Concealing6 his anxiety to hear how his chum fared, Derek took a recently-vacated chair at Kaye's side. The latter nodded appreciatively as he passed Daventry a bowl containing a concoction7 which must never be referred to as margarine, but always as "nut butter".
"Lorry's going into Rockport," announced Kaye. "It leaves here at six. Coming?"
"What's the scheme?" asked Derek. "Nothing much to do in Rockport, is there?"
"It will be a change," replied his chum. "And we can walk back."
"Eight miles," objected Daventry, shrugging his shoulders. "Bit steep, eh? Very well then, I'm on it."
The meal finished, the cadets adjourned8 for ten minutes' "stand easy" before the afternoon parade, a purely9 perfunctory ceremonial which takes place at 1.30.
"Well, how went it with you?" asked Kaye, as the two made their way to the fives court.
"Not so dusty," replied Derek modestly. "And you?"
Kaye grinned.
"Smashed a couple of landing-wheels," he replied. "It was hard luck, but no one seemed to mind very much. It was topping up there, though. I'm all out for another joy-ride to-morrow. Rough luck on Dixon."
"What was that?" asked Daventry.
"Didn't you hear? You know him, don't you?"
"The little merchant with a mole10 on the point of his chin? I was yarning11 with him last night."
"That's the fellow," agreed Kaye. "'Fraid he's crashed for good. Didn't clear the pine-trees, and ripped off the left-hand plane. Came down like a stone, of course, and they've taken him to hospital with a compound fracture of the thigh12. Old Biggs is rather cut up about it, because Dixon had a good reputation as a centre-forward. Just the fellow we wanted for the First Eleven."
Biggs—Old Biggs as he was generally called—was the captain of the first footer-team, hence that worthy's regret at losing what promised to be a pillar of strength to the sports club. Biggs was an ex-ranker, who, as a flight-sergeant in the old R.F.C., had performed wondrous13 and daring feats14 over the Boche lines. It was reported that he climbed out to the tip of one of the planes of a machine when, owing to extensive damage by gun-fire, it was in danger of losing its stability. And this at 9000 feet, with three Taubes devoting their attention to the disabled British 'bus. And yet, before being granted a commission, Old Briggs had to pass through the cadet training-school like any ordinary quirk1.
The afternoon passed only too quickly, the lecture being both instructive and entertaining, and when tea was over the cadets were at liberty to spend the rest of the evening in whatever manner they wished.
It was one of the standing15 orders at Averleigh that three times a week a large motor-lorry was detailed16 to take cadets into Rockport, a privilege eagerly seized upon by the quirks.
Punctually at six the huge, khaki-painted vehicle emerged from the garage, and the cadets, after passing inspection17, boarded the lorry in a seething18 mob, swarming19 over the fastened-up tail-board with the utmost agility20, until the lorry was packed with forty odd youngsters.
Away rattled21 the heavily-laden wagon22, followed by a couple of motor-bikes with side-cars, each of which bore three cadets in the side-car and one on the carrier, while a straggling mob of quirks on push-bikes brought up the rear.
Directly the precincts of the aerodrome were left behind, the driver of the lorry was bombarded with frantic23 appeals to "whack24 her up". This request was complied with, with alacrity25, and, the road being narrow, progress resolved itself into a series of vain attempts on the part of the motor-cycles to pass their lumbering26, swaying, big comrade.
It was a distance of eleven miles to Rockport by road, and three miles less by a footpath27 along the cliffs that eventually cut across some marshes28 on the south side of Averleigh aerodrome.
Rockport, a small seaport29 of about nine thousand inhabitants, offered very little attraction to ordinary visitors, but it was one of the chief places of interest to the cadets of the T.D.S. They certainly livened the old town up, and their presence was more appreciated than otherwise by the bulk of the residents.
Upon arriving at Rockport the lorry quickly disgorged its load of khaki-clad, white-banded cadets, most of whom had some definite object in view. Derek and Kaye, however, being strangers to the place, were somewhat at a loose end.
"Where are you fellows going?" exclaimed a voice. Turning, the chums found Biggs overtaking them.
"Nowhere much," replied Derek. "We're going to walk back."
"That's good," ejaculated the captain of the team. "I'll come with you, if I may. Nothing like padding the hoof30 to keep a fellow fit. You play footer, of course."
"Not since I left school," replied Daventry.
"Where was that?" asked Biggs. "What's that? Full-back an' got your colours? Why, you're just the man I want! You'll jolly well have to train, and look mighty31 smart about it, young fellow."
"I'll think it over," said Derek guardedly.
"What's the objection?" asked the skipper pointedly32.
"Since you ask me, it's like this," replied Daventry. "If a fellow's a good player he's often kept back solely33 on that account. I know a man in the army who's been knocking about in England ever since 1914, simply because he's a professional full-back. Footer's all very well, but I'm not here for that."
