CHAPTER IX.
OFFICIAL PERMISSION.
The story told by the stranger did not differ materially from thatwhich the cook had imagined after seeing the overturned gunning-skiff.
The young gentleman, Francis P. Bradford by name, had been paddlingaround the shore, keeping well within the shadow of the rocks in thehope of getting a good bag of wild ducks when they settled upon thewater at sunset. He had begun the voyage from a point two miles ormore distant, and approached in such manner that the men who were onwatch could not have seen him.
The shallow skiff, which Sam Hardy declared very emphatically "waslittle better than an egg-shell," had run upon a submerged rock, and,the swell arising at that instant, overset her, throwing the sportsmaninto the water.
Encumbered as he was by heavy clothing, and being by no means a skilfulswimmer, the sportsman could do no more than keep himself afloat, whilethe boat was driven by the wind farther and farther from the shore.
Knowing that a life-saving station was near at hand, he shouted forhelp; but, as has been said, it was impossible to make any veryloud outcry, and, rapidly becoming exhausted, he believed death wasinevitable until there suddenly appeared on the bluff, to use his ownwords, "what looked to be a ball of white cotton blown along by thewind."
"I had no idea it was a dog," he said continuing the story, "until thefluffy object straightened itself out and began barking shrilly. I amcertain the little fellow understood my plight, for when some personcalled him he ran back a few paces, and then returned yelping andhowling until one would have said there was danger the volume of soundwould cause him to explode like an overcharged boiler."
Benny's eyes sparkled with delight as young Bradford continued topraise Fluff; but an expression of dissatisfaction came over his facewhen the sportsman declared his intention of leaving with Keeper Downeya sum of money to be expended in purchasing food and dainties for theanimal that had been the means of saving his life.
"What's the matter, Benny?" Sam asked, noting the look on the boy'sface.
"It won't do at all, sir," and Benny spoke very decidedly. "Fluffwouldn't like to be paid for such a thing as that, I'm certain, andbesides, if, as Mr. Cushing says, he is a member of the crew, then it'shis business to save life if he can, without thinking of taking moneyfor it."
"I'll guarantee that the idea of money never came into Fluff C.Foster's head!" Sam Hardy cried, laughing heartily. "You see, lad,what Mr. Bradford proposes is to give the dog a reward, and that anylife-saver is entitled to if it be offered voluntarily."
"It would please me if the gentleman wouldn't leave money for Fluff,"Benny insisted. "It don't seem right to take it for doing anything ofthe kind."
From that moment Mr. Bradford ceased to press the matter; but later inthe evening he had a long conversation with Tom Downey, and those whoaccidentally overheard scraps of the conversation understood that thekeeper was telling Benny's pitiful story.
Fluff was not interested in anything which was taking place around him.The feast of sugar which Joe Cushing had set out was so tempting and sodelicious that he gave heed to nothing else.
When the sweet repast had come to an end, however, the dog was pettedby first one and then another of the crew as he had never been before,and Benny said laughingly, as he took the little fellow in his armsfully half an hour before the usual time for retiring.
"Fluff will grow so proud that he'll be spoiled if all hands praise himin this fashion. He'd better go to bed, and I'll make him understandthat it was no more than his duty to bark when he saw Mr. Bradford inthe water."
Then the boy and the dog disappeared for the night, and after he hadleft the room the life savers and their guest held a long consultationof a business nature, which was to be kept a profound secret from Bennyand Fluff until all the details had been carried into effect.
On the following morning immediately after breakfast, Mr. Bradford leftthe station for the purpose of hiring some one of the farmers nearby tocarry him into the city.
Very gravely he thanked Benny for the great service which had beenrendered him by Fluff, urging the boy to promise that he would apply tohim if at any time in the future he should need assistance.
To this the lad agreed, and when the gentleman had taken his departuresaid confidentially to Sam Hardy:
"If Fluff and I are to be surfmen we shan't be obliged to beg fromanyone, and I'd a good deal rather earn what we need than have it givenus."
"Well, lad, it shall go your way, and I like the idea you've got inmind. Whether you and Fluff will be able to cut much of a figureas surfmen is a matter which needn't trouble us just now, for I'llguarantee you don't come to want while this crew holds together."
Benny went about his regular duties as if nothing out of the ordinaryhad occurred, and Fluff, believing himself safe from any attack byMaje, ran to and fro over the snow-covered rocks until his pink feetwere chilled by the frost, when he returned and, standing before hismaster, held up first one and then the other with a low whine whichtold of his discomfort.
