the red cross girl-第19章

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carefully　overhauled。　In　actual　time；　two　days　and　two　nights　had
passed；　to　David　it　seemed　many　ages。

On　the　third　day　he　crawled　to　the　stern；　where　there　seemed　less
motion；　and　finding　a　boat's　cushion　threw　it　in　the　lee　scupper
and　fell　upon　it。　From　time　to　time　the　youth　in　the　golf　cap　had
brought　him　food　and　drink；　and　he　now　appeared　from　the　cook's
galley　bearing　a　bowl　of　smoking　soup。

David　considered　it　a　doubtful　attention。

But　he　said；　〃You're　very　kind。　How　did　a　fellow　like　you　come　to
mix　up　with　these　pirates？〃

The　youth　laughed　good…naturedly。

〃They're　not　pirates；　they're　patriots；〃　he　said；　〃and　I'm　not
mixed　up　with　them。　My　name　is　Henry　Carr　and　I'm　a　guest　of
Jimmy　Doyle；　the　captain。〃

〃The　barkeeper　with　the　derby　hat？〃　said　David。

〃He's　not　a　barkeeper；　he's　a　teetotaler；〃　Carr　corrected；　〃and
he's　the　greatest　filibuster　alive。　He　knows　these　waters　as　you
know　Broadway；　and　he's　the　salt　of　the　earth。　I　did　him　a　favor
once；　sort　of　mouse…helping…the…lion　idea。　Just　through　dumb　luck
I　found　out　about　this　expedition。　The　government　agents　in　New
York　found　out　I'd　found　out　and　sent　for　me　to　tell。　But　I
didn't；　and　I　didn't　write　the　story　either。　Doyle　heard　about
that。　So；　he　asked　me　to　come　as　his　guest；　and　he's　promised
that　after　he's　landed　the　expedition　and　the　arms　I　can　write　as
much　about　it　as　I　darn　please。〃

〃Then　you're　a　reporter？〃　said　David。

〃I'm　what　we　call　a　cub　reporter；〃　laughed　Carr。　〃You　see；　I've
always　dreamed　of　being　a　war　correspondent。　The　men　in　the
office　say　I　dream　too　much。　They're　always　guying　me　about　it。
But；　haven't　you　noticed；　it's　the　ones　who　dream　who　find　their
dreams　come　true。　Now　this　isn't　real　war；　but　it's　a　near　war；
and　when　the　real　thing　breaks　loose；　I　can　tell　the　managing
editor　I　served　as　a　war　correspondent　in　the　Cuban…Spanish
campaign。　And　he　may　give　me　a　real　job！〃

〃And　you　LIKE　this？〃　groaned　David。

〃I　wouldn't；　if　I　were　as　sick　as　you　are；〃　said　Carr；　〃but　I've
a　stomach　like　a　Harlem　goat。〃　He　stooped　and　lowered　his　voice。
〃Now；　here　are　two　fake　filibusters；〃　he　whispered。　〃The　men　you
read　about　in　the　newspapers。　If　a　man's　a　REAL　filibuster；
nobody　knows　it！〃

Coming　toward　them　was　the　tall　man　who　had　knocked　David　out；
and　the　little　one　who　had　wanted　to　tie　him　to　a　tree。

〃All　they　ask；〃　whispered　Carr；　〃is　money　and　advertisement。　If
they　knew　I　was　a　reporter；　they'd　eat　out　of　my　hand。　The　tall
man　calls　himself　Lighthouse　Harry。　He　once　kept　a　light…house　on
the　Florida　coast；　and　that's　as　near　to　the　sea　as　he　ever　got。
The　other　one　is　a　dare…devil　calling　himself　Colonel　Beamish。　He
says　he's　an　English　officer；　and　a　soldier　of　fortune；　and　that
he's　been　in　eighteen　battles。　Jimmy　says　he's　never　been　near
enough　to　a　battle　to　see　the　red…cross　flags　on　the　base
hospital。　But　they've　fooled　these　Cubans。　The　Junta　thinks
they're　great　fighters；　and　it's　sent　them　down　here　to　work　the
machine　guns。　But　I'm　afraid　the　only　fighting　they　will　do　will
be　in　the　sporting　columns；　and　not　in　the　ring。〃

A　half　dozen　sea…sick　Cubans　were　carrying　a　heavy；　oblong　box。
They　dropped　it　not　two　yards　from　where　David　lay；　and　with　a
screwdriver　Lighthouse　Harry　proceeded　to　open　the　lid。

Carr　explained　to　David　that　The　Three　Friends　was　approaching
that　part　of　the　coast　of　Cuba　on　which　she　had　arranged　to　land
her　expedition；　and　that　in　case　she　was　surprised　by　one　of　the
Spanish　patrol　boats　she　was　preparing　to　defend　herself。

〃They've　got　an　automatic　gun　in　that　crate；〃　said　Carr；　〃and
they're　going　to　assemble　it。　You'd　better　move；　they'll　be
tramping　all　over　you。

