The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-07-27
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CLARENCE HERBERT NEW.
Copyright. 1907. by J. D. upplneor Col
CHAPTER VI.-CoyrIyUrp.
tcopyrish,. 1907. by }. D. Lipplncou Col

tOulu neHT Uuu tne cHDtu1n
In earnest conversation, broken now
and then by a dull tapping, as OF a
hammer on hollow or fractured steel. |
Occasionally ere OF the Spanish as
sistants would shout some order to the |
oilers, at work upon the high-pressure |
cross-head. Presently we heard Hal
stead say: "Turn her over once or
twice, Mac, while I keep my hand on
the shaft" and in moment one OF the
great oily pistons stretched itself up
TO within a foot OF Garcias 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,
nsinuetingly, they slid, while we
could hear a little sharper tapping
from the shaft-alley; then, with n
slippery sough OF content. they rested
again. Another period OF consulta-
tion below. while the steamer rolled in
the trough OF the sea; after which we
heard the captain say: swell, keep
her at about Gu turns for half an hour
and see how she feels. Then report
10 me-" In another ,ioment we saw
him coming up.
He smiled reassuringly ms he
reached the grating where we stood,
but looked thoughtful. As soon ns he
stepped out or deck the passengers
crowded about with anxious ques-
tions; and he told them. briefly, that
there had been an accident to the
shaft, how serious n one IL was impos-
sible to say at present, but that the
ship was In no immediate danger, and
that they had better go below for
lunch. Then he called to the mate, on
the bridge: "Pipe your men down, Mr..
Diaz. and come to my room as soon as
you are relieved" was very anxious
20 question him, but. by an almost i'm
perceptible motion. he slgnaled me to
go below with the senorita.
When we reached the saloon every
one was talking excitedly about the
accident and speculating as TO wheth-
rr the steamer would he obliged to lay
up for repairs at zap. The pulsation
OF the screw was noticeably slower;
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 APP
pearance until dinner-time. About
the time we reached the dessert, the
screw stopped again. The stewards
continued to wait upon us us II 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
ous. But as bell after bell struck
without the engines being started, q
vague uneasiness spread through the
chip, and every one talked In subduet
tones. Three of the passengers went
below to make up small bundles oI
heir valuables In case II should b,
necessary to take to the boats.
%Late In the afternoon, Halsteat
came down from his room. followed
by the mate, and told those on decl
that, owing to the accident, he had de
cided to head for the island Of GuajaI
In the Ladrones, where he hoped to oh
tain spare machinery which would en-
able the steamer to make the remain
der Of the voyage In safety. Then h
asked the senorita, Padre Sebastiant
and me II we would like to 60 dowl
into the engiEe-room and see the dam
aged shaft. fancy the padre woul'
have preferred remaining on deck
but. as 1t was against his principles I,
miss anything, we went. holding
punches Of cotton waste as n protec
tion against grease on the hand-rail
and machinery. The captain natural
ly went first, ard the senorita fol
lowed, blushibg like peony Mt tn
revelations for which the steepness q
the iron ladder was responsible
Down, down. grating after grating
until we were ~ feet below the water
line and the cylinders lowered abov
MS like grotesque monsters; the
through a tiny door into the long tur
mel. or shaft-alley. lighted Mt inter
vals by hanging incandescents and eS
tending clear to the inboard bearin
at the stern of the ship. Four of tn
assistants and oilers were leanin
against the wall.plates. like navvie
waiting for the ore car In coal mine
while down at one side, obstructin
the passage, was the wreck OF an iro
tank which had been lashed on bracl
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