The cook placed a chair near the stove, and, despite Benny'sprotestations, insisted that Fluff should occupy it whenever he hadbeen so foolish as to stay out of doors until thoroughly chilled.
"You have no business to play on the rocks while it is so cold," Bennysaid reprovingly, addressing himself to the dog.
"It's the nature of dogs and boys to be foolish at times, Benny, andsince they can't be expected to have better sense we must do whateverwe can to repair the mischief. Therefore Fluff C. Foster sits rightthere until he's comfortable once more. There's nothing to be donearound the kitchen for the next two or three hours, and seein' how youand the dog are bent on being surfmen, now is the chance to learn theduties of a crew when there's a wreck off shore, as in the case of the_Three Brothers_. Every man needs have in his head the manoeuvres to beperformed at such a time, and it's all set down here in the regulationsunder the head of 'Station Bill.'"
"What do you mean by that, sir?" Benny asked as he took the book fromthe cook's outstretched hand.
"It shows the station of each man after the beach-wagon is on theshore ready for business. You know that every member of the crew has anumber. Sam Hardy is 1; Joe Cushing, 2; Robbins, 3; Sawyer, 4, and soon. Here, under the same numbers that the men answer to, is set downexactly what must be done, with a few remarks to follow. Now, since allthat must be repeated at drill, it would be a good idea if you stowedit away in your head."
Benny began to read eagerly, understanding that if he had been familiarwith all this information when the _Three Brothers_ went ashore hepossibly might have been of more assistance, and until the cook calledhim to assist in the work of preparing dinner he read and re-read thefollowing lines:
"No. 1. Place gun in position; provide and load with shot; train thegun; bend the shot-line around the whip inside block; tend the leftpart of the whip; hold the hawser for No. 2 to bend on the whip;overhaul back of the whip, and, if to leeward, unbend ends and bendouter end into traveller-block; if to windward, snap traveller-blockonto hawser, and bend outer end of whip into traveller-block; man falland left leg of crotch.
"No. 2. Place shot-line box in position; bend shot-line into shot;train the gun; take a half-hitch with shot-line over tail ofwhip-block; tend right part of whip; bend the lee part of whip ontohawser; overhaul back whip, and, if to leeward, unbend ends and bendinner end into traveller-block; if to windward, snap traveller-blockonto hawser and bend inner end of whip into travelling-block; man falland right leg of crotch.
"No. 3. Place shot-line box in position; stretch tackle (outer block);haul left part of whip from reel; if to windward, reeve end of whipthrough sand-anchor block; otherwise, bend ends of whip together; manweather part of whip when sending off the hawser; haul in slack ofhawser; put on strap for outer block of tackle; man fall, left leg ofcrotch, and am shifting man on the whip.
"No. 4. Unload buoy from cart; place crotch, hawser, and buoy inposition; stretch tackle (inner block); haul rig
ht part of whip fromreel; if to windward, reeve end of whip through sand-anchor block;otherwise, bend ends of whip together; man weather part of whip whensending off the hawser; haul in slack of hawser; hook on outer block oftackle; man fall, right leg of crotch, and am shifting man on the whip.
"No. 5. Unload and bury sand-anchor; man the weather part of whip whenoverhauling off the reel and sending off the hawser; haul in the slackof the hawser and make a cat's-paw in the end; man fall; belay fall,and am shifting man on the whip.
"No. 6. Unload and bury sand-anchor; man the weather part of the whipwhen overhauling off the reel; lighten the hawser to captain; snatchbight of hawser into sand-anchor block; haul in slack of hawser; hookinner block of tackle into cat's-paw; man fall, centre of crotch, andam shifting man on the whip.
"No. 7. Unload shovel and pick; assist to bury sand-anchor; man theweather part of whip when overhauling off the reel and sending off thehawser; haul in slack of hawser; man fall, centre of crotch, and amshifting man on the whip.
"The exercise must be considered as a whole, and when a man hasperformed one duty he will proceed to execute the next assigned him.All must work together. While the captain, 1, and 2 are openingcommunication with the gun and shot-line, 3, 4, 5, and 6 will have thehawser and its connections ready for sending off and hauling taut.
"When practising, as soon as the gun is discharged, 6 will go to thepole representing the wreck and haul off and make fast the whip andhawser; unless some other person willing to perform that duty ispresent, 4 throws the buoy off the cart that it may not interfere withremoving the gun from the cart.