David　shook　his　head　feebly。

〃I　can't　move！〃　he　protested。　〃I　wouldn't　move　if　it　would　free
Cuba。〃

For　several　hours　with　very　languid　interest　David　watched
Lighthouse　Harry　and　Colonel　Beamish　screw　a　heavy　tripod　to　the
deck　and　balance　above　it　a　quick…firing　one…pounder。　They　worked
very　slowly；　and　to　David；　watching　them　from　the　lee　scupper；
they　appeared　extremely　unintelligent。

〃I　don't　believe　either　of　those　thugs　put　an　automatic　gun
together　in　his　life；〃　he　whispered　to　Carr。　〃I　never　did；
either；　but　I've　put　hundreds　of　automatic　punches　together；　and
I　bet　that　gun　won't　work。〃

〃What's　wrong　with　it？〃　said　Carr。

Before　David　could　summon　sufficient　energy　to　answer；　the
attention　of　all　on　board　was　diverted；　and　by　a　single　word。

Whether　the　word　is　whispered　apologetically　by　the　smoking…room
steward　to　those　deep　in　bridge；　or　shrieked　from　the　tops　of　a
sinking　ship　it　never　quite　fails　of　its　effect。　A　sweating
stoker　from　the　engine…room　saw　it　first。

〃Land！〃　he　hailed。

The　sea…sick　Cubans　raised　themselves　and　swung　their　hats；　their
voices　rose　in　a　fierce　chorus。

〃Cuba　libre！〃　they　yelled。

The　sun　piercing　the　morning　mists　had　uncovered　a　coast…line
broken　with　bays　and　inlets。　Above　it　towered　green　hills；　the
peak　of　each　topped　by　a　squat　blockhouse；　in　the　valleys　and
water　courses　like　columns　of　marble　rose　the　royal　palms。

〃You　MUST　look！〃　Carr　entreated　David。　〃it's　just　as　it　is　in　the
pictures！

〃Then　I　don't　have　to　look；〃　groaned　David。

The　Three　Friends　was　making　for　a　point　of　land　that　curved　like
a　sickle。　On　the　inside　of　the　sickle　was　Nipe　Bay。　On　the
opposite　shore　of　that　broad　harbor　at　the　place　of　rendezvous　a
little　band　of　Cubans　waited　to　receive　the　filibusters。　The　goal
was　in　sight。　The　dreadful　voyage　was　done。　Joy　and　excitement
thrilled　the　ship's　company。　Cuban　patriots　appeared　in　uniforms
with　Cuban　flags　pinned　in　the　brims　of　their　straw　sombreros。
From　the　hold　came　boxes　of　small…arm　ammunition　of　Mausers；
rifles；　machetes；　and　saddles。　To　protect　the　landing　a　box　of
shells　was　placed　in　readiness　beside　the　one…pounder。

〃In　two　hours；　if　we　have　smooth　water；〃　shouted　Lighthouse
Harry；　〃we　ought　to　get　all　of　this　on　shore。　And　then；　all　I
ask；〃　he　cried　mightily；　〃is　for　some　one　to　kindly　show　me　a
Spaniard！〃

His　heart's　desire　was　instantly　granted。　He　was　shown　not　only
one　Spaniard；　but　several　Spaniards。　They　were　on　the　deck　of　one
of　the　fastest　gun…boats　of　the　Spanish　navy。　Not　a　mile　from　The
Three　Friends　she　sprang　from　the　cover　of　a　narrow　inlet。　She
did　not　signal　questions　or　extend　courtesies。　For　her　the　name
of　the　ocean…going　tug　was　sufficient　introduction。　Throwing
ahead　of　her　a　solid　shell；　she　raced　in　pursuit；　and　as　The
Three　Friends　leaped　to　full　speed　there　came　from　the　gun…boat
the　sharp　dry　crackle　of　Mausers。

With　an　explosion　of　terrifying　oaths　Lighthouse　Harry　thrust　a
shell　into　the　breech　of　the　quick…firing　gun。　Without　waiting　to
aim　it；　he　tugged　at　the　trigger。　Nothing　happened！　He　threw　open
the　breech　and　gazed　impotently　at　the　base　of　the　shell。　It　was
untouched。　The　ship　was　ringing　with　cries　of　anger；　of　hate；
with　rat…like　squeaks　of　fear。

Above　the　heads　of　the　filibusters　a　shell　screamed　and　within　a
hundred　feet　splashed　into　a　wave。

From　his　mat　in　the　lee　scupper　David　groaned　miserably。　He　was
far　removed　from　any　of　the　greater　emotions。

〃It's　no　use！〃　he　protested。　〃They　can't　do！　It's　not　connected！〃

〃WHAT'S　not　connected？〃　yelled　Carr。　He　fell　upon　David。　He
half…lifted；　half…dragged　him　to　his　feet。

