Kitabı oku: «The Light Keepers: A Story of the United States Light-house Service», sayfa 17
CHAPTER XVII
THE INSPECTOR
Sidney told the story of his rescue to Mr. Sawyer, while the two were up-stairs selecting such articles from Captain Eph's wardrobe as the mate needed, and dwelt at length on the care and affection which the light-house crew had bestowed upon him.
When they descended to the kitchen again a substantial meal was set before the rescued sailor, and after it had been eaten, he explained how he chanced to be adrift in the dory with neither food nor water.
He, with one of the men from the fisherman, had been sent out to set trawls, and while they were thus engaged a white squall struck them. To make any effort at battling against it was out of the question, and they allowed their boat to drift before it, doing no more than to keep her head on to the seas, believing the fishing schooner would be able to pick them up.
Their story was not unlike the many which we read of from time to time, among the disasters to the fishing fleet. During the remainder of that day, and all the night, they scudded before the wind, and when morning came, with nothing to be seen on the angry waste of waters, they exhausted themselves in the effort to row the dory back whence they came, believing the schooner had been hove to.
When another night approached they were no longer able even to guide the boat. Both suffered bitterly with thirst and hunger, and as the wind continued to blow with great fury, it looked as if they were doomed to a lingering death, with but the faintest hope of a rescue. Mr. Sawyer's companion gave up the unequal struggle in despair, refusing to raise a hand in his own behalf.
"From that moment," Mr. Sawyer said as he concluded the sad story, "he remained aft in the bottom of the boat, and I was unable to arouse him. How long we drifted after that, I cannot rightly say; but when I saw you making preparations to aid us, I tried to pull him to his feet, that he might be in shape to help himself in some slight degree. I believe he was already dead, and, knowing that I could not get ashore through the surf burdened with his lifeless body, I gave no further heed to him. Even as it was, I came near drowning Mr. Peters, for the two of us were rolled over and over half a dozen times before you pulled us to our feet, and then I was so dazed that but for his grip on my collar I must have fallen back into the surf."
"If Sammy once got hold of you it was a case of your comin' out," Uncle Zenas said with a laugh. "He's so stubborn that nothin' short of bein' really choked to death would have made him give up."
Then the conversation turned upon the possibilities of Mr. Sawyer's being able to gain the mainland, and before it had come to an end Mr. Peters and Sidney were forced to go into the lantern to light the lamp.
Captain Eph was determined to return to his own room, and once more he was half-dragged, half-carried up-stairs; but this time the task was accomplished with less pain to him because of the assistance Mr. Sawyer was able to give.
Next morning the wind showed signs of abating, and the old keeper predicted that within eight and forty hours it would be possible to make a landing on the ledge.
"Then we shall see the tender again, if it so be the inspector wants to get some word to us, an' you can go back in her," Captain Eph said as if there was no question in his mind as to what would happen; and Mr. Sawyer asked concerning Sidney's plans for the future.
The lad himself explained that he proposed to remain on the ledge, unless his father should send instructions to the contrary, and Mr. Sawyer said in a matter-of-fact tone:
"I'll tell the captain how comfortably you are situated here, and even if he has made arrangements for you to go else-where, there's little doubt but that he'll change them."
"Do you expect to see father very soon?" Sidney asked in surprise.
"Ay, lad, if I can get ashore, and am lucky enough to find a vessel ready to sail for Porto Rico, I'm hopin' to get there before he leaves. I'd offer to take you with me; but in case my plan shouldn't work exactly as I've figgered, you would be in a bad fix."
"Sonny had better stay where he is," Captain Eph said emphatically, and Uncle Zenas added:
"We couldn't let him go while two of us are crippled, for we wouldn't be able to run the light without him."
Before night came the wind and sea had so far subsided that there was no longer any question about its being possible for the tender to send a boat ashore in case she came out to the reef within the next twenty-four hours, and Mr. Peters and Sidney worked like beavers to put the interior of the tower in the best possible shape for the reception of visitors.