"If through carelessness the shot-line has been faked too tightly uponthe pins, instead of forcing it off the pins by the bottom board, whichis liable to split, raise the frame and remove a few of the bottomfakes with the hand, when the remainder will fall off into its place inthe box.
"The sand-anchor must be opened, its sides at right angles to eachother, and buried upon its flat in a narrow trench of sufficient depth,say two feet, and the trench filled in solidly about the anchor.
"In many instances, after communication is made with the wreck, as manyas two or three hundred yards of shot-line will be left in the box.The captain must be governed by circumstances as to the best method ofhandling the surplus line. If there is no danger of the wreck goingto pieces, spare line may be hauled on board the wreck, the shore endbeing bent around the whip; but where great haste is necessary it mustbe cut.
"Bending the bight of the shot-line around the whip is not recommended,as the portion inshore is liable to foul the whip.
"Cases may occur when, instead of unreeling the whole whip from thereel, both parts of the whip must be cut as soon as the whip-blockis fast on board the wreck. Keepers must act with promptness in suchcases, remembering that everything must be sacrificed to save life.
"The point where the hawser is bent into the ship must be as far aspossible outside of where the ends of the whip are bent together, inorder that when the hawser reaches the wreck the whip bend will be wellinshore, out of the reach of the shipwrecked people, for should they,through excitement or ignorance, cast that off instead of the hawser,communication would be broken and much delay result.
"The whip should be worked moderately slack, unless extreme cold ordrifting ice makes it necessary that it should be kept out of the water.
"Instances may occur when the wreck is breaking up rapidly, and thereis not sufficient time to send off the whip and hawser, or the creware too much exhausted to haul the gear off. In such cases, aftercommunication is made by means of the shot-line, cut the shot-line, andbend the shore end onto a single part of the whip; when the end of thewhip has reached the wreck, bend the bight of the whip into the slingsof the buoy (block removed), and let the buoy be pulled off through thesurf to the wreck."
Benny was an apt pupil, and before nightfall could repeat word for wordmore than one-half of the Station Bill. It was his purpose to commit itall to memory, but he was interrupted in the task late in the afternoonby the return of Joe Cushing from the post-office, and it was such anoisy home-coming that every member of the crew knew what he brought.
All save the lookout were in the building engaged upon various triflingduties, when a series of yells from the outside brought the men totheir feet, and Sam Hardy cried:
"That's Joe Cushing! He's brought the mail, and you can count for acertainty that in it is the answer from headquarters in regard toBenny."
Even Keeper Downey found it difficult to remain calm, for that Sam hadguessed correctly could be told by the Indian yells to which Joe wasgiving vent, and it is little wonder that the crew, instead of waitingfor his entrance, went to the door to meet him, realizing as they didthat in a few moments would be known the views of the Superintendentregarding the taking on of this new member.
Joe was coming at full speed, holding high above his head theofficial-looking envelope, and, as if believing his comrades had notbeen warned regarding the importance of what he brought, he shouted:
"Here's the answer from the Department! It has been about as much as Icould do to keep myself from opening it."
Tom Downey stretched out his hand, and there was just a shadow ofanxiety to be seen on his face as he took the missive.
The crew gathered around him; but Benny, trembling with apprehension,stood a short distance away holding Fluff in his arms.
"If it should be that we've got to go away now when things are fixed sonice, we'd be awful sorry, Fluffy; but we'll try not to let the crewknow we're feeling bad," he whispered to the dog while keeping his eyesfixed upon Sam Hardy.
Tom Downey was too impatient to permit of his reading carefully thecommunication from the Chief of the Service. He first glanced quicklyover the letter, catching a word here and there, until understandingthe proposition, when he cried joyously:
"It's all right, boys! Benny's entitled to stay here so long as we payhis bills!"
"I knew the Superintendent wasn't the kind of a man that would turna cold shoulder on a lad like him," Sam Hardy said approvingly; andpatting Benny on the head, he added, "Now, lad, you're regularly one ofus, seein' how you're here by authority, an' I'll venture to say thatbefore spring comes you'll have the drill at your tongue and fingers'ends with the best of us."
Benny, burying his face in Fluff's silken hair, whispered to the dog:
"We're awful lucky, Fluff, and we'll make sure the crew won't feelsorry because of helping us."
"Ain't crying when good news has come, are you, lad?" Sam asked,raising the boy's chin until he could look into his face.
