The enclosure became a perfect bedlam15 a few moments after the supply train rolled in. To the roar of the river and the grumble16 of the huge generators18 inside were added the shouts of the soldiers detraining and unloading the supplies. The entire barracks had turned out to welcome the reinforcements, for it happened that they composed two companies of the same[81] regiment19. Altogether Jack estimated that there were more than 200 men ready to defend the place against the rebels, not including the squad20 of twenty-five rurales who were stationed there to patrol the surrounding country. The rurales, the lad learned, were not soldiers in the stricter sense of the word. They are maintained by the Mexican Government to do practically the same work as that required of the famous Canadian mounted police; which is to rid the country of bandits, smugglers and bad men, and run down the outlaws21 that hide in the mountains. They are far better drilled than any of the Mexican troops and are well equipped with clothing and firearms. Their horses are the best that Mexican dollars can buy. These men ride exceptionally well, shoot almost as accurately22 as the Texas ranger23 and are brave and fearless. A Mexican president who believed in the old saying that “it takes a thief to catch a thief,” organized the rurales years ago when the country was infested24 with bandits and bad men. Every time one of these men was apprehended25 he was forced to join the rurales and hunt down bandits. In this[82] way his vicious nature was well satisfied and at the same time he was able to consider himself a law-abiding citizen, which usually appeals to all individuals who have been outlaws for any length of time. To Jack these soldier-policemen were very picturesque26 as they swaggered about in their dark-green, tightly fitting uniforms and broad-brimmed hats. He noticed, however, that they did not associate with the white-clad regulars, but stood apart in a little group by themselves and watched the other men unload the cars.
Mr. Ryder and Jack lingered long enough to see that the unloading was well under way before they turned toward the station.
“I’ve a strange premonition that the troublemakers27 hereabout have taken advantage of my absence,” said the engineer as they approached the office. “I would not be surprised to find the plant dynamited28 some day. These rebel sympathizers will go the limit to make it disagreeable for old Huerta.”
The office of Ben Nedham, first assistant engineer, was vacant. When Mr. Ryder saw this he looked worried. Immediately he[83] bounded up the spiral iron staircase to the balcony-like control room where the switchboards were located. Allen Lyman, a tall light-haired American in charge of that section of the plant, advanced to meet him, and his face also bore a troubled look.
“They’ve been at it again, Mr. Ryder,” he exclaimed. “We haven’t been able to carry the load all evening. Machines five and six are out of commission. Couldn’t even start them. Nedham and a gang are down there on the generator17 floor now trying to patch them up.”
“Well, some one got in after two o’clock this morning, evidently, and threw a bucket full of fire sand into the gears of both machines. Nedham has had only one watchman here and he must have gone to sleep.”
“Have you heard from Mexico City yet?” demanded Mr. Ryder anxiously.
“No, not yet, but we can gamble that the lights are mighty30 dim there. Shouldn’t wonder[84] but what we’ll get a call before the night is over.”
He had hardly completed the sentence when the telephone bell on the desk in the center of the room jangled sharply.
“Dollars to doughnuts that’s Mexico City now,” exclaimed Lyman as he removed the receiver. A moment he talked with the man on the other end of the line; then he beckoned31 to Mr. Ryder.
“It’s President Huerta himself,” he said, holding his hand over the transmitter. “He’s as mad as a Mexican bull too. Wants to speak with you.”
For fifteen minutes the chief engineer attempted to explain the situation to the country’s executive, and in the meantime Jack busied himself trying to puzzle out the reason for all the switches, knobs, handles and indicators32 on the huge marble switchboard that extended all the way around the circular room. He knew that all the machinery33 in the station was controlled from that board, but just how it was done he had not the slightest idea. He decided, however, to take advantage of the first[85] opportunity and learn the function of each of the mysterious looking black rubber handles.
Mr. Ryder left the ’phone apparently34 thoroughly35 angry. He paced the narrow room for some time before he uttered a word. Finally, pausing before the desk again, he brought his fist down with a resounding36 blow.
“By Jupiter,” he thundered, “this must stop or I’ll know the reason why. The old man is as peeved37 as a wet hen and I don’t blame him. He informed me that we had made a failure out of the most important state function of the year simply because the palace was so poorly lighted. They had to resort to smoky oil lamps to help out. He was furious. Told me the city looked like an Indian village, it was so dark. Oh, if I could only get my fingers on the villains38 who did this work!”
Thus did he storm to Jack and the operator until he became thoroughly out of breath and was forced to pause. Then turning he called Jack and started down the spiral stairs again. Three flights they descended39 until they reached the floor of the generating room. Six huge generating units occupied the space. They[86] were great black monsters of steel that looked like so many mastodons chained to the floor. Water was roaring down from the forebay through four of the massive penstocks that supplied the turbines, but the other two were silent. Around each of these silent machines was gathered a group of workmen. They had unbolted the steel protecting plates and were assiduously wiping the sand from the delicate armature bearings. Some of these workmen were Americans but there were a number of Mexicans among them, many of whom were distinctly of the peon class, with bared feet and shabby garments.
As Jack and the engineer hurried across the floor a short, dark-haired American advanced to meet them.
“We’ve trouble on our hands this time!” he exclaimed. “The two machines are full of sand and we won’t be able to get them cleaned until long after midnight.”
“Well, how did it happen, Nedham?” demanded Mr. Ryder. “You were in charge while I was away and you are responsible. Are you going to let this plant go to the devil?[87] I got a good blowing up yesterday from the board of directors and here to-night President Huerta himself had me on the long distance telephone. Told me flatly that things would have to go smoother; and I propose to see that they do go smoother hereafter.”
“How do I know how it happened? Maybe I was in charge, but they manage to work the same tricks when you are here too, so you can’t altogether blame me,” said Nedham indignantly.
“Well, I suppose not,” replied Mr. Ryder in calmer tones. “I didn’t mean to accuse you of neglect of duty. I know they work the same tricks on me too. I hope you’ll pardon my temper.”
The chief engineer extended his hand in cordial apology and Nedham grasped it, his anger disappearing immediately.
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1
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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2
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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5
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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6
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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7
trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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8
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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9
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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10
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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12
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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bedlam
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| n.混乱，骚乱；疯人院 | |
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16
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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17
generator
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| n.发电机，发生器 | |
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generators
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| n.发电机，发生器( generator的名词复数 )；电力公司 | |
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19
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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24
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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troublemakers
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| n.惹是生非者，捣乱者( troublemaker的名词复数 ) | |
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dynamited
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| v.（尤指用于采矿的）甘油炸药( dynamite的过去式和过去分词 )；会引起轰动的人[事物] | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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indicators
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| （仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号 | |
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33
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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peeved
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| adj.恼怒的，不高兴的v.（使）气恼，（使）焦躁，（使）愤怒( peeve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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39
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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