In the morning the _Georgetown_ was plowing her way through a stormy sea, a heavy gale was blowing and sending the salt spray across her decks.
“It’s like the time we were out in our motor boat,” remarked Ned.
“Yes,” agreed Frank, and he thought regretfully of the _Ellen_. “And maybe we’ll have the same pleasure some time later, if we get back the money from the revolutionists,” he added.
“Why, are you going to quit the battleship?” asked Ned.
“Oh, no, I haven’t any idea of that sort, but if we get back our money we might apply for a leave of absence. Or after our four years are up, we can take a furlough.”
Just what the orders were that the commander of the _Georgetown_ had received at Havana was known only to himself and to his immediate official family. They were not made public, but the fact that the ship kept on down the South American coast in the direction of Uridio, was sufficient evidence that the trouble in the small republic was not yet over.
“We’ll see some sort of action all right,” predicted Hank, in talking the matter over with Ned and Frank, as the battleship labored on through the storm.
“Action! Say, if there’s any more action than we’re getting right now, I’d like to see it—or, rather, I wouldn’t,” cried Sam Bowler, the sailor who had found so much fault about the prospective heat.
“There you go again, old calamity-howler!” laughed Tom Dawson, who, with Hank, had become quite chummy with Ned and Frank.
Certainly the _Georgetown_ was being rather ill-used by the elements. The storm increased, rather than diminished, and soon had attained the proportions of a hurricane. There was rain, too, but so heavy was the salt spray, whipped from the crests of the foaming billows, that out on deck one could not tell the fresh water from the briney. It all came down together.
Of course, in the storm everything was lashed fast, life lines were stretched about the decks, and only the necessary routine work and duties were performed. The battleship proved herself most seaworthy, and though she did roll and pitch and toss, still she remained as tight as a drum, even under the terrific strain.
To while away the time, which was monotonous because of enforced idleness, only the necessary men being allowed on deck, some amusements were permitted. Boxing contests were arranged, though it was no easy matter to keep one’s footing, and in several of the bouts the less skillful men managed to “knock-out” efficient boxers. This was because an unexpected roll of the ship would send the good boxer off his balance when he least expected it, and the other would have a chance to “land” one on him. But it was all in fun, and taken in good part.