When another day dawned the weather was all the veriest fresh-water sailor could have asked for, save that the sea still ran in long, heavy swells which might have caused any but seasoned sailors considerable discomfort, and from the time breakfast had been eaten all hands kept watch for the approach of the steamer.
It was Captain Eph who first saw her in the distance, and he said, after making known the fact that she was heading for the ledge:
"The inspector must have got it into his head that things have been goin' wrong in this 'ere tower, else he'd never come so soon again jest to bring a message from Sidney's father."
There is no need of saying that all hands were considerably excited by the time the little steamer slowed down on the western side of the ledge that a boat might be lowered, and Mr. Peters said, as he and Sidney went to the cove that they might meet whosoever was coming ashore:
"There's no sense of our gettin' into a stew before hand, Sonny. If so be we've done wrong without knowin' it, we'll hear about it soon enough, an' if it's a message from your father, there ain't any call to feel bad. Wa'al, I declare, if that ain't the inspector himself gettin' into the boat!" the first assistant added as he saw the officer. "This ain't the time for his reg'lar visit, an' I reckon we're goin' to be overhauled in great shape, though what it can be about beats me!"
Five minutes later the small boat was entering the cove, and a kindly-faced gentleman in the stern-sheets cried out:
"Well, Mr. Peters, I hear that the crew of this light have been distinguishing themselves. So that is the new assistant you have taken on?" and he nodded toward Sidney. "How are Captain Downs and Mr. Stubbs getting on?"
"Uncle Zenas is so he can 'tend to the cookin' all right, sir; but he can't amble 'round very lively. Cap'n Eph is likely to be lame quite a spell yet."
"Who is the stranger in the doorway?" and the inspector looked curiously toward the tower.
"He's a sailor we picked up day before yesterday, sir; drifted here in a dory."
"Been doing more work as life-savers, have you?" the inspector asked in such a kindly tone that Sidney decided he had not come out to find fault.
By this time the officer had stepped ashore and was going toward the tower; but, observing that Mr. Peters remained behind, he called:
"I want to see you and Captain Downs together, Mr. Peters, and we may as well attend to the Department's business first. Come in, please."
"Now there is trouble brewin'," Mr. Peters whispered to Sidney, "an' it must be mighty serious, for this is the first time the inspector ever wanted me around when he was overhaulin' Cap'n Eph's accounts."
"He looks too friendly to be very fierce," Sidney replied, and the first assistant muttered:
"You can't allers tell by the look of a cat how far she'll jump. I'd rather have a man come at me hammer an' tongs, than be so terrible pleasant when he's gettin' ready to read the riot act."
When Mr. Peters and Sidney entered the kitchen the inspector was questioning Uncle Zenas as to how he had been injured, and the second assistant soon told the whole story, very briefly.
"I suppose Captain Downs is in his room," the inspector finally said. "We'll go there, and if it is possible for you to get up-stairs far enough to hear what is said, Mr. Stubbs, I shall be glad to have you do so."
"He's goin' to give all hands a wiggin'," Mr. Peters whispered, and Sidney felt strongly inclined to laugh outright, so comical was the expression of fear on the first assistant's face.
The crew of Cary's Ledge light was not long kept in suspense as to the reason for the inspector's visit. After assuring himself, by personal examination, that the keeper's injured limb had been attended to in a proper manner, he said abruptly as he took rather a bulky package from his pocket:
"Captain Nutter of the Nautilus reported to the Department, through me, that you two men, at great peril to yourselves, saved the lives of three of his crew and himself, all of whom would have unquestionably been drowned but for your heroic exertions. The Light-House Board has instructed me to say that they are proud to have such men in the service, and I have here a letter of commendation. The Treasury Department has sent these two gold medals on which are inscribed your names and the service rendered, in token that the Government holds you in especial esteem as brave men – such men as are needed in the light-house service."
As the inspector spoke, the two keepers and Sidney gazed at him in open-mouthed astonishment, while from the head of the stairs could be heard the heavy breathing of Uncle Zenas, and when the cases containing the medals were being opened by the officer, the second assistant could remain silent no longer.
