CHAPTER VIII
THE LOSS OF THE "MAINE"
Thanks to a healthy constitution, and to the fact that, though painful,his wound was really a simple one, Hal Marchant was very soon off thesick-list, and in the stage of convalescence.
From the railway station at which the train had set them down, he andMr. Brindle, together with Dora and Gerald, were driven into thecountry, along dusty roads which were fenced in on every side byluxuriant vegetation of every description and hue. Sometimes a long,flat, and unsightly marsh came into view, and at the sound of the wheelsthousands of wild-fowl rose, screaming, into the air. But they soonbegan to ascend, though at a gentle slope, which the mules galloped up,still at the same steady pace.
Up and up the road mounted, curved suddenly to the left, and thenquickly disappeared into a dense jungle of trees and growth, from whichthe delicious perfume of orange blossom was wafted.
"Here we are, and very thankful we ought to be, my lad," said Mr.Brindle, addressing Hal. "Look over there. Welcome to the 'Barn.' Thisis our winter residence, and here I guarantee that you will soon getback that color which you have lost."
He pointed with his cane to a fine bungalow which appeared at thatmoment at the end of an open glade, nestling beneath a wreath offoliage.
It was, indeed, a perfect place for an invalid. Perched high up onsandy soil, and surrounded by a forest of gorgeous orange trees, thehouse peeped over the top of the leaves at a scene beautiful beyonddescription. In the veranda, arm in sling, and with legs lazilystretched along the sides of a big cane chair, Hal could lie the wholeday long, gazing across a sea of green shrubs and leaves--a sea whichrustled musically, and was ever changing from brightest green toshimmering blue in the rays of the southern sun. And if he but liftedhis eyes an inch or two, a rocky, irregular coast, and an ocean beyond,looking for all the world like a strip of brightly burnished steel,filled him with a sort of rapture, so that to lie there was no hardship,and the hours never dragged, but flew by almost too rapidly for hisliking.
"You are an exceedingly good patient," said Dora one day, more than twoweeks later, coming on to the veranda and taking a seat which stoodvacant by his side; "but I suppose this obedience will not continue forlong. The doctor who has been attending you says that your wound ismerely a pin-prick--how he can be so very unfeeling I do not know!Still, he is convinced that it is now so far healed that it requiresvery little attention or dressing. That means, I suppose, that you willthrow off my authority, and do your best to get into trouble again atthe very first opportunity. What have you to say to that, sir?"
"Pin-prick! Quite so, Dora," Hal answered, with a smile. "The wound is,of course, quite a simple affair, and I am really fit for anything. Asto more trouble, I can only say that, if it comes, I hope you will bethere to nurse me again."
It was an unusual thing for Hal to indulge in pretty speeches, and itwas as much as he could do to get the words out. His bashfulness madethem stick in his throat, though he meant every syllable.
"I'm sure you've been awfully good to me, Dora," he said. "How can Irepay you?"
"Oh, nonsense! Good, indeed! I have only done what any other girl wouldgladly have undertaken; and you forget, Hal, that you were wounded inhelping my father. There, we are evens! We owe nothing to each other,though, if you ever have an opportunity, I am sure you will do yourutmost for us."
"Hallo! What's this? Pretty speeches, and from my Dora, too! Who wouldhave thought it!"
Mr. Brindle stepped on to the veranda just in time to overhear the endof the conversation between the young people, and burst into a heartyfit of laughter.
"There, it is only my chaff," he added with a smile. "A little gratitudeon either side is what one would have expected. But how are you, Hal?When do you think you could travel?"
"Now; as soon as you like, Mr. Brindle," exclaimed Hal, springing to hisfeet. "Take a look at me. I am as well as ever; and as for the arm,beyond a little stiffness, which will soon pass away, I have no troublewith it."
"Then, we'll clear for the ever-faithful island of Cuba, and for our gaylittle hacienda, Eldorado. Hal, you shall see a spot which comparesfavorably with this. I built this house in which we are living more thanfifteen years ago, but the hacienda not for some time later. To my eyesthe latter is perfect. It is a gentleman's country residence, and, withits grounds, is a beautiful oasis in a desert of impenetrable jungle andburnt-out plantations--not to mention swamps innumerable, for which theeastern end of the island is notorious. But you shall judge foryourself. To-morrow we will make our preparations, and on the followingday the steamer will sail with us from Tampa for Havana."
Accordingly, all at the "Barn" were extremely busy, Hal even taking hisarm from the sling to lend a hand on occasion. By the second morningtheir packing was completed, and, leaving the house in possession of anegro caretaker, the party was driven away in the mule cart to theharbor at Tampa. Three days later they sighted the coast of Cuba, thebiggest and one of the oldest of Spanish colonies in the West whichremained at that moment in the hands of Spain.
"It is at once the finest and the most unfortunate island in theseseas," remarked Mr. Brindle to Hal and Gerald, as they gazed towards thedistant shore. "For years--I cannot at the moment recollect howmany--the bulk of the inhabitants have been in rebellion. Fighting hastaken place almost incessantly between the Spanish rulers and the nativepopulation; and things have come to such a pass that ruin stareseveryone in the face. Planters and their laborers have had hard timesindeed, but I trust a brighter future is in store for us. America hasintervened between insurgents and Spaniards, and it seems that herinfluence will avert further bloodshed, and peace and prosperity willthen return to this smiling land. I am sure I hope it will be so.Personally I have not lost, though others have. But it is a long story,lads, and I will reserve it for another time. Take a look through myglasses, Hal, and tell me what you see."
Mr. Brindle suddenly handed his field-glasses to Hal, and pointedtowards the harbor.
"I see a big passenger boat in there," the latter said, after taking along and steady look. "She is lying against the quay, and close besideher are two ships, which look like men-of-war--one flying Spanishcolors, and the other the Stars and Stripes of America."
"Good! I thought so," Mr. Brindle exclaimed. "That vessel sailingbeneath the colors of Yankee land is the battleship _Maine_, and she ishere on a special visit, which it is hoped will cement a long friendshipbetween the two countries. Now, I fancy we had better go below andprepare for dinner. The gong sounds in half an hour."
By half-past eight that night, the ever-memorable 15th of February,1898, the ship upon which Hal and his friends were passengers hadanchored in the harbor of Havana. On the upper deck, beneath the glareof the electric light, they made a group that was interesting andpleasing to the eye.
Stretched in hammock chairs, Mr. Brindle cigar in mouth, and all dressedin white, relieved in Dora's case by a sash of palest blue, they chattedin low voices, now and again lapsing into silence and listening to thesounds that came from other ships across the placid water and from thedimly lit streets of the town. Some sailor lad aboard the _Maine_ wasdelighting his fellows with banjo and song, and our hero and his friendslistened as if enchanted.
"Ah, honey, my honey"--the words came clear and strong; then they dieddown and became merged with the notes of the banjo, only to burst forthagain as the audience took up the chorus, and sent it swelling acrossthe harbor.
"How nice it sounds! How peaceful!" exclaimed Mr. Brindle, thoughtfully."God grant that this visit from America to a Spanish port may settleevery squabble. I am sure braver and more agreeable fellows could nothave been sent; and if only the Dons are as friendly, all will be well.Listen! How those lads love that song! They would sing it by the hour ifthey were able. But there sounds the bugle, and away they go to theirhammocks. I think, Dora dear, that it is time you and Gerald also wentto your bunks. Remember, we have a long and tiring day before usto-morrow, and you will be in need of all your
energies. Now, off withyou! Hal and I will stay on deck a little longer, as I wish to speak tohim."
The two young people looked somewhat disappointed, but strict obediencebeing amongst their virtues, they said "good-night" and retired.
"Now for a stroll, Hal," commenced Mr. Brindle. "I have much to say toyou, and you have a great deal before you, for which a little advicegiven now will prepare you. Within three days we shall be at Eldorado,and new duties and new faces will confront you. I want you to have someknowledge of them beforehand, for it will be better if my overseer cancome to the plantation ready for any emergency. You will thus make abetter start, and will be held in higher estimation by the men. That isthe secret of plantation work. Respect yourself, show that you arecapable, fair, and strong, and the negro hands will be ready to obey youin every particular."
