The Young Engineers on the Gulf: Or, The Dread Mystery of the Million Dollar Breakwater — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Young Engineers on the Gulf: Or, The Dread Mystery of the Million Dollar Breakwater
John Stuart Mill · en
"It is not necessary go back," volunteered a voice behind them. "I have
the blankets."
"Nicolas!" gasped Tom, in surprise. "How did you know I was here?"
"I wake up when you talk to Meester Renshaw," replied the Mexican simply.
"I listen. I know, now---poor Senor Hazelton!"
Nicolas's voice broke, and, as he stepped closer, Tom beheld some large
tears trickling down the little Mexican's face.
"Nicolas, you're a good fellow!" cried Tom, impulsively, "but I don't want
the blankets. Spread them on the sand, then lie down on them yourself
until I need you."
"What---me? I lie down?" demanded Nicolas. "No, no! That impossible is.
I must walk, walk! Me? I am like the caged panther to-night. I want
nothing but find the enemy who have hurt Senor Hazelton. Then I jump on
the back of that enemy!"
Saying which Nicolas saluted, and, as became his position of servant, fell
back some yards. But first he had dropped the blankets to the beach.
The light of lanterns showed that the men of one gang were searching
thoroughly all along the top of the wall. Once in a while a man belonging
to the beach patrol passed the chief engineer and the superintendent,
reporting only that no signs of Harry had been found.
An hour thus passed. Then, from over the water, as the lantern-bearing
searchers were returning, a dull explosion boomed across the water.
"Great Scott!" quivered Tom. "There they go at it again, Mr. Renshaw!
Another section of the retaining wall has gone---blown up!"
CHAPTER V
WANTED---DAYLIGHT AND DIVERS
In a trice the foreman of the gang on the wall wheeled his men about,
running them out seaward toward the scene of the latest explosion. That
much was plain from the twinkling of the rapidly-moving lanterns.
"Come on, Renshaw!" Tom shouted. "You, too, Nicolas. You can pull an
oar."
Reade was already racing out on to the small dock. He all but threw
himself into a rowboat that lay tied alongside.
"Cast off and get in," Tom ordered his companions, as he pushed out a pair
of oars. "Nicolas, you're also good with a pair of oars. Mr. Renshaw,
you take the tiller. Inform me instantly when you see the first gleam of
the 'Morton's' search-light. Evarts ought to have caught the scoundrels
this time. Evidently he's been cruising softly without showing a light."
Mr. Renshaw gathered up the tiller ropes as Tom pushed off from the dock.
Then the chief engineer addressed himself to the task of rowing. His firm
muscles, working at their best, shot the little craft ahead. Nicolas, at
the bow oars, did his best to keep up with his chief in the matter of
rowing, though the Mexican was neither an oarsman nor an athlete.
"Don't you make out the motor boat's lights yet?" Tom asked impatiently,
after the first long spurt of rowing.
"Not yet, sir," replied the superintendent. "I shan't miss the light when
it shows."
A few minutes later the superintendent announced in a low voice: