I'll come with you."

  "So; that aer the way--that aer the style of grit," answered the youngengineer. "Come along then," he continued; "there's precious little timeter lose. That shaft has cracked the base of the big pillar, and efanother of those rolls catches her, she'll carry away every cylinder inthe place."

  He ran up the ladder, and Hal followed, feeling at first so stiff andsore that he could scarcely move.

  "We want cables badly," said Masters. "Look here, Marchant, I'll skipalong for'ard while you go aft. Find the quartermaster, and get him tohelp you. If he's my way I'll send for you, and if not I'll return.Savvey? Then off, and mind your toes as you cross the decks, for I'veheard that there has been a clean sweep."

  Turning on his heel, he groped his way along the passage, clinging tothe rail to keep himself upon his feet. Hal went in the oppositedirection, until he reached the alleyway, which led to the well-deck.And here another sight was presented to him.

  "A clean sweep, as Masters said," he murmured. "Derricks the only thingsremaining, and not a sign of bulwarks. Ah! it's going to be a nastyplace to cross."

  Of this there could be no doubt, for the waist of the ship had filled tooverflowing as she lay on her beam ends, and on righting, the water hadtorn the rails away on either side, and hurled overboard everything thatwas not built into the frame of the ship, or securely bolted to it. Onlythe derrick engine remained in the center, and Hal looked across a levelsweep of wet and soppy deck between himself and the poop. At that momentan enormous wave curled over the side, and fell with all its force uponthe _Mohican_. She shivered at the blow, and then recovering, reared herbows high in the air, sending the water rushing across the waist andover the side. Now was the time, and Hal made the most of it. He dartedfrom the alleyway and raced across the slippery deck. Bump! The_Mohican_ buried her bows deep in the sea, and at once a fresh wave rosehigh in the air, to fall with a crash upon the deck.

  It was a moment of peril, and Hal sprang towards the derrick engine,and, passing his arms through the spokes of the fly-wheel, clung therewith might and main. Instantly he was buried in a foaming mass of water.His limbs were almost pulled from his body, so great was the drag, butjust as his strength was exhausted, the ship lurched and tossed thewater off. A minute later Hal gained the poop, and clambered upon it bymeans of the hydrant pipes, for the ladders had long since goneoverboard.

  "Now for the quartermaster," he gasped.

  He crossed to the deck-house, and pulled open a door. It shut to uponhim with a bang, and he was precipitated across the narrow cabin.

  "Hallo! What's up?" cried a man who was seated on the floor in onecorner, busily preparing some lashings. "One of the greasers! What isit, lad?"

  "I want some lengths of cable for the engine-room," Hal answered. "Thepropeller shaft has broken, and the cylinders may carry away. Can youhelp me?"

  "Help! Why, I'm full up with work already," the quartermaster replied,"but ef yer want cables there's plenty of ten-foot lengths under thefloor, in the lockers. Now you can see to it yourself, though how onairth you're going ter get 'em across to the engines is more than I canguess."

  Hal knelt at the opening in the floor, and laboriously dragged fivelengths of cable out.

  "That's about all you'll manage," said the quartermaster. "You'd betterget along with them."

  "That will keep them from slipping when she rolls," he said to himself."And now to get them across. They're heavy. Ah, I have it; a piece ofrope will settle the matter."

  He dived into the locker again, and finding a long cord, he at oncepassed it through the last link of the cables. Then he ran across to theedge of the poop, and having dragged them after him, he prepared tocross again to the alleyway.

  "It's got to be done," Hal muttered. "Here goes!"

  He dropped to the waist, and at once commenced to run across. Crash! Amonstrous wave bumped on board, and catching him midway across the deck,washed him dangerously near the side; but a roll of the ship sent it inanother direction, and gathering pace as the _Mohican_ suddenly shother bows into the air, the mass of water carried Hal aft, and finallyflung him down, breathless, at the entrance of the alleyway.

  "By George, that was a near one!" said Masters, who was standing near."You're always in the wars. First you get smashed up by the shaft, andnow you nearly sail overboard. Look here, if I hadn't gripped hold ofyour collar that time, you'd be a hundred yards astern by this. Hallo!What's this?"

  "That? Oh, that's the rope I made fast to the cables," exclaimed Hal,struggling to his feet, to find that he still retained the length ofcord in his hand.

  "Tell you what, Marchant," said Masters, "for a greaser, and a green 'unaboard a ship, you walk right off with the prize! It takes no smallallowance of grit ter do that rope trick. Come along, now; the 'chief'is waiting for the cables."

  He shook Hal's hand heartily, then helped him to haul the cables to theengine-room.

  "Good boys!" said the chief engineer, coming towards them. "Where didyou get a hold of them?"