Mr. Brindle took Hal by the arm, and walked him up and down beneath theawning. At length, having communicated to him all the information hewished, he led the way aft, and the two leaned against the rails at thestern of the ship.
Havana, one of the oldest harbors in the West, lay wrapped in the blackmantle of night, dotted here and there by the riding light of some smallfishing schooner, bobbing gently to the swell which ran through theharbor channel. Closer at hand were other lights, flashing, tier abovetier, from the state cabins of the _City of Washington_--a leviathanwhich was filled to overflowing with passengers. She was a contrast tothe _Maine_, aboard which all those who had been so merry andlighthearted seemed now fast asleep. But for her riding lights, and thereflection from her gunroom, she was enveloped in darkness, into which aflicker from her smoke-stacks sometimes flew, to disappear in a moment.Not a sound came from her deck. All was still, and every soul beneathher armor-plates, save the few who kept the watch, lay wrapped insleep--sleep, alas! to extend forever and ever, to hold them in its coldembrace till the end of everything.
What was that? Crash! A second or two's interval, and then anerve-shaking boom, an appalling explosion, a rush of flame into thenight, that lights up the surroundings for miles. And then? Ah, Heavens!shriek upon shriek, the clatter of scattered wreckage and rent iron uponquay and neighboring ships, and the hissing of flaming woodwork fallinginto the sea. A minute before there floated as fine a vessel as eversailed from the shores of America, carrying, too, as gallant a crew asever shipped under the famous star-spangled banner. Where were they now?
Clinging to the rail, stunned by the roar of the explosion, and dazed bythe suddenness of it all, Hal and Mr. Brindle looked at a heap offlaring wreckage, and wondered what had happened. Then the explanationburst upon them with a shock and a rush which almost unmanned them.
"She has blown up! The _Maine_ has been smashed to pieces! Howdreadful!" exclaimed Mr. Brindle, in a breath.
"Yes, something awful has happened," Hal answered. "Quick, sir; theremay be men to be saved. Let us help; everyone will be required, and wemay be of use. Come; I see them manning one of the boats."
Without waiting for further conversation, he sprang towards the gangway,followed closely by Mr. Brindle.
"That's it! More lads for the work. Slip along down that 'ere gangway,and get fixed up to your places," sang out a quartermaster, who stood onthe deck close to the ladder leading to the boat below.
As cool as if nothing unusual had happened, he waited a few moments tocollect more men, and then hurried down to the boat in which Hal and Mr.Brindle had taken their places.
"Get hold of them there oars," he cried hoarsely. "Some of yer aer newat the game, but yer can pull for what we want. There, shove her off, mylad, and out oars all of yer. Bust me! aer some of yer goin' ter taketwo weeks about it? Bustle yourselves! Aer yer ready? Then fetch hold ofyour time from me. Now--pull--again--once more, my hearties--pull--atit, lads--we are nearer--good boys--with a will;--pull ho--alltogether--ah, steady there all."
Never could an amateur crew have had a better coxswain. There was noconfusion, and no desperate hurry. Instead, coached by thequartermaster, they sent the boat flying through the water, and beforethey could have expected it, were close beside the _Maine_.
"She's down by the head," cried Mr. Brindle, who sat next to Hal. "Keepa look-out for any man in the water."
"Aye, she's down, and will go more too," the quartermaster shouted."She's flaring like a torch, so I reckon we ought ter see any poorfeller who happens ter be about in need of help."
Indeed, the bows of the _Maine_ were crushed into shapeless wreckage,which was burning fiercely, the flames lighting up the whole of theharbor. By this time, too, the death-like silence, which had fallenimmediately after the first cries for help, was broken by a roar offrightened voices from the town. People rushed from their housesdemanding what had happened. Bells clanged the alarm, and thefire-brigade turned out, ready for any emergency. And, meanwhile, everyship in the harbor sent her boats on an errand of mercy, and soon thesailors, who but a few short minutes before had been sleepingpeacefully, were being lifted from the water. But not all were there tobe helped; numbers of the poor fellows had sunk, others still slept--theeverlasting sleep--beneath the shattered plates of the _Maine_.
"Look, there is one sailor," cried Mr. Brindle suddenly, pointing to afigure struggling close beside the _Maine_, and seeming to be almostenveloped in flame. "Quick, quartermaster; let us row in and rescuehim."