"You ain't makin' the littlest bit of a mistake, Mr. Inspector, when you call them two brave men! I know what they did, an' I'll take my affidavy that you won't find another couple of their age who'd put out in a dory sich a mornin' as that when the barkentine laid on the shoal!"
"I am willing to say, judging from the statement made by Captain Nutter, that it was an exceptional show of bravery, Mr. Stubbs, and am thoroughly well pleased to be able to put the medals in their hands. Why don't you look at them?" he added as Captain Eph and Mr. Peters held the leather cases gingerly without offering to touch the heavy golden tokens.
"To tell the truth, sir, you've knocked the gimp all out of me!" the old keeper said as he brushed his eyes, and then threw his arms around Sidney as if on the verge of bursting into tears, while Mr. Peters choked and coughed, but spoke never a word.
Then the inspector, as if to break the silence which was becoming almost painful, said as he laid his hand on Sidney's head:
"It was because of you that we tried to land here the other day; your father had requested that you be taken from the ledge, and a boarding-place be found for you on the mainland. Since having received your letter, however, he telegraphed, yesterday, that you be allowed to remain in the light until his return, and because of the assistance which I learn you have rendered the keepers, I see no reason why the Board will not grant his request."
"Then he's to stay, is he?" Captain Eph cried, displaying a keener interest in the matter than he had in the medals, and the inspector repeated what he had already said.
"I'd rather have the little shaver with me for a year to come, than all the gold an' letters the Board can send!" he cried, again holding Sidney very close to him, and the inspector quietly went down-stairs, leaving the two men and the boy alone.
Uncle Zenas was not disposed to keep secret Mr. Peters' latest exhibition of bravery, and, calling upon Mr. Sawyer for confirmation, he told the story to the inspector in detail, concluding by saying:
"There are times when it's terribly tryin' to have Sammy pokin' 'round the kitchen; but if any trouble comes up, you can count on him every minute of the day or night, no matter how many chances he may be takin' of losin' his own life. He an' Sonny together have run the light, done the cookin', an' doctored Cap'n Eph and me up in great shape since we were laid by the heels."
"I will report to the Board that which you have told us," the inspector said gravely, and then announced that he intended to leave the ledge at once. "I wanted to give the medals into the hands of the keepers, rather than intrust the matter to others, and there is nothing now to keep me."
"Don't you want to see Cap'n Eph agin?" Uncle Zenas cried, surprised that the inspector should even think of going away without informing the keeper of his purpose.
"It will be well to leave them alone for a time, and whatever business I may have in regard to the boy can be transacted when I next come out on a tour of inspection. Now, Mr. Sawyer, if you are ready, we will go aboard."
Thus it was that when, ten minutes later, Mr. Peters and Sidney came into the kitchen, there was no one save Uncle Zenas to be seen, and the light-house tender was hardly more than a faint smudge in the distance.
"The inspector has gone, an' took Sawyer with him!" Mr. Peters cried to the keeper when he learned of what had occurred.
"Gone?" Captain Eph cried incredulously. "Why, that can't be, for I haven't had a chance to make a report about the way Uncle Zenas an' I have neglected our duty."
"He left jest the same as if he knew all about it," the second assistant cried, and then, turning to Mr. Peters, he demanded, "What have you done with your medal, Sammy?"
"We've put 'em both away in Cap'n Eph's box. You don't s'pose we'd keep the like of them knockin' 'round loose, do you?"
"Of course I s'pose it!" Uncle Zenas cried angrily. "I'm allowin' that you'll wear 'em all the time, so's folks will see what you've done. I'd like to know what medals are for, if not to wear."
"Wa'al, the ones that are up-stairs will stay jest where they are, 'cept when you get ready to look at 'em. Do you allow, Uncle Zenas, that I'd look pretty cleanin' fish, or knockin' 'round over the ledge with a big lump of gold hangin' to my coat?"
The second assistant was by no means satisfied with this statement. He declared that if the medals were not to be worn daily, they should at least be kept where visitors would be certain to see them, and threatened that, unless some arrangement of that kind were made, he would resign his position of second assistant without delay, "rather than stay 'round with a couple of idjuts who didn't know enough to spread themselves when they had the chance."
