Yet it should be remembered that shore-drill is for them only a small interlude, an occasional break in the constant stream of duties that claims every unit on board of a man-o’-war throughout each working day. There is so very much to do in the keeping up to perfect fitness of the vast complication of a modern ship of war that only the most careful organisation16 and apportionment of duties makes the performance possible. But sandwiched in between such routine work comes so great a variety of marine17 evolutions that the mind is staggered to contemplate18 them. It would be well for all landsmen reading of the doings of a Naval Brigade ashore to remember this—to bear in mind that if Jack excels as a soldier, preparation for which duty is made in the merest fag-ends and scraps19 of his time, he is superexcellent in the performance of his main business, which he does in the privacy of the sea, with only the approval of his superior officers—and his pride in the British Navy—to encourage him. How would it be possible to convey to the lay mind the significance of even[383] one of these complicated evolutions that are sprung upon Jack at all sorts of times without a moment’s warning? How reveal the significance of such a manifestation20 of readiness for all emergencies as is shown by, say, the bugle-call “Prepare for action”? The ship is in a state of normal peace. Every member of the crew is engaged either upon such private matters as making or mending clothes, school-room duties, or other domestic relaxations21 peculiar22 to a watch below; or on the never-ending work of cleaning steel and brass23, &c., that must be done whatever goes undone24. At the first note of alarm every one springs to attention, before half the tune11 has vibrated they are swarming25 like bees round an overturned hive, and by the time that any ordinary individual would have realised the import of the command the whole interior of the ship is transformed. Great masses of iron that look immovable as if built into the hull26 have disappeared, every aperture27 whereby water could gain access below is hermetically sealed, each subdivision of the ship is isolated28 by water-tight doors, and from hidden depths with ponderous29 clangour is rising the food for the shining monsters above. The racks are stripped of revolvers and cutlasses, the mess-traps and tables have disappeared from the lower deck, and, showing all her teeth, the mighty30 weapon of war is ready for the foe31. If the watchful32 head of affairs has noted33 with satisfaction the number of minutes absorbed in this general upheaval34 of things, his word or two of approval circulates with electric swiftness from fighting-top[384] to torpedo-flat; should he frown darkly upon a few seconds’ delay, there is gloom on all faces and frantic35 searching of heart among those who may be held responsible therefor.
For be it noted that the perfunctory leisurely36 performance of any duty is unthinkable in the Navy. The Scriptural injunction, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,” is fully37 acted upon there, not only by command, but with the gleeful co-operation of those commanded. And hence it is that whenever a Naval Brigade is called upon for service ashore, their behaviour is such as to call for wonder and admiration38 even from those who know least about the difficulties they overcome. Their high spirits, the frolicsome39 way in which they attack the most tremendous tasks, compel even their bitterest enemies to bear witness in their favour, while hardships that would disable or dishearten landsmen only seem to heighten their enjoyment40. It has often been said that during one of our West African campaigns the conduct of the Naval Brigade in one peculiar direction was unique. Orders had been given that in consequence of the danger of lying on the ground every man should collect a sufficient pile of brushwood upon which to raise his body while he slept. To the rank-and-file of the Army this duty, coming at the end of a fatiguing41 day’s march, was a terrible one, although it was practically their only safeguard against disease. They wandered wearily about in the darkness seeking sticks for their couch, and trying all kinds of dodges42 to evade43 the salutary regulation. But Johnny Haul-taut thought it fine fun. Not only was his pile of sticks collected in double-quick time, but he was noways backward in lending a helping45 hand to his less adaptable46 march-mates of the Army, and after that he had still so much superfluous47 energy to spare that he must needs dance a great deal before retiring to rest, flinging himself about in uproarious merriment while tired soldiers were still seeking material for their couches.
