The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-03-11
CHApTER yI.-coNrrNurp.

From the depths under our feet we
could hear Mcpherson and the captain
IN earnest conversation, broken now
and then by a dull tapping, as of a
hammer on hollow or fractured steel.
Occasionally Gre OF the Spanish as
sistants would shout some order 10 the
oilers, at work upon the high-pressure
cross-head. Presently we heard Hal
stead say: Turn her over once or
twice, Mac. while l keep my hand on
the shaft" and In n moment one OF the
great oily pistons stretched itself up
10 within a foot OF Garcia's pretty
nose, as she leaned over the steel rail.
startling n subdued squeal Of surprise
from the girl, who had no idea the
thing moved. Up and down, greasily.
insinuatingly, they slid, while we
could hear a little sharper tapping
from the shaft-alley; then, with a
slippery sough of content, they rested
agnin. Another period OF consulta-
tion below. while the steamer rolled In
the trough of the sea; after which we
heard the captain say; well, keep
her at about 90 turns for half an hour
and see how she feels. Then report
to me-" In another moment we saw
him coming up.
H. smiled reassurlngly as he
reached the grating where we stood,
but looked thoughtful. AS soon as he
stepped out OF deck the passengers
crowded about with anxious qucs-
tions; and he told them, briefly. that
there had been an accident to the
shaft, how serious a one ii was impos-
sible 10 say at present, but that the
ship was In nc immediate danger, and
that they had better 60 below for
lunch. Then he called to the mate, on
the bridge: Pipe your men down. Mr..
Diaz, and come 10 my room MS soon as
you are relieved" was very anxious
q question him, but, by an almost inn
perceptible motion, he signaled me to
20 below with the senorita.
When we reached the saloon every
one was talking excitedly about the
,ccident and Specializing as 10 wheth-
er the teame- would be obliged TO lay
up for repairs at zap. The pulsation
of the screw was %noticeably showers;
and the second mate, after hastily fin
ishing his meal, hurried on deck to re-
lieve Diaz, so that he might %consult
with the captain. The engineers chair
was empty; he did not put In an ap-
pearance until dinner-time. About
the time we reached the dessert, the
screw stopped again. The stewards
continued TO wait upon us as IL moth
ing had happened, and this alone kept
several from rushing on deck again.
When we did finally leave the table,
Mcpherson came down from the cap
tain's quarters and assured Padre Sc
bastiano that the danger was not seri-
Gus. But as bell after bell struck
without the engines being started, a
vague uneasiness spread through the
chip. and every one talked In subdued
tones. Three of the passenger went
below to make up small bundles of
their valuables in ease Il should be
necessary to take 20 the boats.
Late In the afternoon. Halstend
came down from his room, followed
by the mate. and told those on deck
that, owing TO the accident, he had de
cided TO head for the island OF Guaian
In the LadroneS. where he hoped TO OBJ
tain spare machinery which would en-
able the steamer TO make the remain
der of the voyage In safety. Then he
asked the senorita, Padre Sebastiann
and me IL we would like 20 go down
into the engine-room and see the dam
aged shaft. | fancy the padre would
have preferred remaining on deck.
but. as IL was against his principles to
miss anything, we went, holding
punches OF cotton waste as n protec-
ton against grease On the hand-rails
and machinery. The captain natural
ly went first, and the Senorita fol-
lowed, blushing like n peony at the
revelations for which the steepness OF
the iron ladder was responsible.
Down. down. grating after grating.
until we were ~ feet below the water.
line and the cylinders lowered above
us like grotescue monsters, then
through a tiny door into the long tun-
mel. or s~haft-aIley, lighted at inter