  "He did it," answered Masters, pointing to Hal. "I can tell you, sir,that he has grit. He just clung to the rope after going across to thepoop, and when I saw him he was within an inch of being over the side.He got caught by a sea, and got badly flung about. But still he hung onto the rope, and that's how it is that you see the cables here so soon."

  "So; aer that so?" said the "chief." "Reckon you're a good 'un, youngMarchant. I don't forget as it wur you as turned the steam off the oldgirl. Ef it wasn't fer that we'd all be down below by this. Wall, thisaint the time fer gassing, but 'Old Yank' won't let it slip, and whenthe time comes round we'll let the right folks know. Now, you had betterskip, and fetch a second heap. We shall want them, and more. Look extryslippy, boys, while we get these bits fixed."

  Hal and Masters sprang to the ladder again, and prepared to cross thewaist in search of more cables. There was little time to lose, for asthey stood in the engine-room both had noticed a big crack in themassive pillar that supported the cylinders. The end of the propellershaft had evidently struck it a tremendous blow, and had fractured it.

  "It looks very nasty," said Masters, as they climbed to the alleyway;"and ef the old girl rolls like she did when the shaft went, why, it'llbe a case of all up. We'd better hurry up."

  They stood at the opening of the alleyway for a few moments then racedacross the deck. This time Hal was more fortunate, for he, as well ashis companion, escaped injury. They reached the poop in safety, and weresoon hauling out more cable. A rope was run through the end links asbefore, and they started to return.

  "Now's the time, and mind you run for it," exclaimed Masters, loweringhimself to the waist.

  Darting across as rapidly as he could, Hal had gained the shelter heaimed at before Masters was halfway there, and he turned just in time tosee his companion caught by a mighty wave which came aboard at thatmoment. It hoisted the poor fellow high in the air, tossing him from hisfeet. Then it swept him along and dashed him violently against thecorner of the alleyway. Hal just managed to grasp his coat as the waterreceded, and dragged him into the shelter. But Masters was badly hurt,for there was a long red seam along the side of his head, and he wasbleeding profusely.

  Picking him up, Hal carried him to the cabin and laid him on one of thebunks.

 
"Now for the rope and the cables," he said.

  Stepping into the alleyway, he was retracing his steps when the_Mohican_ rose high in the air, trembled violently as a sea struck her,and at once rolled heavily on to her beam ends.

  "Good gracious! that will finish it!" exclaimed Hal. "Ah, what wasthat?"

  A loud crash reached his ears, coming from the open door of theengine-room. He ran to the entrance and swarmed down the ladder.

  Once more he was to see a sight that seldom meets the eye. The chiefengineer had feared the effect of another roll, and though this one hadlasted for only a few seconds, and the _Mohican_ was now back in a moreor less upright position, yet the sudden movement, the weight of so muchmetal thrown violently to one side, had proved too great a strain uponthe fractured pillar. It had given way, and had carried the cylinderswith it, the whole was bringing up against one of the massive ribs ofthe ship. One sharp angle, projecting beyond this support, had struckthe steel plates and ripped them open.

  A fountain of water spurted in as Hal reached the engine-room, swampingthe place. Turning his eyes to other parts, he saw that the disaster waseven greater than it at first seemed, for lying upon the floor werethree greasers, while the "chief" was huddled at the foot of the brokenpillar. At this moment Mr. Broom emerged from the stoke-hole.

  "What a calamity!" he cried. "We are doomed. Nothing can save the_Mohican_. The next roll will shake those cylinders free, and then theywill go through the side to the bottom, and we must follow. We areunder-manned as it is, and now so many of our hands have been injuredthat we are helpless. What is to be done?"

  He clung to the rail which surrounded the crank-pit, and lookeddespairingly at Hal.

  "They are the same on deck," the latter answered. "The quartermastertold me that four of the hands had been swept overboard, while othershad been seriously injured. But, wait. You want helpers, sir? Why notcall upon the passengers? There are about forty aboard."

  "The very thing!" cried the third engineer. "The work we want done canbe managed by anyone with courage and muscle. Cut off, Marchant, and seewhat you can do. I shall be surprised if the whole lot don't volunteerto a man."

  Hal at once darted up the ladder again, and, reaching the alleyway,turned to the right, and entered the big dining saloon. It was filledwith ladies and gentlemen, the former reclining on the settees which ranround the side, while the latter were gathered in a group in the centerdiscussing the probable fate of the ship. Hal at once walked up to themand dropped into a seat, for it was difficult to keep on one's feetowing to the movement of the ship.

  "What is it? Has something more terrible happened?" asked a tallgentleman, who occupied the center of the group. "I suppose we mustprepare for the worst?"

  "No; I think not," Hal answered. "Gentlemen, I am sorry to have to bringyou bad news. The propeller shaft broke, and before steam could be cutoff the main support of the engines was fractured, and now the ship isin the greatest danger; for the cylinders have crashed against the side,and have made a large rent in the plates. If the wreck is not securedand the hole made tight, we shall certainly founder. The last roll theship made completed the break."

