Part 2 (1/2)

”Is a marine license so very desirable?”

”Chief engineer is a pretty good berth, especially now. Those running in the war zone get good pay and a big bonus besides, you know.”

”Are we in the war zone?” he asked with some surprise.

”Yes--don't you see those lifeboats swung out? One of the firemen told me last night that this line had lost two s.h.i.+ps--both torpedoed.”

”And I suppose the firemen get the worst of it on account of being so far below?” he queried, glancing nervously at the dim sh.o.r.e line.

”Yes. Then, you know, there are supposed to be mines all along the coast.”

Without comment he gnawed the last piece of meat from the bone and tossed the refuse overboard. Two young girls among the pa.s.sengers above giggled at that. Strong flushed, but gave no other outward sign of annoyance.

”Then we are liable to be plugged any time?” he asked.

”Yes; there is a possibility.”

”Well, if I get another dose like I got last night I believe I would welcome it,” he laughed, looking at his blistered hands.

”You will soon learn how to favor yourself, and the work won't be so hard.”

”But you say the men who do the actual work get the worst of things.”

”Yes--I think so. Firemen are the feet of the s.h.i.+p, you know.”

”I think I was all feet last night,” he replied, smiling dolefully. ”I have heard professors rant about the dignity of labor,” he replied, arising with the empty pan, having enjoyed the first full meal he had ever actually earned. ”However, I have signed for a round trip and I'm going to stick if it kills me,” he added, half to himself, as he went below.

When he came on watch at four the fire of adventure had taken the place of Hiram Strong's gla.s.sy stare of debauchery. He cleaned and shook his grates without coaching, heaving the coal well back in the fire-box. I knew that every bone and muscle of his body was crying out in protest.

Later I saw blood from the blisters show through the cotton gloves, but he worked stolidly, silent and grim. Surely he was game.

We were getting farther south, the wind coming hot and the boiler-room an inferno. As Strong worked he perspired to the point of melting. I saw him grit his teeth, determined not to show another white feather, and when we were was.h.i.+ng up at the end of that four-hour watch, there was something of unction in his remark, to himself: ”Thank G.o.d, it didn't get me this time!” Sensibly he went to his bunk without eating.

CHAPTER III

OUR s.h.i.+ft was off at eight p. m. with duty ahead at four o'clock in the morning. But not feeling disposed to sleep just then, I began to study our position. Twenty-four hours ago we had cleared Scotland lights.h.i.+p, and I figured we were something like three hundred miles south of New York, off the Virginia capes.

The s.h.i.+p, as on the previous night, was wrapped in complete darkness as we emerged from the boiler-room, and I could just make out the shadowy form of the officer on the bridge, who moved about nervously. I glanced across the expanse of water but no light could be seen in any direction.

The only activity was the sounding lead which was thrown overboard occasionally.

We still had the southern head wind which made it too hot for sleeping below, so I decided to bunk on deck, and went below for a blanket. Young Strong slept as though dead, even though the quarters were close and stuffy. I was glad to escape to the deck with my covering. As I laid down, expecting to doze off at once, I began to hear subdued voices. I heard some one say: ”You know, we pa.s.sed him this afternoon at three. He couldn't be over two hours behind us.” At first I wasn't sure I was awake, for the voices were almost inaudible. I was sure I had slept some time.

”Did the wireless say all were taken off?”

I could now make out two officers talking near me, but they were unaware of my proximity. Then came the answer to the question:

”Yes; the report came from the sh.o.r.e station where the lifeboats landed, but if the subs are operating up there, we're probably safe.”

Manifestly they referred to some s.h.i.+p that was torpedoed two or three hours behind us.