CHAPTER V.
FROM THE "AMAZONIA."
Benny was astir very early next morning, eager to show the crew of thestation that he appreciated to the utmost their generosity in thusgiving him a home, and when the men came down to breakfast the cookdeclared that the boy had performed considerably more than half thework of preparing the meal.
"He's a handy lad around a kitchen, an' I'm thinkin' we'll be gettin'the best of the bargain in adoptin' him, providin' he holds out ashe's begun," the cook said confidentially to Sam Hardy, and the latterreplied emphatically:
"You mark my words, cookee; he ain't the kind of a lad who wears outquickly. I'm countin' on his growin' better every day, an' before nextwinter we'll make a surfman of him."
"Now don't take too many chances, Sam. That little shaver ain't of theright build to knock around in rough water with the likes of you, an'there's too much danger in it for him."
"I don't agree with you there, cookee. He's spry as a kitten, an' withgrit enough to do anything another can."
"I'll admit he'd make a try for it; but I don't want to see him pushedtoo far."
Benny's entrance put an end to the conversation for the time being,and following him, as a matter of course, was Fluff C. Foster, who hadbecome sufficiently well acquainted with the men to greet each in turnby sitting up and barking shrilly as he held out one paw.
Every man shook hands with the little fellow, after which he leaped upinto the chair he had occupied the day previous.
"Knows his place like a little gentleman," Joe Cushing cried in a toneof admiration as he stroked the dog's silken hair, and Benny saidapprehensively:
"I'm almost afraid Fluff will get so much petting that he'll forgethis good manners. This very morning he acted as if the whole stationbelonged to him."
"What did he do, Benny?" Keeper Downey asked with a laugh.
"He was determined to walk straight out of doors, even though the bigdog was sitting there waiting to teach him better manners."
"Hasn't he been out yet?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I carried him down by the shore where he could runaround while I watched the other dog."
"We must introduce him to Maje after breakfast," Sam Hardy said, ashe slyly gave Fluff a bit of meat, and laughed until the tears cameinto his eyes as he watched the little fellow trying to eat it withoutbetraying the fact to Benny. "Fluff C. Foster has rights around thisstation as well as Maje, an' they must be respected."
"Don't let the introduction take too long," Keeper Downey saidwarningly. "It is beach-apparatus drill day, and too much time must notbe wasted, because I'm counting on getting the boats out to have a lookat what is left of the----"
He ceased speaking very suddenly as his gaze rested on Benny; but thecrew understood that it was the keeper's purpose to overhaul suchportions of the _Amazonia_ as yet remained upon the rocks, although itwas hardly probable anything of value would be found.
After breakfast the cook would have excused Benny from the task ofwashing dishes, so eager were the men to witness the first meeting ofthe dogs; but the new member of the crew begged permission to performhis regular duties before indulging in what was very like play.
Not until the kitchen was put in proper order did Benny consider thathe was at liberty to go out of doors, even though all the men, save thekeeper himself, insisted that there was no good reason why he shouldnot take advantage of the cook's proposition.
Then, with Fluff under his arm, he went out back of the stationbuildings, where, in a spot sheltered from the wind, the crew wasimpatiently awaiting his arrival.
Maje was present, appearing calmly indifferent to the unusual amountof interest suddenly displayed in him, but he pricked up his earsominously on seeing the white-haired visitor.
"Do you think there's any danger he'll hurt Fluff?" Benny askedsolicitously.
"Don't worry about that part of it," Sam Hardy replied confidently."Maje knows as well as we do that it's his duty to be polite tostrangers, an' if he shows signs of forgettin' it, we'll give him alesson that won't soon be forgot."
"Please don't whip him, for then he'd always remember that Fluff gothim into trouble, an' never would be friendly."
"Let young Foster down, an' I'll look after Maje," Joe Cushing said ashe grasped the big dog's collar.
There was a look of anxiety on Benny's face as he gave Fluff hisfreedom, and saw the little fellow walk directly up to Maje in the mostreckless fashion.
The big dog condescended to sniff at the impudent visitor, and then heturned his head away, as if to say that such small game was entirelybeneath his notice. Nor was it possible to persuade him into paying anyfurther attention to the guest, and after several fruitless efforts JoeCushing said with just a shade of disappointment in his tone:
"Your introduction hasn't turned out much of an affair after all, Sam.I allowed we might see some sport."
