Part 19 (2/2)

”Oh, it'll do us good, I guess,” laughed Frank.

In the days that followed other drills were held aboard the battles.h.i.+p, though they were made as light as possible on account of the hot weather in the tropics.

When the general-quarters call was sounded, all took their stations at the guns for fighting the s.h.i.+p. This was what would be done on going into action, and that drill was usually preceded by the ”clearing s.h.i.+p for action” order. In this the upper decks were cleared of all unnecessary rigging, not actually required for fighting. In this drill it is sometimes customary to lower the boats, but as the _Georgetown_ was speeding to accomplish a certain mission she was not stopped to permit the lowering of the small boats.

”Abandon s.h.i.+p” was another drill that interested Ned and Frank. This drill often came after collision drill, and was supposed to indicate that the s.h.i.+p had been so badly damaged in action that she was likely to sink. When the ”abandon” signal was given each man rushed to his particular station at the small boats.

Each man had also to get a certain amount of food or supplies which was always his portion, and stow this in the boat. So proficient did the blue-jackets become that in a few minutes after the signal had been given to abandon s.h.i.+p the whole crew, officers and all, would be ready to take to the boats and pull away. And in the boats would be enough food for several days, as well as other comforts and necessities.

Everything possible is thought of in advance, and preparations made for all emergencies, from fire or explosion on board, to an attack by an enemy.

Down past the shoulder of Brazil slipped the _Georgetown_, and as she was now leaving the equator and going south, the heat of the weather moderated a little. Still it was warm enough.

”It won't be long before we shall be there,” remarked Frank to Ned one day, as they stood on the forward deck, looking across the sea.

”Yes, we ought to be there soon. I hope we're in time.”

”In time? What do you mean?”

”I mean I hope the revolution isn't all over.”

”Oh, I see,” laughed Frank.

Suddenly the lookout cried:

”Steamer ho!”

”Where away?” came the demand.

”Almost dead ahead. Looks like some sort of cruiser.”

Ned, Frank and several others, including a number of officers looked in the direction indicated. There, speeding away ahead of the _Georgetown_, was a craft that did look like a small fighting craft.

”Can you make out her flag?” asked one officer to another.

”No, not yet,” was the reply, as the one addressed peered through his gla.s.ses.

”Yes, I can, too!” he cried a moment later. ”If those rascals of revolutionists of Uridio haven't got a navy! Well, who would have thought it!”

”Let me see,” demanded the other. ”Yes,” he continued a moment later, ”it is a small cruiser, and she flies the hostile flag. They must have bought some old fighting craft that some nation considered out of date.

The captain must be informed.”

A little later there sounded down in the engine room of the _Georgetown_ the signal from the bridge of, ”full speed ahead!”

”Are we going to chase her?” asked Ned.

”It looks that way,” said his brother.

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