"Don't worry on that score, old bird," replied Biggs. "I'm keen on getting back to France myself, and I'll take jolly good care that I do as soon as I possibly can. So you can play with a good grace while you're here."
"In that case, count on me," decided34 Derek.
Still discussing footer, the three cadets made their way along the promenade35 until they reached the commencement of the cliff path. It was now about an hour before sunset. The air was calm, and, for the time of year, remarkably36 mild. Hardly a ripple37 disturbed the surface of the sea, although against the base of the cliffs the surf roared sullenly38. Out of the little harbour the fishing-fleet was putting to sea, their dark-brown sails hanging limply from the yards. Almost sky-down were three or four tramp steamers leisurely39 plugging their way towards London river. Outwardly there were no indications that the nation was at war. Ships came and went, in spite of the vaunted submarine blockade. Many went and returned no more, but still the mercantile marine40 "carried on", hardly perturbed41 by losses through mines and German pirates.
"Do you know the road?" asked Biggs. "I don't."
"We looked up a map this afternoon," replied Kaye. "It seems simple enough. We strike inland at about a couple of miles from the outskirts42 of the town. Not much of a path, is it?"
"Shouldn't like to tackle it after dark," rejoined Derek. "I guess those coast-patrol fellows have a rotten time, especially in winter."
"A regular causeway," remarked Biggs, regarding the cliffs on either hand, for the path itself ran along the top of a "hog's back" formation. On the seaward side the cliffs were bold and precipitous. On the landward side they were lower, and showed signs of crumbling43. Obviously, years ago, the existing marshes formed part of a large harbour, from which the sea had long since retired44.
"By Jove! I don't like the look of this," exclaimed Biggs, coming to an abrupt45 halt. He indicated a chasm46 that completely cut through the ridge47. Evidently it was of fairly-recent origin, for the rock showed bare and clean. Across the rift48 was a plank49, about nine inches in width, forming the only means of communication with the opposite side.
"Hanged if I like the look of this stunt50," observed Biggs, regarding the ten-feet gap with obvious misgivings51.
"Plank's safe enough," rejoined Derek, and, putting his statement to the test, he crossed the narrow bridge without mishap52. Kaye followed, and the two chums turned and waited for their companion to rejoin them.
"Come on, old son," exclaimed Kaye. "Don't keep us waiting all the evening."
"Sorry," admitted Biggs frankly53, "I can't face it. I'll be sure to topple overboard—honest fact."
"Rot!" ejaculated Daventry incredulously.
"'Course it is," agreed the cadet. "Never could stick heights. Looking out of a window of a two-storied house makes me giddy."
Derek could see that Biggs was not trying to hoax54 him. The airman whose deeds in the air had already gained him no mean reputation, who could soar at a terrific height amidst a heavy fire from German antis, was unable to trust himself to cross that ten-feet gap.
"Jump it, then," suggested Kaye, and, setting the example, he leapt easily across the chasm. Even then Biggs, the airman-athlete, hung back.
"Can't make up my mind to try," he declared. "I feel an awful rotter, but I can't help it."
"Look here," suggested Derek. "I can see a path leading down the face of the cliff. Are you game to take it on? If so, we can climb up on both sides. It doesn't look very difficult."
Biggs still hesitated. Daventry, leaping across the gap, made his way to the place where the head of the natural steps began. There were signs that the path had been frequently used, possibly as a means of access to the sandy beach and caves at the foot of the cliffs.
Standing close to the edge of the cliffs (that headland attained55 a height of fifty or sixty feet), Derek surveyed the expanse of water beneath him. As he did so, he saw something that caused his heart to throb56 violently.
Drifting aimlessly with the tide, and at about a hundred yards from shore, was a waterlogged boat, with a crew of motionless and apparently57 inanimate seamen58.
Attracted by Daventry's shout of horrified59 surprise, Kaye and Biggs came running up. They, too, stood stock still, filled with horror at the pitiable sight.
The boat was about eighteen feet in length, and of the whaler type usually carried on board tramp steamers. Only three or four inches of the stern and stern-posts showed above water, the gunwales amidships being flush with the surface, save when the waterlogged craft rolled sluggishly60 with the motion of the ground-swell. The topstrake was jagged and splintered, showing signs of having been riddled61 by gun-fire.
Lying inertly62 across the submerged thwart63 were four men, their heads rolling grotesquely64 from side to side with every motion of the boat. On the stern-sheets, and partly supported by their cork65 lifebelts, were two others, who appeared to be leaning against each other for mutual66 support. Whether they were alive or dead it was impossible for the three onlookers67 to determine.
"Come on!" shouted Biggs. "We'll have to get those fellows ashore68 or it will be too late."
Quite unmindful of his former lack of nerve, Biggs began to descend69 the cliff path—a performance highly hazardous70 compared with the crossing of the chasm. Quick to second him, Derek and Kaye followed his example, descending71 the slippery steps at a tremendous pace.
"You fellows hang on here," exclaimed Biggs. "If I want help I'll shout. You can do better on shore, I think. I'm going to swim off to her."
