“So you lads are from the fleet?” the judge asked, as the boys were formally arraigned3 at the bar of justice, which, in this case, was a plain kitchen table with a big jug4 of ice-water on it.
“Yes, sir, from the Manhattan,” responded Ned respectfully.
“Hum! These people charge you with assault and battery. What have you to say about it?”
[217]
“I guess Blue Lightning could tell you all about it, sir, if he could talk,” put in Herc, despite Ned’s nudgings to keep silent.
“And who may he be?”
“It isn’t a him, sir. It’s a goat,” explained Herc.
“A goat!”
“Ahem! He doesn’t appear to be much of a mascot if he got you into this trouble. Since the United States annexed6 these islands it has been the aim of the Government to keep friendly relations between the natives and the Americans.”
“Yes, sir,” said Herc meekly7, “but if you will let me explain, I think I can show that it was an accident. I was trying to save these people from being butted8 into the middle of next week, when——”
“That will do, Herc,” exclaimed Ned. “Will you let me explain, sir?”
“Certainly, my lad, go on.”
[218]
Ned gave a concise10 account of all that had happened. Then came the turn of the natives, who spoke11 through an interpreter. Their testimony12 agreed with Ned’s. The magistrate13 explained to the boys at the conclusion of their depositions14 that the natives said they would be satisfied with a settlement.
“How much do they want?” asked Ned.
A great pow-wow ensued, and finally the spokesman of the natives said that two dollars would be ample. It was paid smilingly by the boys, who were then told that they were free to go.
“And I would advise you to stop your mascot’s shore leave in the future,” smilingly said the gentleman who officiated as magistrate.
“We will, sir,” declared both boys.
They had some pleasant conversation with the magistrate about the fleet and its great world cruise, after which it was time to take their train. They spent the night in Hilo and rejoined the ship the next day.
[219]
“Well, lads, did you have an interesting time ashore15?” asked the captain, as he passed them soon after their return.
Of course this called for explanations and Herc told the whole story with much graphic17 illustration.
“I see there is no killing18 you two lads,” laughed the captain as he walked on, “but in the future be more careful. What ended as a joke might have had a more serious side.”
Once more the fleet was at sea. Everything was ship-shape and “man-o’-war fashion,” the days spent at Hilo having been devoted19 to putting the big battle fleet in tip-top condition after the buffeting20 it had gone through in the big storm. Officers and men were all a-tip-toe with anticipation21 at the prospect22 of the next stop, which was Yokahama. The Dreadnought Boys particularly[220] were anxious for a sight of the Flowery Kingdom.
Ned’s duties having called him, one calm, peaceful evening, to the after part of the ship, he was passing the wireless23 room on his return forward when he caught the sound of a message being sent out from the flag-ship to the rest of the fleet. The boy had been keen to learn everything connected with his profession, and the study of wireless had been included in the curriculum he had set himself.
He spent spare moments when he could in the wireless room and under the operator’s tutelage had become quite a fair hand at the key. He paused and listened to the dots and dashes as the flame leaped and crackled between its terminals, sending out into space a message to the long line of ships behind the Manhattan.
Ned listened till the message was complete and then, with sparkling eyes, he resumed his journey.
[221]
“I guess there’s going to be a surprised bunch of blue-jackets on board before morning,” he said to himself, as he hurried along through steel-walled corridors and metal-enclosed casements24. “I’m glad I caught that message. Forewarned is forearmed.”
Herc noted25 his comrade’s suppressed excitement at supper that night and tried to find out the cause for it, but he was unsuccessful. Ned, however, could not forbear giving him a hint a little later.
“Sleepy, Herc?” he asked.
“No, but as soon as I get into my downy hammock, it doesn’t take me long to slip off into dreamland.”
“Well, don’t sleep too soundly to-night.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t tell you. But I’ve got information that something out of the ordinary may happen.”
“Pshaw! Why can’t you tell me what it is?”
Herc was all on fire with curiosity.
[222]
“I’m not at liberty to. I came by my information in a sort of confidential26 way.”