"I reckon Maje has seen Fluff too often, for I've caught him looking inwhen the doors were open. Most likely he's made up his mind that youngFoster has come to stay, an' don't intend to pay any attention to him.You can let your dog have the run of the station from this out Benny."
It did really seem that there was no reason to fear Maje might betempted to do mischief, and Benny turned to go into the building, forthe lamps and lanterns were yet to be trimmed.
The men arose to attend to the varied duties of the day, and for aninstant the attention of all was diverted from the animals.
It was as if Maje had been waiting for just such an opportunity. Ina twinkling, and with an agility that one would hardly have givenhim credit for, he seized Fluff by the neck, tossing him like a ballseveral feet in the air.
This done, he walked away quickly, evidently knowing what would be theresult if he lingered there many seconds.
Fluff howled dismally while he was yet in the air, and, once on hisfeet again, ran to Benny for protection, grumbling and whimpering as ifmaking complaint against such uncourteous treatment.
Sam Hardy and Joe Cushing turned instantly to pursue Maje; but Benny,holding Fluff tightly in his arms, begged of them not to punish the bigdog.
"Of course he's jealous, an' it'll only make him worse if you whip him.Please let him alone; I'm certain Fluff isn't hurt any."
"He howled as if his throat was cut," Sam said laughingly, as herelinquished the pursuit in accordance with Benny's request, and JoeCushing set about examining Fluff.
"He hasn't got so much as a scratch," was the report. "I reckon theworst that came to him was a big scare, an' I don't wonder at his bein'a bit afraid after such a rough handling."
"It'll teach him to keep out of Maje's way, and perhaps it's a goodthing, for he always was too inquisitive and impudent," Benny replied,but he took good care his pet should not receive another lesson thatforenoon, for he set his dog in a chair, sternly commanding him toremain there until further orders.
The cook was determined his assistant should have ample opportunity ofwitnessing the beach-apparatus drill, and as soon as the men had takentheir stations he insisted upon Benny's going into the boat-room, whereeverything was in readiness.
The beach-wagon is a two-wheeled vehicle not unlike a huge push-cart,and on it are loaded all the implements necessary for sending out to awreck and hauling the distressed mariners ashore.
Both the boy and the dog appeared to be deeply interested when thewagon was drawn out on the level ground in the rear of the station,where was erected an imitation of a ship's mast. A short distance fromthis spar the wagon was brought to a standstill, and out of it takena small cannon. The crew loaded the weapon with powder and a missileto which was attached a thin line that had been wound on pegs in awooden case known as a faking-box, in such fashion that it would unwindwithout resistance or snarling.
The cannon was aimed at the imitation mast, and discharged, the shotcarrying the line directly across the top, where was a man standing torepresent a mariner in distress.
The supposititious shipwrecked sailor drew in on the thi
n line asif working for life, and soon brought over the top a stouter rope,sufficient to sustain the weight of a human being.
When this had been made fast both on the spar and near the cart, theman was drawn down exactly as one would be pulled ashore from a wreck.
The work had been performed exactly as if human lives were really indanger, and Benny received his first lesson in life-saving, but not hislast, for he soon had ample opportunity of seeing the crew work when itappeared as if both they and those whom they sought to save, would beswept into eternity by the angry waters.
After the apparatus had been repacked in the wagon, the casting-linecarefully rewound on the pegs that it might be in perfect order when itshould again be needed, and orders were given to make ready with theboat, Benny returned to the kitchen, where the cook was already at workpreparing dinner.
"You'll soon get used to that sort of thing, for it's pretty much alldrill out here, except when the weather is bad."
"I should think they'd soon know it so well that there wouldn't be anyneed of doing so much work," Benny replied, as he set about paring thepotatoes.
"They do," the cook said with a laugh; "but just read these 'ere rulesand regulations on 'Drill and Exercise,' an' you'll see that men atlife-saving stations ain't allowed to spend very much idle time. Allthat's set down there is to be gone through with every day, in additionto patrolling the shore, which, as you have seen already, ain'tchild's play. Not that I'm grumblin' about the work, for it's well theboys are kept out of idleness; but this will show how hard they've gotto work."
The cook handed Benny a thin, black-covered book bearing the title_Revised Regulations_, and on the page exposed to view the lad read thelines given below:
"168. The following weekly routine of drill, etc., will be observedduring the first month of the active season at all regularly mannedstations in the Service:
"_Monday._--Practice with beach-apparatus and overhaul and examine allapparatus and gear.