Feverishly72 the cadet threw off his tunic73, unlaced his breeches and unrolled his puttees in record time, and kicked off his boots. In less than a minute he was ready for the plunge74, during which interval75 the waterlogged craft had drifted a dozen yards farther along the beach.
The water felt horribly cold as Biggs waded76 in; it caused him to gasp77 violently. Then, settling down to a powerful breast-stroke, the cadet struck out in the direction of the derelict.
At length he came within arm's length of the boat. Grasping the gunwale, he sought to clamber in, but the craft, having very slight buoyancy, dipped as his weight bore on the side. Obviously there was no chance of rowing the boat to the shore, even if there were oars78 on board.
"I'll have to tow her," decided the swimmer. "It's a tough proposition; and isn't the water beastly nippy?"
Groping for the painter, Biggs started to swim shorewards. The waterlogged boat responded ungraciously—in fact, so slowly that the swimmer was beginning to doubt his powers of endurance.
"Stick it!" shouted Kaye encouragingly. "You're moving her. Shall we come out and give a hand?"
Biggs shook his head. He could not trust himself to shout a reply. He wanted every ounce of breath to carry him through the ordeal79.
Yet he was obviously tiring. The numbing80 cold and the prolonged immersion81 were beginning to tell.
"By Jove! he'll never do it," exclaimed Derek, who had already removed his boots and tunic. "We'll have to go in after him."
Hurriedly the two chums threw off their clothes, and plunged82 in to the assistance of their comrade. They were only just in time, for although Biggs had succeeded in towing the boat to within twenty-five yards of the shore, he was on the point of being vanquished83 by the cold water.
Comparatively fresh, Derek assisted Biggs to the shore, then, returning, swam to the stern of the whaler, while Kaye struck out with the painter. Under the combined action the boat was moved slightly faster, and presently, to the cadets' intense satisfaction, her fore-foot grounded on the soft sand.
"Can't get her any higher," declared Derek breathlessly.
"Let's lift these fellows out."
This they did, only to find that four of the crew were dead. The remaining two were insensible, but showed signs that life was not yet extinct, although both were far gone through exposure.
Partly dressed, Biggs ascended84 the cliff path, and hastened back to Rockport for assistance, while Derek and Kaye, having tumbled into their clothes, proceeded to do their best to restore the two unconscious men to life.
"Look!" exclaimed Kaye, as they cut away a saturated85 jersey86 from the elder of the two men. "Dirty work here, by Jove!"
For in the bluish flesh of the sailor's shoulder were three small punctures—unmistakable indication of machine-gun fire. The other man had likewise been hit, a bullet having completely passed through his neck, and two more just above the knee.
Deftly87 the two cadets set about their task of restoring animation88. Regardless of time, they worked in the rapidly-fading light, without any indication that their work was showing any signs of success.
In about an hour Biggs returned, accompanied by a doctor, a couple of policemen, a dozen sturdy fishermen, and a section of the Rockport ambulance workers. By the aid of ropes, the still unconscious men were hauled to the top of the cliffs and carried off on stretchers. With the help of plenty of strong and willing hands, the waterlogged whaler, with its ghastly contents, was dragged above high-water mark—a tell-tale record of the infamous89 activities of the modern Hun.
"There's nothing more for us to do," remarked Kaye, as the sad procession wended its way to the town.
"Isn't there?" rejoined Derek. "I think we'll sprint90 back to Rockport and catch the lorry."
"Sure," agreed the still benumbed Biggs. "That's the stunt."
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1
quirk
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| n.奇事，巧合；古怪的举动 | |
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quirks
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| n.奇事，巧合( quirk的名词复数 )；怪癖 | |
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paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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concoction
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| n.调配(物)；谎言 | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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yarning
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| vi.讲故事（yarn的现在分词形式） | |
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thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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whack
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| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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lumbering
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| n.采伐林木 | |
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footpath
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| n.小路，人行道 | |
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marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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50
stunt
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| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
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51
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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52
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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53
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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hoax
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| v.欺骗，哄骗，愚弄；n.愚弄人，恶作剧 | |
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55
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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56
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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57
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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58
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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59
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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sluggishly
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| adv.懒惰地；缓慢地 | |
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61
riddled
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| adj.布满的；充斥的；泛滥的v.解谜，出谜题(riddle的过去分词形式) | |
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inertly
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| adv.不活泼地，无生气地 | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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grotesquely
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| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
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65
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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67
onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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68
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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69
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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70
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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71
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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72
feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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73
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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74
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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76
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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78
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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79
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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80
numbing
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| adj.使麻木的，使失去感觉的v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的现在分词 ) | |
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81
immersion
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| n.沉浸；专心 | |
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82
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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83
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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84
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
saturated
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| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
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86
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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87
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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90
sprint
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| n.短距离赛跑；vi. 奋力而跑，冲刺；vt.全速跑过 | |
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