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Sail Ho! A Boy at Sea, a novel by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 45 |
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_ CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. So much water had been pumped into the hold, that it was now doing the work steadily by soaking in all directions, and making packing-case and bale so saturated that the fire was languishing for want of food. For my part I fully expected that if we poured in much more the ship would become unsafe; and when I descended into the forecastle and cable-tier in turn, I thought the water would be a couple of feet deep on the floor. But there was no sign of a drop. Saturation had taken up an enormous quantity, but more had gone off into the air turned into steam; and when I went down with Mr Brymer to sound the well, I was astonished to find how small the amount of water was in the ship. "No fear of our sinking, Dale," said the mate; and he went on deck again to look at the tremendous clouds of steam rising from the hold. Before evening the pumping had been allowed to slacken; and as wherever the jet was directed now, the hissing had ceased, it was decided to give up and rest, though everything was laid ready for continuing the fight should it become necessary. Every one was fagged, but there was so much to do that we could not afford to show it, and we set to work to try and place matters so that we could go steadily on as far as was possible in the regular routine of the ship--no easy matter, seeing that we were so short-handed. But the cabin arrangements were put straight, and Miss Denning and Mr Preddle did all they could to provide a comfortable late dinner, which, if not hot, was plentiful. Then Mr Frewen did all he could for his patients, and Neb Dumlow was bandaged and ordered to rest. He said he could not, for there was so much to do. It was not, he said, as if he could have been set to steer, for the ship still lay motionless, merely drifting with the current. "I can do nothing, sir," he growled morosely. "Look here, my lad," said Mr Frewen, "I have no objection if you wish to provide me with a bit of practice--go on, and I will do my best." "Whatcher mean, sir, with yer bit o' practice?--pouring of physic into me as if I was a cask?" "No; I meant taking off your leg." "Taking off my leg!" cried Dumlow, with so comical a look of disgust on his countenance that I was obliged to laugh; "whatcher want to take off my leg for? Can't you stop the holes up?" "I don't want to take off your leg, my man, and I can stop up the holes as you call it; but you persist in using it, and if you do, the consequences will possibly be that the wounds will mortify, and the leg get into such a state that I shall have to amputate it to save your life." "Hear this, Mr Dale!" growled Dumlow. I nodded. "That won't do for me. Timber-toes goes with the Ryle Navy and pensions. They won't do in the marchant sarvice. All right, doctor; I'm game to do just as you tell me, only let me get about a bit. Couldn't you put my leg in a sling?" "Your leg isn't your arm, Neb," I cried, laughing. "Well, sir, who said it were? I knows the diffrens 'tween a fore and a hind flipper." "There, that will do, my man," said the doctor. "Your wound is not a bad one, but in this hot climate it would soon be if neglected." The doctor walked away, and the sailor chuckled. "It's all right, Mr Dale, I won't do what the doctor don't want. Ketch me getting rid of a leg like a lobster does his claw. But I say, sir; I did think, you know, just then, as I might have a hankychy round my neck and hang my leg in it." I was called aft soon after, and I saw Dumlow go forward, disappearing amongst the steam, while I went to Mr Frewen and helped him while he dressed Walters' wound, and was with him afterwards when he went to the captain and Mr Denning, both of whom were certainly easier now. We had a light in the saloon too, for I had managed to trim the lamp, and Mr Brymer had been busy hunting out ammunition for the guns. This he had found in the forecastle lying in one of the upper bunks, and with it a couple of revolvers, so that once more we were fairly armed. Then it was decided that the boat should be hooked on to the falls, and an attempt made to raise her, but Bob Hampton shook his head. "Don't think we can manage her, sir, to-night. To-morrow perhaps I might rig up tackle, and we could get her on deck. She's too big for them davits. But why not let her hang on behind, as the weather's fine?" "And suppose those scoundrels return, sir, what then?" cried Mr Brymer. Bob Hampton scratched his head. "Ah, you