Amid all the revenges that time affords the sons of men, could there be anything more dramatic than that exemplified by the relative positions of soldier and sailor to-day? Recall the infant days of the Navy, when the sailor was looked upon as a base mechanic, one degree perhaps better than the galley-slave who, chained to the oar15, enacted48 the part of machinery49 whereby the warship50 was brought into action, and lived or died as it might happen without ever having a say in the matter or an opportunity for self-defence. Picture the proud mail-clad warriors striding on board the ships, hardly deigning51 to notice the mariners52 who trimmed the sails and handled the vessels—mere rope-haulers, coarse and uncouth53, destitute54 of any military virtues55, and only fit, indeed, to be the humble56 attendants upon the behests of warlike men. Think of the general taking command of a fleet, fresh from leaguers and pitched battles ashore, and giving his orders to the ships as to a troop of horse. And then remember the great change in the relations of soldier and sailor now. Not only is the sailor a man of war from his youth[386] up, but all his training tends to bring out resourcefulness, individuality, and self-reliance, not only in the officer but in the humblest seaman57. Without in the least intending the very slightest disparagement58 to our gallant59 and able Army officers—men who have proved their ability as well as their courage on so many battlefields—it may be permissible60 to quote the recent words of a first-class petty officer, a bos’un’s mate on board of one of her Majesty’s ships, who said: “There ain’t a General livin’ as can handle a fleet, but I’ll back e’er a one of our Admirals to handle an army agenst the smartest General we’ve got.” He probably meant an army of sailors, for the behaviour of even the finest troops would hardly satisfy the ideas of smartness held by an Admiral. He has been taught to expect his men to combine the characteristics of cats, monkeys, game-cocks, and bulldogs, with a high order of human intelligence to leaven61 the whole. Remembering all this, it would be interesting to know, if the knowledge were to be had, the history of the struggle that resulted in the sailor throwing off the rule of the soldier at sea. That it was long and bitter, admits of no doubt, for it has left its traces even now, traces that it would, perhaps, be invidious to point out. Foreign critics sneer62 at most things English, and institute unfavourable comparisons, but it is gratifying to note that such comparisons are never made between the British naval officer and any other warriors soever. The task would, indeed, be an ungrateful one for any critic attempting it in the hope of proving shortcomings on the part of these splendid sailors—well, perhaps the word “sailors” will hardly fit them now. The handling of ships still forms an important part of their manifold duties, but when one realises what their scientific attainments64 must be in order to discharge all those duties, it becomes quite a mental problem how ever the naval officer of to-day manages to know so much at such an age as he usually is when he becomes a Lieutenant65. That he does manage it we all know, and not only so, but, instead of shrivelling up into a sapless, spectacled student, he retains a sparkling boyishness of demeanour, a readiness for fun and frolic of all kinds that is contagious66, making the most morbid67 visitor admitted to intimate acquaintanceship with the life of a warship feel as if the weight of years had suddenly been lifted from him.
With that keen insight which always characterises him, Mr. Kipling has noted in marvellous language what he terms the almost “infernal mobility” of a battleship’s crew—how at a given signal there suddenly bursts from her grim sides a fleet of boats, warships68 in miniature, each self-contained and full of possibilities of destruction. The sight of “Man and arm boats” simultaneously69 carried out in less than a dozen minutes by every ship in a squadron, the sudden mobilisation of an army numbering between two and three thousand perfectly70 equipped sinewy71 men in whose vocabulary the word “impossible” has no place, is one that should be witnessed by every thoughtful citizen who would understand the composition of our first line of defence. Better still, perhaps, that he should see the operation performed of transhipping guns, such guns as those landed by the tars72 of the Powerful and used with such effect at Ladysmith. One would like to know for certain whether it is true, as reported, that her 6-inch rifles were landed as well as the 4.7 guns. The latter were a handful, no doubt, but the former! They are twenty feet long, they weigh seven tons, and have a range of 11,000 yards;—penetration at 1000 yards, 11.6 inch of iron. Yet it is reported that some of these pretty playthings were landed by the bluejackets, mounted on carriages designed by one of their officers and built by the ship’s artificers, and taken up country into action. Truly a feat73 worthy74 of Titans.
Is it any wonder that Jack is proud of his shore-fighting record? Wherever and whenever he has been permitted to join in the work of the Army he has made his mark so deeply that he has come to be looked upon as indispensable, invincible75. His effervescent humour never seems to desert him, as the following anecdote76, told the writer recently, fairly well illustrates77. It was at Gingihlovo, and the Naval Brigade was face to face with an apparently78 overwhelming force of Zulus, numbers of whom were armed with rifles. The sailors were reserving their fire, only sending an occasional volley when a favourable63 opportunity presented itself. Forth79 from the Zulu host stepped a warrior4 laden80 with an ancient firearm, which he calmly mounted upon a tripod in the open, while the sailors looked on admiring his pluck, but wondering much what he was proposing to do. At last one jovial81 tar44 suggested that their photographs were going to be taken, and, by common consent, no shots were sent at the supposed photographer. Having loaded his piece with great deliberation, the Zulu primed it, sighted, and, leaning hard against its breech, he fired. The recoil—for the thing was much overloaded—knocked him head over heels backward, while a great roar of laughter went up from the delighted sailors. He sat up looking hurt and dazed, and then, the amusement over, he, along with a suddenly charging impi of his countrymen, were annihilated82 by a volley from the steadily83 aimed pieces of the little cheerful band of bluejackets.
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1
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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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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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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hampering
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的现在分词 ) | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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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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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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relaxations
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| n.消遣( relaxation的名词复数 )；松懈；松弛；放松 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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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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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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upheaval
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| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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frolicsome
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| adj.嬉戏的，闹着玩的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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dodges
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| n.闪躲( dodge的名词复数 )；躲避；伎俩；妙计v.闪躲( dodge的第三人称单数 )；回避 | |
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evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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44
tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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adaptable
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| adj.能适应的，适应性强的，可改编的 | |
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47
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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48
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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50
warship
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| n.军舰，战舰 | |
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51
deigning
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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52
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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53
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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56
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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disparagement
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| n.轻视，轻蔑 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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permissible
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| adj.可允许的，许可的 | |
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61
leaven
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| v.使发酵；n.酵母；影响 | |
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62
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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contagious
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| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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warships
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| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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72
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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illustrates
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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82
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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