“Humph! I suppose the old man asked you into his cabin and gave you all his plans for the next twenty-four hours.”
The night wore on. Lights gleamed out; watches were set as usual. The bugle27 sounded taps and the Jackies were all wrapped in their usual sound slumbers28. Ned alone lay awake waiting for the signal that he was sure would not be long in coming. On the bridge the captain paced back and forth29 and almost all the officers were out, none of them having retired30.
It was past eight bells, midnight, when a sudden voice sounded loud and sharp above the monotonous31 vibration32 of the big propellers33. “Bos’un’s-mate!”
“Aye! aye, sir!” came the voice of Shorty Shea, who had the watch.
“Turn out the crew! Sound stations. Shake a leg now!”
[223]
“Aye! aye, sir!”
Presently his voice boomed through the forecastle.
“A-l-l hands on deck! D’ye hear that now? A-l-l hands to s-t-ations!”
Buglers, hastily aroused, began sounding the “assembly!” Instantly the sleeping ship galvanized into what appeared to be a pandemonium36. High on the masts the red and green “Ardois” lamps were winking37 and flashing the signal to the ships. The wireless was fretting38 and whining39. “The idlers,” cooks, messmen, stewards40 and boys took their places below in the magazines. The Jackies tumbled out of hammocks and slipped into uniforms as if by magic. Officers hastily took their stations. Questions and conjectures41 as to the reason for the sudden call flew thick and fast.
Some thought that there had been a collision; others that the ship had gone aground; yet others[224] hazarded a guess that fire had broken out. All knew that some urgent business was on hand and lost no time in getting on deck.
Ned was at his gun almost before the last notes of the bugle calls had died out. Herc was not much behind him. The Dreadnought Boy hastily inspected the shining butt9 of the big twelve-inch gun that was in his charge. He patted it smilingly.
“You’ll have to do your best to-night, old girl!” he said.
The captain passed among the men as they took their stations.
“They’ll do,” he remarked to the executive officer with him; “smart work. A likely lot of lads. They all have themselves well in hand even though they have no idea what is going to happen.”
“Man magazines and ammunition42 hoists43. Stand ready. Pass loads to the batteries!” came the sharp orders from the bridge in rapid succession.
[225]
High up in the superstructure, the range finders and “spotters” with telephone receivers clamped to their heads were ready. Down in the bowels45 of the ship the men who would transmit their reports of range and kindred matters to the batteries, sat at what looked like giant switchboards, covered with winking lights of different colors.
In Ned’s turret46, the ammunition hoist44 came up with a bang and clang. Bags of powder and a great projectile47 were unshipped by the gun crew with what appeared to be magical speed. Every man had his work and knew just what to do.
“Load and stand by,” ordered the ensign in Ned’s turret. “We’re going to have some night target practice, my lads. See to it that you do your best,” he went on.
This was the information that Ned had heard flashed out over the wireless. The crew of the big twelve-inch gave a cheer. Stripped to the waist, they awaited the next order.
[226]
“Clear decks for action!”
The Jackies outside began stripping the ship of everything movable. Boats were lowered and cast off astern, railings, stanchions, everything movable came down and was marked “Overboard.” Some wag even affixed48 a label marked in this way to the horns of Blue Lightning, who was careering around the decks in great excitement.
“Strong, you take the gun.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
“Have your wits about you. We must hold the record we possess, if it is possible.”
A bell buzzed and a light flashed twice in the turret. It was the signal to load. The ensign barked out a sharp command. In a moment the load and the projectile were sent “home.” The breech was closed with a snap, the electrical connections made, and Ned, with his hand on the big wheel that controlled the monster gun as if it had been a toy rifle, awaited the next order.
[227]
Peering out through the turret opening he could see the rays of the Manhattan’s searchlight sweeping49 like radiant fingers over the sea. They were searching for the target which had been sent out from one of the other ships. The different ships were to steam by it at a set speed blazing away as they passed.
At last it flashed into view,—a tiny square of white in the far distance. Ned brought the cross-wires on the telescope sights to bear on it. His heart beat tumultuously.