"_Tuesday._--Practice with surf and life-boat.
"_Wednesday._--Practice with signals.
"_Thursday._--Practice with beach-apparatus.
"_Friday._--Practice resuscitation.
"_Saturday._--Clean house.
"After the first month the practice with beach-apparatus on Monday maybe omitted.
"169. Whenever the regular practice is prevented by wreck duty, stormyweather, or high surf, it must take place the first opportunitythereafter. Whenever practice is so prevented, the fact must be enteredupon the journal, with full particulars of the cause.
"170. No wilful neglect on the part of the keepers to practice theircrews, as directed in the foregoing routine, will be tolerated, and theofficers of the district are required to permit none.
"171. By practice with the beach-apparatus is meant the musteringof the crew, the recital by each member of his particular duty, andthe rigging of the gear over a distance of seventy-five yards fromsand-anchor to wreck-pole, according to the method set forth in thebeach-apparatus drill. Powder must be used in every case, and thepractice, so far as practicable, be precisely the same as at a wreck,using the apparatus upon the carriage, excepting the long whip. Ifnecessary, to preserve the hawser, a coil of rope may be taken to thepractice ground, and placed at the rear of the carriage, and used inits stead. If a practising shot-line is used, it must be removed frompins, and fired from the box precisely as in actual service. The useof powder will be dispensed with when the supply on hand is reduced tothree pounds, at which time the district superintendent or residentassistant inspector will be notified.
"172. Boat practice will consist in launching and landing through thesurf, and at least one half-hour's exercise of the men in handlingtheir oars, as directed in the prescribed boat-drill. Going off andlanding through the surf will not be sufficient to enter upon thejournal as practice.
"173. Practice of resuscitation will consist in each member of thecrew repeating the rules, as hereinafter provided, using the words ofthe book, and afterwards illustrating them by manipulations upon thesucceeding member of the crew. Thus, the keeper will work upon SurfmanNo. 1, No. 1 upon No. 2, etc., and No. 7 upon the keeper. At the closeof this exercise the keeper will open the medicine-chest, and questioneach man upon the uses of the remedies contained therein.
"174. Practice with the International Code Signals will consist inquestions by the keeper to each member of the crew upon the colors ofthe different flags, the definitions of the two-, three-, and four-flaghoists and the distinguishing flag or pennant of each, the part of thecode-book necessary to turn to when reading and when making a signal,etc., and in actual conversation or communication by means of theminiature signals provided for each station.
"175. In fine weather signals and books may be borrowed for one dayfrom the adjacent station, and by erecting a temporary pole, the crewpractised in the use of flags, which will fix the method of their usein the mind more effectively than any other practice.
"176. No departure from the prescribed drill for the use of thebeach-apparatus in any of its details will be made by districtsuperintendents or other officers without the sanction of the GeneralSuperintendent, previously obtained."
Benny read all this carefully, as if trying to fix the whole upon hismemory, and then asked:
"What is the 'active season'?"
"That's when we begin work in the fall. You must know that all the crewdon't stay here during the summer. The active season is from September1st to May 1st; but the keeper holds on the year round."
"Are you a surfman?" Benny asked after a pause.
"No, my son, I'm only the cook, and hired by the men, instead of theGovernment, so you see I don't come in for all these long hours. Mywork is no harder in stormy weather, while then it is that every otherman is on duty all the time. I have seen this same crew worked fortyhours on a stretch, wet to the skin and half frozen, with never asingle word of complaint. They are just putting off in the surf-boat,and I reckon it would be worth your while to watch them, Benny. We'vegot the dinner so far along that there's nothing to be done for aspell, so you and Fluff C. Foster had best stay out in the open airwhile you can."
The lad had a strong desire to see the crew afloat, otherwise he mightnot have taken advantage of the permission while there was any work tobe performed.
Fluff had remained in the chair like an obedient dog that he could bewhen so disposed; but he came down after the fashion of an exceedinglysmall and very white whirlwind at the first word from his master.
"Be careful that old Maje ain't layin' anywhere outside on the watch,"the cook cried; but Benny believed there was no necessity for him tobe over-cautious regarding the safety of his pet. Fluff's experiencewith the big dog had been such that he did not intend giving Majeanother opportunity of playing ball with him; he marched sedately andvery close at Benny's heels from the station, down to that point on theshore overlooking the reef on which the _Amazonia_ had gone to pieces.