"Indeed, I'm not, Mr. Hardy. I just wanted to remind Fluff so he'dnever forget it, that we was bound to work mighty hard to pay all handsof you for being so good."
"I reckon that part of it will be all right, my son. We're gettin' fullvalue for all we give."
That which added to Benny's pleasure was the fact that from the keeperto the cook, every member of the crew exhibited the liveliest joybecause he was allowed to remain at the station, and an evening neverto be forgotten by the lad was this which followed the receipt of theletter from headquarters.
Half a dozen times over was Tom Downey called upon to read thecommunication from their Chief, and if it be true that a person's rightear tingles when good is spoken of them, the Superintendent of theLife-Saving Service must have been surprised because of the warmth ofthat organ.
Even amid the general rejoicing Benny found opportunity to study the_Regulations_ and observing him at this work Sam Hardy proposed thatKeeper Downey write an additional paragraph to the Station Bill.
"Benny must have a regular duty, and we'll call him No. 8. Set downexactly what part he is to play, an' let him learn it with the rest."
That night when Benny, with Fluff in his arms, stood on the thresholdto bid his kindly guardians a "good-night," all hands replied inconcert:
"Good-night, No. 8."
"That means Fluff as well as me," Benny cried with a laugh, and as helaid down to sleep tha
t night "No. 8" was an exceedingly happy boy.
On the following morning Benny had a serious proposition to make SamHardy, and after his portion of the morning's work had been done hecalled the surfman aside.
"I want to ask a favor of you, Mr. Hardy."
"Well, lad, what is it?"
"All hands call me No. 8, so that proves I'm regularly one of the crew,don't it?"
"Of course it does, Benny."
"Then I should have some regular work."
"So you have, my lad. You're doin' as much now as the cook, an' some ofthe boys are beginnin' to think you can take his place next season."
"My work in the kitchen don't count. It's only enough to take up thespare time. What I mean is, I ought to have a share in all that thecrew does."
"What are you drivin' at, Benny? Suppose you talk it right out plain,an' then I'll understand the quicker."
"It's this, Mr. Hardy: I want to go on patrol duty with you everynight, no matter what time you start out."
"Now look here, Benny, there are some nights when that's precious hardwork, and almost any time in the winter it's no joke to turn out, sayabout midnight, an' walk this blooming shore four hours."
"I know that, sir; but yet it will toughen me to do it, and after aspell I won't mind it any more'n you do."
"But what's your idea in doin' such work?"
"I want to grow into so much of a surfman that I can see at night thesame as you do. When the _Three Brothers_ was sighted I couldn't makeher out at all."
"It's trainin' your eyes you're after, eh?"
"Yes, sir, perhaps that's what you could call it."
"Well, I'll talk with Downey, and see what he thinks of the scheme,although I'm willing to say right up an' down now that I don't justlike it. The job is too rough for a little chap like you."
"I must get hardened to bad weather, and the cold, and all that sort ofthing if I'm goin' to stay in the life-saving service."
Sam turned away with a laugh, and not until evening did he make anyreply to the request.
Then, when the hour was near at hand for him to go on patrol, he said,speaking to all hands, including Fluff's master:
"Benny claims the right to do patrol duty, if he's No. 8 in this'ere crew, an' the keeper has given permission for him to act as myapprentice, exceptin' when the weather is too rough. Therefore, Mr.Benjamin H. Foster, you'll make ready for a four hours' turn, andthe thermometer is standin' well down to zero. If this night's workdon't give you a different idea of what it's fitting a lad should do;then I'll say there'll be no use in our tryin' to keep you out of theService."
If Benny suffered from the cold during this four hours' tramp, SamHardy was none the wiser regarding it, for he held the pace regardlessof rough ways or banks of snow, plodding sturdily by the surfman'sside throughout the entire time. But it was observed by Sam Hardy thaton their return to the station he went immediately to bed, and nextmorning, in relating the experiences of the previous night to thekeeper privately, Sam added:
"He's all grit, that lad is, an' when he's older grown I allow he'll bean ornament to this 'ere station."
The cook declared, after dinner had been eaten and the apartments setto rights, that it was necessary for Keeper Downey to issue a positiveorder preventing No. 8 from doing more than his share of the work,and Benny, his face crimsoning with pleasure, would have turned theconversation into some other channel.
