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

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER VI

  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 hermachinery, 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 thana bare hulk, with smoke-stack and masts rising from a deck which wasclear of everything save the broken remnants of fixtures which haddefied the fury of the seas.

  "There's one thing about her," said Mr. Broom to Hal, "she's beenstripped clean, and looks dismantled, but she's right and tight still,and will well repay the overhauling which will be necessary before shecan put to sea again. Wait till we get alongside the dock; there will beno end of excitement! And when it is known through what dangers we havecome, we shall be the talk of New York; and won't the newspapercorrespondents rush for us!"

  And, indeed, this was the case. No sooner was the _Mohican_ moored thanthousands 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 pluckand skill which had brought her safely into port.

  "I call it wonderful!" said the line manager, addressing the crew aftertheir arrival. "Two weeks ago business called me across from England toNew York, and I experienced the full fury of the same hurricane whichwrought such destruction here. I know what your difficulties have been,and I am glad to be here to congratulate you all. It is difficult tothank you sufficiently, and it is almost impossible to single out anyindividual for special praise when all have worked so well. Yourcaptain, however, has done remarkably; he has shown such seamanship,skill, and courage, that I at once promote him to the command of one ofour big passenger ships. Your second and third engineers have wellearned promotion, and, by all accounts, so has one of theirsubordinates. I refer to the youth called Marchant. He, too, shall berewarded. And now, as by bringing the _Mohican_ safely to port you havesaved the company a considerable loss, I am glad to be able to tell youthat 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 afurther sum of ten was added for stopping the engines at the time of theaccident.

  "You're a rich man," said Mr. Brindle chaffingly. "At any rate, you havemade more in one trip than you would have earned in three or fourmonths. What do you propose to do with yourself, may I inquire?"

  "Really I cannot say, Mr. Brindle; of course, I am awfully lucky! Thetwenty pounds, with what I had before, will enable me to live while I amlooking for a job."

  "And have you any decided preference?" asked Mr. Brindle. "I mean, mustthe employment be in America? I have a proposal to make, and you mustconsider it before you decide. I am a Cuban planter. I told you that Ihad some rough engineering knowledge. It has been acquired amongst themachinery on my plantations. I want an engineer, one who can act asmaster 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 isconcerned I will give you a free hand. But in addition to the engines, Ishall 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 hadtaken a fancy to our hero, and was impressed by his behavior on theship.

  "It is very good of you, Mr. Brindle," Hal exclaimed. "I never expectedto be offered such an important post, and I accept with pleasure. Tellme 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 tellyou the truth, I have been itching to get hold of you ever since you setus to work at that trimming. You showed a fine example. You see,appearance and manner is everything when dealing with blacks; and thenatives of Cuba, who are anything from genuine negro to almost pureSpanish, recognize and look up to a European who knows how to treatthem, and can show them what to do. Now, as to marching orders, I havebusiness which will keep me in New York for a few days; after that we'llgo to Florida, where I have another plantation. From there we will sailto Havana, and three days later we shall reach the hacienda, which goesby the name of 'Eldorado,' and is one of the most beautiful spots I haveever seen. But when can you leave the ship? I should be glad to take youwith me this evening."

  "I can get away whenever I wish," Hal answered, overwhelmed by theprospect before him. "But where do you stay? I am sorry to say that myclothes 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 aregiven a free kit, just as they say to the soldier."

  Mr. Brindle smiled pleasantly, and, turning away, hurried to his cabinto collect his baggage.

  Left to himself, Hal went below, and soon had his few belongings packedin a bag. Then he went the round of his friends, and took farewell ofthem.

  "Lucky beggar!" exclaimed Masters, whom Hal found propped up in hisbunk, with his head enveloped in bandages. "You are a fortunate fellow,Marchant! But you deserve it all. I wish you were staying, for, afterwhat has passed, I am sure we should have been capital friends, and hadsome splendid trips together. And now you say you are off to Cuba, and Isuppose in a few weeks' time you will be lording it over hundreds ofniggers. 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 tomy 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, thematter was soon settled when he and Mr. Brindle had left the ship.

  "There, in you hop," said the latter, motioning him to enter the cabwhich had pulled up beside the wharf.

  Then he mentioned the name of a fashionable hotel, to which they weredriven. They obtained rooms, then emerged from the enormous building,which rose for many stories into the air, and entered one of thenumerous electric cars that run through the streets of New York, andwithin ten minutes they were entering the doors of a big tailoringestablishment known as Riarty's Store.

  "I always get my clothes here," said Mr. Brindle. "It is not moreexpensive than obtaining them locally in Cuba, and as they have mymeasure 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 proportionsalmost dwarfed his own.

  "This young gentleman is my overseer, and requires suitable clothes forplantation life," he said. "You can take his measure, and I should likethe things in four days. But he wants a ready-made suit for wearing intown, and an evening one as well. Can you do it?"

  "To be sure I can," was the ready answer. "Step this way. One of theassistants shall attend to you."