It was the first time the lad had seen the wreck of the ship whichserved him as a home during so many months, because every member of thecrew had taken especial care to prevent his wandering in that direction.
On this morning the men most likely believed Benny would be employedin the kitchen, and, perhaps, expected the cook would prevent him fromgoing out on the shore; but if the latter had thought of the matter atall, it was probably with the idea that the boy must at some time seethe small portion of the ship which remained on the rocks, and as wellthen as at any other.
At all events, he allowed his assistant to go out as has been seen,and instantly Benny came in view of these vestiges of disaster all thesorrow of the past came over him like a flood, drowning for the timebeing every other thought save of that night, when he alone out of allthe ship's company came safely to land.
Seated upon the rocks he buried his face in Fluff's silken hair, andgave way once more to his grief. Then, the outburst of tears having ina measure soothed him, he looked out upon the frowning reef whereonthe _Amazonia
_ ended her cruise.
The forward portion of the dismembered hull, with the foremast stillstanding, and a few timbers of the after portion, was all that remainedto tell of the stately vessel which had plowed her way through so manyoceans only to meet with disaster when virtually within sight of thehome port.
"It won't do for us to be crying all the time, Fluff, else the crewwill get tired, and think perhaps we'd better find some other job; butwe shall keep on feeling sorry just so long as we live because thecaptain and Mrs. Clark didn't come ashore with us."
It was his own words which reminded Benny of the fact that the bodiesof those who had been drowned would, in the ordinary course of events,be washed ashore, and at the very moment this came into his mind he sawthe life-saving crew taking from the wreckage what was unquestionably ahuman body.
"Oh, Fluff, Fluff, it may be our captain that they have found! We can'tstay here and see them bring him ashore!"
Hugging the dog so tightly that the little fellow uttered a low cry ofprotest, Benny ran back to the station, and there it was necessary toexplain to the cook why his eyes were red and swollen from weeping.
"No, my son, it's not the captain's body they have found, for that wascarried into the city last night, together with the remains of his wifeand some of the sailors. You were sent out on patrol with Sam Hardy andJoe Cushing so you shouldn't see what was being done; but it had to beknown, and now it is as good a time as any other for you to be told."
Benny tried unsuccessfully to check his tears, and the cook, observingthe struggle, said in a kindly tone:
"Look here, lad; you've had in your short life a good bit of sadness,an' it ain't to be wondered at that this last blow comes mighty tough.Now take my advice, and have a solid cry. Go back into the thicket,for there's no need of your seein' what the crew will bring ashore, ifit so be you were not mistaken about what was taken from the wreck. Goback into the thicket with the dog, and stay there till I call you fordinner. It'll help you out, and prevent some ugly sights."
Benny hesitated. This running away from work in order to spare himselfadditional sorrow was not to his mind manly, and he feared lest thosewho had constituted themselves his guardians might censure him for sodoing.
"I can't help feeling bad; but that ain't any reason why I shouldn'tstay where I belong, for no matter how much work I do, it won't bepossible to pay Fluff's board and mine. I think perhaps I ought to holdon right here."
"Do as I tell you, my boy. I'll explain to the men when they come in,and you may be certain that the keeper himself would give the sameadvice in the form of an order, if he was ashore. There's no reasonto take more bitter things in this life than is necessary; so be offwith you, and I'll answer for it that Fluff C. Foster won't object to atramp through the woods."
Benny could do no less than act upon this suggestion, which was atthe same time a command, and with Fluff under his arm he set off, notdaring to turn his head seaward lest he should see the crew engaged intheir gruesome work.
Once within the shelter of the pine trees, where patches of brown mosscould be seen here and there, much to the delight of Fluff, Benny gaveway to his gloomy thoughts until the antics of the dog, overjoyed athaving this opportunity for a scamper after so many months of life onshipboard, aroused him from his mournful revery.
Then, and he blamed himself most severely for finding it possibleto do other than mourn at such a time, he yielded to the dog's muteentreaties, and the two ran here and there under the trees, the lowmoaning of the murderous surf alone breaking the silence, until thecook's cries told that the noon-day meal was ready.
When Benny answered the summons the boat-room door was closed, and hebelieved this had been done to shut out from view those forms which hadcome ashore from the _Amazonia_.