Part 3 (1/2)
He seized a man who rushed at him, as if he were merely a child, twisted him round till his feet were in the air, and threw him back at his comrades. Then, smiling all the while, he rushed at the attackers, regardless of their knives, striking them down in all directions.
”Hooray! Now, boys,” shouted the captain, ”that darkie's done it for us fine. Beat 'em back; there's still time to mend matters.”
Bunched together, and led by Tom, the little party threw themselves upon the Spaniards, striking right and left remorselessly. And in the s.p.a.ce of a few seconds they had borne them back as far as the bulkhead, above which was the p.o.o.p.
”If some of you men don't drop those knives precious quick I'll know why,” commanded the skipper.
”By de poker--yes! Tom know why, yo bet!”
The huge negro strode in front of all, his big fists doubled, his head thrust forward as if he were a bull about to charge. His eye fell upon the rascal who had begun the attack, and who, meanwhile, had recovered his senses. There was a dagger in the villain's hand, and Tom did not fail to see it. In a trice he had pounced upon the man.
”What yo not obey for?” he demanded wrathfully. ”Yo not hear de cap'n say yo to drop all knives? By de poker, but in two seconds yo sorry yo ever born! Yo drop that knife.”
There was no disobeying such an order. Tom seized the Spaniard, gripped him with both powerful hands, and shook him till the man's head threatened to fall from his shoulders. Then he turned and grinned at the captain.
”Ready now to do as yo order, Cap'n,” he smiled. ”S'pose yo say fall in half here and half dere, get ready to haul on tackle. Dey ready to do as yo say.”
”George, you're a real treasure! You're a brave man, Tom. Jest get 'em ranged up in order, and quick with it. Young sir, I'll be obliged ef you'll help him.”
He nodded to Jim, left three of the men to stand by him, and at once turned to the boats. As for the Spaniards, Tom's huge frame and the prowess he had already displayed seemed to cow them. They obeyed his orders with alacrity, and were soon ranged up in two lines. By then their aid was wanted.
”Yo jest get to dem tackles yo in dat row,” commanded Tom. ”Haul when you told. If one ob yo try to get into de boats before I say yo can, me carve yo into little pieces--so.”
He brandished an enormous knife, which he had picked up from the deck, and showed his teeth. The result might have been antic.i.p.ated, for the pa.s.sengers who had been fighting like a pack of beasts but a few moments before were absolutely cowed. They would rather face drowning than the anger of this terrible negro. It followed, therefore, that, now that they were helping in the task, the boats were swiftly swung out.
”Put the women aboard this one,” said the captain. ”We'll lower them with the boat. The others can go down by a rope ladder; it's smooth, thank goodness, or things would be worse. Now, lads, quick with it; she won't swim much longer.”
Riot and fury had now been replaced by order and calm method. One by one the boats were lowered, pa.s.sengers entered, and a crew was placed aboard. Moreover the purser and his men found time to make a raid on the stores, so that each boat was victualled. As for Sadie, she and Ching sat in the boat lowered from amids.h.i.+ps, and waited anxiously for her brother and the others. Presently they came, the captain being the last to step over the rail. By then the decks forward were awash, while the stern of the vessel was pitched high in the air. Her propeller was plainly visible, lifted clear of the water.
”She'll plunge in a few moments. Best get clear away,” said the captain.
”The other s.h.i.+p, I hear, is foundering also. We'll have to stand by till morning. Is everyone with us?”
The answer had hardly left the mate's lips when there came a cry from Sadie. Her finger shot out, and in a moment all saw the object which had attracted her attention. It was the figure of a man standing on the sinking steamer. Instantly a groan escaped the captain.
”Couldn't risk going back for him,” he said; ”he must swim for it.”
”But he's disabled; he's the man with a broken arm,” sang out Jim. ”He couldn't swim if you paid him to.”
”Can't help it; I've the boat's crew to think of,” declared the captain, shaking his head sadly. ”That s.h.i.+p's on the point of diving; we're too close as it is. If I go nearer we risk the lives of all, your sister's into the bargain.”
”A fact,” cried the mate emphatically. ”The skipper's saying only what's true.”
”Ah! I thought she was going then!” shouted one of the crew aboard the boat, seeing the steamer lurch suddenly. ”'Tain't more'n a matter of seconds.”
”Then I'll chance being in time; I'm going for him.”
Jim tore off his coat, and kicked his shoes away. Before they realized his intentions he had stepped on to the gunwale, and had plunged head foremost into the sea.