  "Then it is bad news!" exclaimed one of the passengers. "What willbecome of us all?"

  "Wait; let us hear what this young fellow has to tell us," said thefirst speaker. "Perhaps he has something to propose."

  "I have," Hal replied. "All our engine-room hands are injured, and wewant help. Will any of the passengers volunteer?"

  "Yes, here is one," exclaimed the tall passenger. "Here is a strong armand a ready will. Command me, and I will do all that I can."

  "And I, and I," came from each of the others in quick succession.

  "You see that all are ready," said the first speaker, whose name was Mr.Brindle. "Now, what can we do?"

  Hal thought for a moment before answering. Then he turned to thepassengers and said:

  "It is likely to be a long job, and therefore I propose that you divideinto two parties--the first to commence work at once, and the others tocome down in two hours' time. The first party had better bring all theblankets and bedding they can. We shall want something with which tostop the rent."

  He rose from his seat, and staggered out.

  "Well," said Mr. Broom, as our hero swung himself on to the floor below,"what luck?"

  "They have volunteered to a man."

  "I thought they would," was the satisfied answer. "But how are we toemploy them? Tell you what, Marchant, some of the passengers will haveto set to trimming. We've been taking coal from the starboard bunker,and this side is full, so that it will all have to be put over to theother. Will you boss the gang? I'm the only officer left down here, andmost of the greasers have been hurt. I'll look to the engines, and willshear them up, if you'll take the other job."

  "I'll do my best," said Hal. "Ah, here they come."

  At that moment fifteen passengers began to descend the long ladder, eachcarrying a roll of blankets under his arm.

  "Hallo, what's this?" the engineer exclaimed. "Bedding! What's thatfor?"

  "I thought you'd want something to plug the rent," said Hal. "Don't youthink it might do?"

  "Do! Of course it will! Young fellow, you've a head on those shoulders.You're a puzzle. Do! Here, pile it all over by the dynamo; and let methank you now, gentlemen, for the manner in which you have comeforward."

  "Not a bit of it," answered Mr. Brindle. "We're here for our own sakesas well as yours; though I own that we should have volunteered in anycase. Now, what are we to do?"

  "Put yourselves in his hands," said Mr. Broom. "He's shown that he has ahead; he's got no end of pluck, too. Take your orders from him, andyou'll be doing your very best for all hands."

  He waved to the volunteers, and at once went to a group of stokers andgreasers near by. Hal turned to the stoke-hole without a word, and,passing through the tunnel between the boilers, entered the place setaside for coal. It was divided down the center by a bulkhead, whichreached from the floor to the deck above for the greater length of thebunker, but was cut down to a height of four feet some six yards fromthe door.

  "Now, gentlemen," said Hal, "all this coal wants to be moved to theother side so as to check the list. I propose that a few toss the stuffdown from above, while the others pitch it over the bulkhead."

  A minute later all were engaged, plying the implements as if they hadbeen accustomed to them and to no others all their lives.

  "We'll have a breather now," said Hal, an hour after he and his comradeshad set to work. "Let us have a five minutes' interval, and then at itagain, for you will do better if you have a short rest."

  The trimming gang stood there breathing heavily, and making the utmostof the respite. Some sat down upon heaps of coal, while others leanedagainst the sides, and placing their hands upon their hips, supportedthem there, as if their weight was too much for them.

  "Time's up, gentlemen. We'd better set to again," said Hal.

  "My hat, sir, but you are a stern taskmaster," cried Mr. Brindle, givingvent to a hearty laugh. "Here are we poor fellows ready to drop, and yougive us a bare five minutes. But the lad is right. Gentlemen, think ofthe lives depending upon us."

  An hour later the second batch of volunteers descended, and replaced thefirst, but Hal and Mr. Brindle remained at work.

  All day long the two parties took it in turns to labor in thecoal-bunker, and when night came, Hal was able to dismiss his gang, andinform Mr. Broom that the task was finished.

  "Good!" exclaimed the latter. "Your fellows have worked like bricks, andhave well earned a sleep. You, too, had better get one. Cut along up toyour bunk, and leave this to me. I'm used to long hours, and will keepwatch below. The _Mohican_ is steering now. That sea-anchor isoverboard, and we're able to keep fairly clear of water. Now, off yougo."

  He waved to the ladder, and Hal at once took his advice. He was, indeed,worn out with his labors, for all day long he had shoveled coal, tillthe skin was worn off his hands. Accordingly, he did
not argue with the"third," but, going to the ladder, climbed to the alleyway. He went to alocker, and finding the remains of a loaf, tore a portion off, and went,munching it, to his bunk. Less than five minutes later he was so soundasleep that he would have slept the clock round had not a violent thirstfrom the coal-dust he had inhaled caused him to leave his bed in searchof something to drink.