THE SCALLYWAGS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 282, 8 June 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE SCALLYWAGS.

"We don't have much trouble with tho A.8.5," said the superintendent (meaning the Able Seaman) "although they drink too much when ashore now and then; but tbe firemen are the scallywags; they're always drunk." "Don't be too hard on the scallywags," pleaded the old skipper, who was a kindly an dtolerant man; "they get so 'fed up' with coal dust when afloat that it must take an ocean of liquor to wash them clean. Believe me, I the hardest drinker is often the best worker when sober, and if it comes to facmg death there are no braver fellows than the black gang in the stoke* hold. A fireman may be a scallywag, but I've known more than one who was a real hero. Don't be too hard on the scallywags.' • » * *

The ship is homeward bound; she has a full cargo and a fair number of passengers. At daybreak she runs into the danger zone, and when the lifebelts are handed out it is whispered that a submarine has been sighted, after the officer.on the watch has had » brief consultation with the captain the 6h'p steers » zigzag course, and pveryone is on the alert. The engineers have eye and hand on the groat heart of the ship, watching and counting tho beats, calculating the strain ;4 i Dan s>tand, and how long it can lie kept

IPWord is down into the bowels >f the ship where the firemen are fcedng tho furnaces. Everything depends ipon them. The captain on the bridge nay give his orders, the engineers can :ontrol valves and fevers, but the fires nust do tlie work if a run for life is eo be attempted. The firemen, stripped to the waist, rith black sweat streaming off their :odies, hurl in shovelful after shovelful »f coal, reaching right through the Hoors in order to .spread it with a clover urn of the slice. Tlioir hands are corchjed, their foreheads blister, their nuscles swell and knot, but the men lever flinch. Fiercer and whiter glow ;he furnaces, as swiftly the coal is shovilled in. Highest pressure has lteen cached, and it is to he a race for l'fe. The captain changes his orders. Tntead of dodging the enemy he wrfl pirn am tho slip over a straight course with all steam ahead. Throbbing and vu •rating, the .ship ploughs her way hrough the waters, the pulse of the tigmo nirekons and drags nut every mnce of speed, while down lie-low the •erathles firemen, with anus shining ike polished ebony, work on at the •lazing doors of hell. Tho captain inclines h's ear to rccfve a message from the wirelessoom. The tension of his five relnxcs nd he smiles. ll's c;>M has been nswerrd: he knows that in a. few mintes he will see on the horizon a dctroyer liastening to his protection. Tim ri'bmarine knows it too mid luk dived. danger is passed and tlie passengers on oard c;n bo reassured.

"Tho black gang put in some fine •ork, sir." raid tho eh'of officer, "•■•■ we our lives to them."

i Don't bo too hard on "the i:!v