"No; can't be done. It's hard ter say it, but it can't," was the curtanswer, given with a sad shake of the head. "That 'ere chap don'tscorch, because he's under water. We should, though. We'd be blisteredand dried like so many herrings. It's hard, sir, but it's out o' thequestion."
"Not quite," muttered Hal. "Hold on to my oar, Mr. Brindle. I'm goingfor him."
Next moment there was a splash, and he was overboard, swimming towardsthe flaming wreck as strongly as though he had never suffered a wound onhis shoulder. A few lusty strokes took him close to the man, who by thiswas spinning round and round in the water, wholly unconscious, and onthe point of sinking. His hand shot in the air, his fingers clutchingdesperately, while his eyes seemed on the point of bursting from theirsockets. A sudden flare from the burning woodwork lit up the ghastlyscene, and showed the poor fellow's mouth wide open in the act of givingvent to a cry for help. But just then the water swirled about him,overflowing his face, and hiding all but the pair of hands, which stillgrasped despairingly at the air.
"I'll save him whatever happens," said Hal to himself, sinking for amoment to escape the fierce heat of the flames, which burst forthfuriously from the deck and sides of the unfortunate _Maine_. He swambeneath the water, and rising a minute later beside the man, grasped himby the shoulders, and easily turned him upon his back. From that momentall was plain sailing, for it was not for nothing that Hal had learnedto swim. Floating beside the drowning sailor, he kicked out with hislegs, and towed him towards the boat. Before he thought it possible theywere alongside, and were being hauled on board.
"Good lad! You're one of the right sort!" sang out the quartermaster."There, sit right down and get hold of your wind. Perhaps yer'll bewanting it again in a minute. Hillo! aint that another poor feller?"
He shielded his eyes from the glare by placing his hand to his forehead,and looked towards the _Maine_ once more. A piece of wreckage floatedinto the light, and on it was seen another poor sailor, clinging for hislife.
"Ah, there he aer! Can't yer see him, boys? He's right under the ship,and she's scorching the life out of him."
"Yes, he's too close to the fire again; and if we row in there we shouldall be shriveled," remarked Hal, very quietly. "Here, I'm for it again,so keep a look-out for me, quartermaster."
Once more he slipped overboard, and, pursuing the same tactics, escapedthe heat by diving beneath the water. When he reached the plank uponwhich the sailor was lying, it was to find him, like the other,unconscious, and almost dead from the combined results of heat andsmoke. He did not trouble to take the man from the float, but pushed ittowards the boat, and in due time had the satisfaction of seeing himlifted fr
om the water with the aid of many willing hands. Then the boatpulled round the flaming wreck, and, finding no one else in the water,went beneath the stern, which was free of flames, and made fast to arope.
"Now, right aboard, my hearties!" cried the quartermaster. "If there'schaps blown into the sea, there's safe ter be a tidy few knocked sillybetween the decks, and they'll want helping. Aer there any man aboardthis boat as feels like coming up? It's ticklish business, for thiscraft has tons of powder in her magazines, and I reckon the fire'll soonfind it out. Aer anyone following?"
He sprang at the rope ladder which dangled overboard, and swarmed up it,followed by everyone who had accompanied him in the boat, save, ofcourse, those who had been rescued from the sea.
"What, aer the whole crew of yer coming?" exclaimed the quartermaster."George, but yer aer the finest set of pards I ever come across! Everyblessed soul of yer itchin' ter get blow sky-high!"
He waved to them, motioning to them to scatter in all directions, whichthey did at once, diving below, and penetrating as far forward as theheat would allow.
"There is danger of the magazines exploding right aft here," Hal heardsomeone exclaim in the calmest tones. "Say, men, who is for it? I wantsix of the boldest and best."
The voice, which was that of a young man, came from an officer standingbeside him. At the words a number of dark figures sprang forward from agroup occupied in lowering a boat, and Hal promptly pushed his way inamongst them.
"That's the way; and now for the buckets, boys," the officer who hadspoken first exclaimed. "Fill 'em up, and follow down below. Quick's theword, for there isn't much time to lose."