  Hal was astonished at the extent of the order. In the old days--whichalready seemed so very long ago, though only a few weeks had actuallyelapsed--he would have thought nothing of it. Then he was the son of awealthy man, and had no need to stint himself; now it was totallydifferent, 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 needall these clothes. Besides, think of the cost!"

  "The cost, my dear young sir; that is my affair," Mr. Brindle laughedpleasantly. "I can assure you that if you only do your duty by me youwill rapidly repay the outlay. As to there being too many things, youwill want every suit I have ordered. I am an old hand, and know nowexactly what will be useful."

  Hal was silenced, but determined to do his utmost to repay the kindnessof his benefactor. Fortunately, Mr. Riarty had a smartly cut plain suitwhich fitted his youthful customer, and another of evening clothes whichrequired but slight alteration.

  "We'll take the first with us," said Mr. Brindle, "and Mr. Riarty cansend the other to the hotel in time for dinner.
Good-day, sir, andplease do not disappoint me. Remember, in four days' time we require thebulk of the order. Come along now, my friend. By the way, I must havesome shorter name for you. Marchant is far too long. How are you usuallycalled? 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 hadhis eyes opened as to the possibilities of traveling in comfort. Thesaloons and dining-cars were decorated in sumptuous fashion; and whennight came, the accommodation had nothing of the make-shift about it.Americans, he discovered, did not consider that discomfort wenthand-in-hand with travel. Their railways were designed for speed,safety, and easy running, and their cars for rest and freedom fromvibration. Mr. Brindle led the way into the smoking-room at the end ofthe cars, and pressed the button for the porter.

  "We shall want two compartments through to Florida," he said. "See thatit is a good one, and take our small traps there."

  When the man had gone Mr. Brindle turned to Hal, and, pointing to ahand-bag, said:

  "All save that may remain in the sleeping saloon, but the bag you seecontains notes, gold, and valuable securities. Now, I am going to giveyou a job. Your duties will commence from this moment, for I place youin charge of the bag, and will beg of you never to allow it out of yoursight."

  "Then you may rely upon me to look after it, and wherever I go your bagshall 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 achange of locomotives, and then the passengers would descend and take ashort walk to stretch their legs and take the stiffness out of them. Onsuch an occasion Hal strolled along the platform, leaving Mr. Brindlereading in the car. It was a sultry morning, and, feeling hot andfatigued, he sat down on a bench, being joined first by one passengerand 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 gentlemanwith you is Senor--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 bythe sudden clanging of a bell, and by the cry from the conductor, "Allaboard!"

  Starting from the seat, Hal ran some dozen paces, when he remembered thebag intrusted to him, and which he had placed by his side. To hisconsternation it was not where he had left it on the bench; a momentlater, however, he noticed with a thrill of surprise that the strangerhad it, and was hastening with it along the platform.

  "Hi, there! Stop!" cried Hal, running after him. "What do you mean bytaking my bag?" he demanded indignantly, rushing up to the man, andgrasping the handle.

  "Senor's bag! Pardon, but this is my friend's," replied the dark,Spanish-looking stranger, feigning astonishment and some amount ofanger.

  "Your friend's! Nonsense! It's mine! Give it up!" Hal cried, and withoutmore ado wrenched the bag away.

  "Sir, how do you dare? Ah, but here is my friend himself. He willexplain," the stranger replied hotly. "Then, senor, 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, thecars 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 finegentleman wishes to prevent me."

  "But the bag is not mine; it belongs to him," the second man repliedblandly, indicating Hal with a wave of his hand.

  At once the face of the first speaker changed. He smiled, showing anexcellent set of teeth, and made a profuse apology.

  "My dear senor, but you must pardon me," he said. "It was my error, anda grievous one indeed. A thousand pardons. Senor must have thought me athief!"

  Hal certainly did, but it was not quite wise to admit it, and as thecars were moving, he acknowledged by a curt nod the theatrical bow withwhich he was favored, and hurriedly exclaiming, "I am glad the matter issettled," turned on his heel and boarded the cars. But one thing struckhis attention at the last moment and filled his mind with suspicion. Inthe hurry of replacing his hat the Spanish-looking stranger haddisplaced a coal-black beard, and disclosed for the fraction of a minutea clean-shaven chin. Next moment the beard was back in its place, andthe two men had leaped on to the train.

  "I don't like the look of those fellows," thought Hal, as he took hisplace beside Mr. Brindle. "It was a trick to steal the bag, and fromwhat was said I feel sure that they know who we are, and what valuablesI was in charge of. Do you happen to know either of those two men whowere speaking to me on the platform?" he suddenly asked, leaning forwardto address his companion.

  "Do you mean those who joined the cars after you? No, I cannot say thatI do; and yet something about the bearded one struck me as familiar.What about them? They seemed to me to be holding a heated conversationwith you."

  "They very nearly walked off with your bag," Hal answered. Then hedescribed the facts of the case.

  "Yes, it looks nasty," said Mr. Brindle at last. "It appears to me thatthose two are scoundrels. Strange, but one certainly seems to have afamiliar face. Pshaw! It cannot be! But we must be on our guard infuture."