Uncle Zenas carried his point finally, otherwise his comrades might have had difficulty in obtaining food, save by using force, and before he would consent to take the first step toward cooking dinner, the medals were hung conspicuously in the watch-room.
Sidney was woefully disappointed because he had not been able to send some message by Mr. Sawyer to his father; but Captain Eph consoled him by predicting that the mate would not succeed in getting to Porto Rico before the West Wind had taken her departure.
"He's got to find a vessel bound for that port, an' then coax the cap'n into givin' him a passage, all of which takes time. It don't stand to reason, Sonny, that he'll get there, an' your messages can be sent in a reg'lar letter, for of course your father wrote you an' me 'bout the same time he telegraphed to the inspector. It seems to me everything has come 'round jest as we'd like to have it, an' you're to stay here with us!"
"But how am I to get the letter, if father wrote one?" the lad asked anxiously, and Uncle Zenas replied:
"Don't you fear but that it'll be sent out here to you. The inspector is bound to come again before long, for he jest the same as said so, an' all we've got to do is enjoy ourselves – that is, when Cap'n Eph can toddle 'round once more, an' I'm able to move about without most killin' myself."
This conversation had been carried on with Uncle Zenas sitting on the stairs where he could look into the keeper's room, for he had refused to go back to the kitchen, or allow any one else to do so, until the medals had been hung in the watch-room according to his instructions.
Now, however, he made ready to set about the work of getting dinner, and astonished his comrades by declaring that when he had cooked the best meal possible from the stores on hand, it should be served in the keeper's room, regardless of the additional labor such an arrangement would entail.
"You'll have to lug everythin', even to the dishes, up here, an' carry 'em back again!" Captain Eph exclaimed, and Uncle Zenas replied:
"I wouldn't care if the whole outfit was to be taken inter the lantern, it should be done. I'd like to know, Ephraim Downs, if we're ever likely to have so much reason for a thanksgivin' dinner as we've got this day?"
"You're right, Uncle Zenas, you're right, an' seein's how the only way we can celebrate is by eatin', get to work, an' if dinner ain't ready till midnight, we'll turn to all the heartier for havin' waited so long."
"You'll have to bring up the table an' the dishes, Sammy," the second assistant said in a tone of authority, and Mr. Peters replied with a grin:
"I reckon that won't be any very hard job; but if you're countin' on my luggin' you too, the plan won't work, for nothin' short of a derrick would answer on sich a job as that."
"If I can't get 'round this 'ere tower without callin' on you for help, I'll stay in the kitchen, same's I've been doin'," Uncle Zenas replied sharply, and then he made his way down the stairs, a furious clattering of pots and pans telling a few moments later that he had commenced work on the "thanksgiving" dinner.
And here it is, while preparations for the celebration are in progress, that we must leave the crew of Carys' Ledge and their guest, for the very good reason that it would not be practicable to follow them day by day to the present time. The year which Sidney was to remain there does not come to an end until next October, and, therefore, it is impossible to say whether he will leave the crew when his father returns, or live so near them that daily visits may be possible.
More than once since that day when he delivered the medals has the inspector hinted that as a reward for their faithful services it was probable they would be transferred to a light-house on the mainland, and during his last visit he told Sidney as a very great secret that he believed the change would be made during this present summer.
When this has been done, the three light keepers will be stationed near Sidney's old home, and he believes that he will be allowed to live near, if not really with them, while attending school.
The motor boat was built as Mr. Peters had planned, and early in the spring after the wreck of the Nautilus, she was taken to Cary's Ledge. During this summer she has been used for pleasure excursions, trips to the mainland, or for fishing on nearly every pleasant day, and that she is a seaworthy craft may be inferred from the fact that Uncle Zenas has been out in her a dozen times or more.
It would indeed be a labor of love to set down more concerning the lives of these three light keepers and the lad whom they call "Sonny"; and at some future day, if the young people so desire, the full particulars of Sidney's stay on Carys' Ledge, after the visit of the inspector with the medals, shall be written.