Grasping the rope attached to a wooden bucket, one sturdy sailor flungit overboard, and soon filled a couple of others, which stood at hisfeet, while four more were taken to a sea-cock close at hand. Halquickly possessed himself of one, and at once hurried below to themagazine.
"Hillo! and who's this?" the officer asked, stepping up to him andlifting a lantern to his face.
"I'm a volunteer from a ship alongside," Hal answered.
"And a Britisher?"
"Yes."
"Good! Put it right there." The lieutenant shook him heartily by thehand.
A moment later the men threw open the magazine, in spite of the terriblerisk they ran, and flung the contents of their buckets upon theexplosives. Then they raced to the deck again for a fresh supply ofwater, and did not cease from their arduous labors till all danger ofanother explosion was at an end.
Flinging his bucket away, Hal now made a tour of that part of the shipwhich was not in flames. Then, having helped to lift three injured meninto the boat, he descended himself, and at the quartermaster's orderthey returned to their own ship. A few minutes later, Captain Sigsbee,the commander of the _Maine_, stepped sadly from her deck, and was rowedaway, the last living man to leave the terrible scene.
As for Hal, he slipped into a fresh suit of clothes, and for hoursworked with the other passengers endeavoring to alleviate the sufferingsof the poor fellows brought aboard the ship. Then, tired out with hislabors, for he had taken a prominent and a large share in the work ofrescue, he retired to the upper deck, with Mr. Brindle, Gerald, andDora, and flung himself into a chair. But though utterly fatigued, hewas too horrified by the ghastly tragedy he had witnessed, and tooshaken by all that had happened in the past few hours, to be able to getto sleep. It was out of the question, so that instead of going straightto his bunk, he felt that he must stay in the open air, where he couldrest, and at the same time talk over the occurrence with his friends.
"I've a weight here," he cried peevishly, striking himself on the chest."The horror of it all distresses me. What a terrible calamity!"
"Aye, what a misfortune! What an inhuman deed!" replied Mr. Brindle, ina voice which faltered in spite of himself. "Think of it; try to realizethe cruelty of it all. In the times of peace, in the cause of good-will,and in the earnest attempt to bring alleviation of suffering to along-stricken people, the poor lads of my adopted country are cruellyblown to pieces, sent into eternity at the very door of those who haveinvited them. They came with nothing but friendship in their hearts,expecting to meet with the same. The shock of the news will be felt fromeast to west, and from north to south, and everywhere will be receivedat first with incredulity, and later with loathing and scorn, for neverwas such a dastardly deed committed."
"Committed by whom? What do you mean?" asked Hal, in astonishment. "Doyou really think that the explosion was arranged--that it was not a pureaccident?"
"I do; unhappily, I do," answered Mr. Brindle sternly. "How could ithave been otherwise? It is sad, far too sad for words, and I shall bemistaken if to-night's work does not prove the cause of a war betweenSpain and America."
"But why war, Mr. Brindle? Had matters come to such a pass that thedestruction of the _Maine_ would set the countries at each other'sthroats?"
"Perhaps not that, Hal, for the aspect of affairs of late was distinctlybrighter. Still, I think I am right in saying that the wrath of theAmerican people will be so great when the news is known, that serioustrouble will be inevitable. But come, let us to our bunks. To-morrow wewill talk the matter over."
"To our bunks, dad! I could not possibly sleep!" exclaimed Dora.
"Nor I," chimed in Gerald.
"And I must confess that I am too troubled and too disturbed to sleep,"said Mr. Brindle.
"Then why not fill the time in till morning dawns by telling us aboutthis affair?" cried Hal. "We are all agreed that we cannot sleep; wehave done our utmost for those who suffered during or after theexplosion, and now we have nothing to do but to lounge here, and fumeand fret till to-morrow. Be kind to us, Mr. Brindle. Stir your memory,and let us know the ins and outs of the whole story."
"Well, I will; and if I try your patience, bear with me a little,"replied Mr. Brindle. "The quarrel is not of a day's making, nor does itturn upon one single point. Cuba is the cause of it all, and as we arehere, perhaps no more fitting spot could be selected for a descriptionof the rebellion and bloodshed which have caused trouble between Spainand America."