〃If　you　know　what's　wrong　with　that　gun；　you　fix　it！　Fix　it；〃　he
shouted；　〃or　I'll〃

David　was　not　concerned　with　the　vengeance　Carr　threatened。　For；
on　the　instant　a　miracle　had　taken　place。　With　the　swift
insidiousness　of　morphine；　peace　ran　through　his　veins；　soothed
his　racked　body；　his　jangled　nerves。　The　Three　Friends　had　made
the　harbor；　and　was　gliding　through　water　flat　as　a　pond。　But
David　did　not　know　why　the　change　had　come。　He　knew　only　that　his
soul　and　body　were　at　rest；　that　the　sun　was　shining；　that　he　had
passed　through　the　valley　of　the　shadow；　and　once　more　was　a
sane；　sound　young　man。

With　a　savage　thrust　of　the　shoulder　he　sent　Lighthouse　Harry
sprawling　from　the　gun。　With　swift；　practised　fingers　he　fell
upon　its　mechanism。　He　wrenched　it　apart。　He　lifted　it；　reset；
readjusted　it。

Ignorant　themselves；　those　about　him　saw　that　he　understood；　saw
that　his　work　was　good。

They　raised　a　joyous；　defiant　cheer。　But　a　shower　of　bullets
drove　them　to　cover；　bullets　that　ripped　the　deck；　splintered　the
superstructure；　smashed　the　glass　in　the　air　ports；　like　angry
wasps　sang　in　a　continuous　whining　chorus。　Intent　only　on　the
gun；　David　worked　feverishly。　He　swung　to　the　breech；　locked　it；
and　dragged　it　open；　pulled　on　the　trigger　and　found　it　gave
before　his　forefinger。

He　shouted　with　delight。

〃I've　got　it　working；〃　he　yelled。

He　turned　to　his　audience；　but　his　audience　had　fled。　From
beneath　one　of　the　life…boats　protruded　the　riding…boots　of
Colonel　Beamish；　the　tall　form　of　Lighthouse　Harry　was　doubled
behind　a　water　butt。　A　shell　splashed　to　port；　a　shell　splashed
to　starboard。　For　an　instant　David　stood　staring　wide…eyed　at　the
greyhound　of　a　boat　that　ate　up　the　distance　between　them；　at　the
jets　of　smoke　and　stabs　of　flame　that　sprang　from　her　bow；　at　the
figures　crouched　behind　her　gunwale；　firing　in　volleys。

To　David　it　came　suddenly；　convincingly；　that　in　a　dream　he　had
lived　it　all　before；　and　something　like　raw　poison　stirred　in
David；　something　leaped　to　his　throat　and　choked　him；　something
rose　in　his　brain　and　made　him　see　scarlet。　He　felt　rather　than
saw　young　Carr　kneeling　at　the　box　of　ammunition；　and　holding　a
shell　toward　him。　He　heard　the　click　as　the　breech　shut；　felt　the
rubber　tire　of　the　brace　give　against　the　weight　of　his　shoulder；
down　a　long　shining　tube　saw　the　pursuing　gun…boat；　saw　her　again
and　many　times　disappear　behind　a　flash　of　flame。　A　bullet　gashed
his　forehead；　a　bullet　passed　deftly　through　his　forearm；　but　he
did　not　heed　them。　Confused　with　the　thrashing　of　the　engines；
with　the　roar　of　the　gun　he　heard　a　strange　voice　shrieking
unceasingly：

〃Cuba　libre！〃　it　yelled。　〃To　hell　with　Spain！〃　and　he　found　that
the　voice　was　his　own。

The　story　lost　nothing　in　the　way　Carr　wrote　it。

〃And　the　best　of　it　is；〃　he　exclaimed　joyfully；　〃it's　true！〃

For　a　Spanish　gun…boat　HAD　been　crippled　and　forced　to　run
herself　aground　by　a　tug…boat　manned　by　Cuban　patriots；　and　by　a
single　gun　served　by　one　man；　and　that　man　an　American。　It　was
the　first　sea…fight　of　the　war。　Over　night　a　Cuban　navy　had　been
born；　and　into　the　limelight　a　cub　reporter　had　projected　a　new
〃hero；〃　a　ready…made；　warranted…not…to…run；　popular　idol。

They　were　seated　in　the　pilot…house；　〃Jimmy〃　Doyle；　Carr；　and
David；　the　patriots　and　their　arms　had　been　safely　dumped　upon
the　coast　of　Cuba；　and　The　Three　Friends　was　gliding　swiftly　and；
having　caught　the　Florida　straits　napping；　smoothly　toward　Key
West。　Carr　had　just　finished　reading　aloud　his　account　of　the
engagement。

You　will　tell　the　story　just　as　I　have　written　it；〃　commanded　the
proud　author。　〃Your　being　South　as　a　travelling　salesman　was　only
a　blind。　You　came　to　volunteer　for　this　expedition。　Before　you
could　explain　your　wish　you　were　mistaken　for　a　secret…service
man