Suddenly a shrill whistle sounded. The officer snatched up the speaking tube. From the switchboards below came the required information.
“Ten thousand yards. Steady, men.”
Ned’s fingers hovered51 over the firing device. The other men balanced themselves on their toes prepared for the shock when the actual moment for firing the big gun came. Cotton was stuffed[228] in their ears. The five great searchlights that concentrated on the target showed it as clearly to Ned as a chalked square on a blackboard. But it looked terribly small.
“Now, Strong,” said the ensign. “Fire!”
Ned’s fingers twitched53 the firing device. It seemed as if an earthquake had been let loose. Through the night rushed the huge projectile, its course blazed across the night sky by the red glow of a trailer, a flaming attachment54 that enables the “spotters” to follow its course as accurately55 as if it were day.
The gun was still trembling from the force of the recoil56 when the swish of air-compressors, driving dangerous stray sparks out of it, was heard. This was done so that there should be absolutely no danger of a speck57 of fire remaining when the next charge was rammed58 home.
The next projectile, well oiled, was jerked into the big gun and rammed home with clock-work-like[229] precision. Then came the powder bags and the snap of the breech block as it was slammed to.
The speaking tube whistled once more.
“Hit!” cried the ensign, announcing that he had just got the news that Ned had hit the target. Then the red light flashed again, and once more the ship shook to the thunders of the giant forces released when Ned lightly pressed the trigger.
Again and again was the process gone through. The shots came with the rapidity of an automatic shot-gun. It seemed incredible almost that human beings could work with such precision and accuracy. Hardly a word was spoken. Only short commands and brisk replies were heard.
From the spotters’ roost, where with night glasses they followed the flaming trailers, came the monotonous report to bridge, switchboard and turret, “Hit—hit—hit—hit—hit!”
And then finally, as the command came to cease firing the twelve-inch, was this report:
“Ten shots, ten hits. Time, thirty seconds!”
[230]
Then, as the other guns took up the deafening59 fusillade, all discipline vanished in Ned’s turret. The ensign shook his hand while the gun-crew danced around shouting:
“What’s the matter with Ned Strong? He’s all right!”
But the racket of other guns drowned their voices. Up in the tops the spiteful crash of the little three-inch guns could be heard cracking viciously. The eight-inch rifles rumbled60 and roared. It was like being on a train going through a vast tunnel at sixty miles an hour. That is about as nearly as the uproar61 of the vast forces of power released at gun practice can be described.
Two hours after the signal to “commence firing” had been given, the night practice was over and all hands were set to work to clean ship. But even before this, it was known on board the Manhattan that the coveted62 “Meat-ball,” the token of supremacy63 at the guns, was still the[231] flag-ship’s trophy64; and that Ned Strong had contributed no small share to the retention65 of the red flag with the black center that means so much to the Jackie whose ship is entitled to fly it.
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1
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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3
arraigned
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| v.告发( arraign的过去式和过去分词 )；控告；传讯；指责 | |
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4
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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5
mascot
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| n.福神，吉祥的东西 | |
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6
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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7
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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8
butted
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| 对接的 | |
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9
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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10
concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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12
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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13
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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14
depositions
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| 沉积（物）( deposition的名词复数 )； （在法庭上的）宣誓作证； 处置； 罢免 | |
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15
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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16
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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17
graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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18
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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19
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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20
buffeting
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| 振动 | |
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21
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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22
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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23
wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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24
casements
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| n.窗扉( casement的名词复数 ) | |
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25
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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26
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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27
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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28
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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29
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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30
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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31
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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32
vibration
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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33
propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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34
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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35
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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36
pandemonium
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| n.喧嚣，大混乱 | |
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37
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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38
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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39
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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40
stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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41
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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42
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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43
hoists
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的第三人称单数 ) | |
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44
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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45
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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46
turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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47
projectile
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| n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的 | |
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48
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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49
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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50
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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51
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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52
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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53
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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54
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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55
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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56
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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57
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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58
rammed
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| v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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59
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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60
rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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61
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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62
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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63
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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64
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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65
retention
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| n.保留，保持，保持力，记忆力 | |
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