may well say what then, sir," he grumbled. "I hadn't thought o' that. Don't think they will come, do you?" "It is possible. They left in a scare, but if they see the ship still floating they may come back." "Then we'd better get a couple o' pigs o' ballast ready to heave over, and knock holes in the bottom in case they do come, for we can't get her hysted to-night." "I suppose you are right," said Mr Brymer in a dissatisfied tone; and, giving the orders, Hampton and Barney Blane went off to get the two big pieces of cast-iron and place them ready for the emergency, though it was fervently hoped that that need might not occur. Then as the night was clear, and we were so short-handed, it was settled that one man only should take the watch, and every one volunteered, though we were all so exhausted that we could hardly stand. But Mr Brymer settled that. "I will take the first watch myself," he said. "All of you go and get some rest so as to relieve me." This consultation was held just outside the saloon, and Mr Frewen had just spoken and told Mr Brymer that he ought to have some one to share the watch with him, when a white figure suddenly came up out of the semi-darkness of the cabin, and I gave quite a start. "You, Miss Denning?" I said. "Yes. Mr Brymer, our cabin-door is open, and my brother and I have heard every word." "Well, my dear young lady," said the mate pleasantly, "I wish you had heard better news." "It was the best you could give us," she said quietly. "But my brother sends me to say that he has had a long sleep, and that if he is helped to a chair on the upper deck with a night-glass, he could keep the watch himself, and easily give the alarm if it were necessary." "But he is not fit to leave alone, Miss Denning," said the doctor quickly. "He would not be alone, Mr Frewen," she replied gently. "I should share his watch." "And do you think, my dear child," cried Mr Brymer, "that we big strong men are going to lie down to sleep, and let you watch for us?" "Why not?" she said quietly. "You have all risked your lives to save us. It is the least we can do." "Yes," came in Mr Denning's sharp voice; "we shall keep this watch together, I am strong enough for that. Nothing shall approach the ship, Mr Brymer, without your having warning." "He is quite right, Brymer," said a fresh debater in a faint voice, as no less a person than the captain joined in the discussion. "You are all worn-out. We sick folk have sharp ears, and will keep them well opened." "I--I really hardly know what to say," said Mr Brymer. I did, for I suddenly started from the spot where I stood, after sniffing suspiciously two or three times, shouting--"Fire!--fire!" For the enemy had evidently been at work insidiously, and had burst its water-chains, and leaped up to attack us again. We all made a rush for the pump and hose, for the smell of burning was stronger as we reached the steaming hold, I being first. But I felt puzzled, for the steam was dense as ever, and I could only smell the dank, unpleasant, hydrogenous odour of decomposed water, while the smell which had reached the companion-way had been the fresh, sharp, pungent scent of burning wood. The next moment, though, I saw where the danger was, and shouted-- "The galley--the galley!" We all ran round to the door, for smoke was issuing from the wooden building freely, and a dull light shone out on to the darkness. Then I burst out in astonishment-- "What, Dumlow! You here?" "Ay, ay, sir. Practysing up. I got it now, and go ahead to-morrow morning. Stove bothered me a bit at first, but I can work her, and there'll be hot water and coffee for braxfast in the morning, and soup and taters for dinner. Cooking's easy enough when you knows how." There was a roar of laughter at this. "Ah, you may laugh, all on you, I don't keer. This won't hurt my leg, will it, doctor?" "No; you can go on with that," replied Mr Frewen; "but keep seated all you can." "Toe be sure, sir. I've often seen the cook sitting down to peel the taters and stir the soup." "Well, let that fire out now, and get some rest," said Mr Brymer. "You startled us all." Then leading the way back to the saloon, he told Miss Denning that we should all gladly accept her brother's offer; and it having been arranged that a whistle should give the signal of danger, the poor fellow was carried up on the poop-deck, and left there with his sister, a final look given at the steaming hold, and then the men went forward, and we to our cabins, I choosing for mine the one occupied by Walters, to whom I talked for a few minutes, and then in an instant I was asleep. _ |
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