New-York tribune., 1901-06-23
THE TWO TRAMPS.
/

They were crossing the bay when the accident
occurred. and the young skipper dug his heels
very anSrily into the deck planks of the bridge
and listened To the adorned tale of the engineer
with a superabundance of patience. The surplus
expression of Mr. Jameson was at times partcu-
larry appalling, and covered more than half of
shaft OF the tramp Tudor had long since seen
and ended its better days. and having lately
gines had from sheer and utter weariness of an
overtaXed old age fallen into sections on the
flooring of the engine room.
When the expansive account was finished, Cap
tain Bennett put a question the engineer:
can you Xix her up, and how long would the
job take?'
grease black waste to his perspiring forehead to
awaken his intellect. leaving a beautiful coal
colored mark where he had rubbed and then
answered
Impossible to say how long the job would
take tn fix
Then we'll need to look out for tow?" asked
the captain. and raised his eyes inquirngy
around the horizon in search of any steamer that
II seemed probable they would have TO call upon
for assistance
That's what you'd better do" answered the
engineer surlily and he shaded his eyes and
gazed into the far off afternoon sunlight. seeing
the word sack" written large over his iob in
the Tudor. I've done the best can he added
after pause I've driven her a clean ten knots
right through from Jana-and-counfound it'll
Tor that lazy lump of a second"
Well. it's no earthly use crying over spilled
milk. said the philosophical tramp skipper
spilled machinery you mean" growled the
irate Jameson.
He seated himself the casing of steam
"lhch pipe TO consider the situation, and stared
gloomily into the depths of purple that in
swollen periods across the bay: while Bennett
paced the tramp's deck forward of the chart
room. fuming at the fate that had brought his
ship 10 a standstin, ard waiting for u definite
decision from the Eng lne
Look here sir" said that worthy m mechanic:
Il might get her Ia so under engine. 1t has
been known 10 he done. only once she started
she'd have 10 keep going. and you couldn't
90 asiern- stop her, ard we'd be long enough in
starti-g Ecr afresh-'
And II You cant manage the one engine busi-
ness" inquired BeEnrt.
Wed have 20 lit another shaft. We have 4
spare in the No :; hold
Go ahead. then, AIr. Jameson; that's the
tune. Try her IT that"
Then the engi@eer sirode away. ard Benaet
mounted 10 thu upper bridge; and while. below
the levers and mac hrery worked to the jerk Of
Kissing steam, and much personal enumeration
hoated up Ia the captains .aTs, he watched
anXously for any solitary pCff OF smoke sign
Of a steamer Ia front of the foTemast ad he
had hoisted TWO cork tenders as intimaton to
vessels that his ship not under control:
though. indeed. 10 vessels came their way For
heave OF the Tudor. when Jameson came on the
bridge and deliver q his verdict in a rusty voice
and 8ennet listened with the feelings of despair
that comes 10 man who sees his only means Of
livelihood flying from him
Its no use" sai@ the engineer We can't
get the cylinder to work Wen have To mend
the job. Ia like all hands If / have them.
The job may take three days. or it may be a
week"
Hang it," muttered Bennett sticking his
hands deep in his pockets A week? And the
oranges will he rotten before get home. Just
the luck Of first voyage skipper"