"I mean what I say," the cook added emphatically. "There's to be aregular Kitchen Station Bill made out for you, else before many daysI'll find myself idle. So let it be understood, No. 8, that you're onlyto do so much of the work as belongs to your part, and in the futureyou and Fluff C. Foster will have longer loafin' spells. If you studythe _Regulations_ after dark, I reckon it will be enough."
Tom Downey had begun questioning the cook as to what share of the workBenny really did, when the noise of bells was heard outside, and amoment later came a knock at the door followed almost immediately bythe entrance of Mr. Bradford--he whom, as the crew claimed, Fluff hadrescued from drowning.
He greeted the men cheerily; had a kindly word for Benny; but tookFluff in his arms petting him affectionately.
"I wasn't satisfied with leaving matters as they were day beforeyesterday, so far as this little fellow was concerned," he said,addressing himself to Keeper Downey. "But for the dog I should havebeen drowned, and as Benny refused me the satisfaction of repayingFluff, I claim the right to bestow upon him what the government wouldaward either of you for a timely rescue of life."
While speaking he had drawn from his pocket a daintily fashioned silvercollar to which was attached a small gold token.
"It is a medal of honor made from a coin, and inscribed: 'To Fluff C.Foster for having saved the life of Francis P. Bradford, January 2,1894.' That much I am entitled to give, regardless of what the dog'smaster may think, and I only hope it may be in my power at some futuretime to bestow upon Benny a more substantial token of regard."
Mr. Bradford handed the collar and medal to the boy as he ceasedspeaking, and the latter gazed alternately at the gift and the dog, whowas sitting bolt upright on his hind legs as if begging to be told thecause of this sudden commotion.
"Well?" Sam Hardy said interrogatively as Benny remained silent. "Well,No. 8, ain't there anything more to it? The dog is coaxin' you to thankthe gentleman."
"I know he is, Mr. Hardy; but how can I do it?" Benny replied with along-drawn sigh of delight. "It's splendid, though it ain't none toogood for a dog like Fluff, an' I'd rather he'd have this than all themoney in the world. Just to think!" and the lad turned to address theentire crew. "Fluff has got a regular life-saving medal."
"It's a big thing," Keeper Downey replied with a nod of satisfaction,"an', what's more, Fluff is the only one of this crew that has won sucha distinction."
"If anything was needed, after the letter from the Superintendent, toshow that he an' I were members of the crew, this would be enough,wouldn't it?"
"It's as good as a commission from the Treasury Department," JoeCushing replied gravely.
"If you would like to make the change, I can buy you something, insteadof spending so much money for the dog," Mr. Bradford said, with ameaning glance at the men. "It will be an easy matter to exchange thecollar and medal for cheaper metal, and give you the difference."
"Take this away from Fluff?" Benny cried in alarm. "Why, I wouldn'thave it done for the world! Now I'm a regular member of this crewI don't need anything, an' even if I did, he should have the best,because he's the one who saved your life, an' I'll get a heap ofpleasure out of looking at it."
"I have also sent out here ten pounds of sugar in lumps, so that youmay remind him of me at least once every day," Mr. Bradford said,apparently getting as much pleasure out of the presentation as didBenny, "and because of thus rewarding Fluff, I want you to do me afavor."
"What is it, sir?" Benny asked in surprise.
"I want the privilege of giving you a full suit of clothes. Here is anorder on a tailor, who will make whatever you may decide upon."
While speaking the gentleman had pressed into Benny's hand a slip ofpaper, and before the lad could reply Sam Hardy cried in delight:
"Of course No. 8 will do you the favor of takin' it, an', what's more,it's a mighty lucky thing for him. Here he has just been made a memberof the crew, but hasn't got a uniform to wear when he goes into thecity. That order, Mr. Bradford, is just the ticket, and with Fluff C.Foster rigged out in a solid silver collar with a gold medal of honor,and Benjamin H. Foster in a regulation suit, brass buttons an' all,this 'ere station will blossom out in regular shape."
Benny was won by the idea of wearing a uniform like his comrades; buthe looked toward Mr. Downey as if asking his permission to accept thegift.
"Take it, my lad, and thank the gentleman by so doing," the keeper saidwith a smile. "What's more, you shall go into the city with Sam Hardyto-morrow morning and be measured for the uniform."
There was a wondrously b
right gleam in Benny's eyes as, taking the dogsuddenly in his arms, he said to the generous visitor:
"We thank you awfully much, Mr. Bradford, an' you may be sure Fluffwill never do anything to make you ashamed of having given him such abeautiful collar and medal."