All idea of going aboard the cabinless Three Sisters, or of attempting to set up the shore tent in the rain and wind had been abandoned. Captain Joe led his bedraggled, sore and shivering party to the fo’castle. In a moment, he had the big swinging lantern ablaze.
“Now, Kids,” exclaimed Mac, “git busy. Dig into them slop chests and git some rags to warm ye up an’ sleep in. An’ Jerry,” he added, “if yer ever goin’ to make good as a cook, ye got the chanst to-night. They’s a cook’s galley aboard, I reckon, an’ the least we’re a goin’ to have is coffee.”
“An’ don’t stop at that if there’s anything you can fry,” added Hal. “We might as well make a night of it.”
After the long, wearying hours in the Escambia, the crew’s quarters of the steamer seemed like the welcome glow of a big fireplace. It was like the preparation for a masquerade. In the midst of the jovial melee, Captain Joe disappeared. But while the boys, white and black alike, were getting out of their own soaked clothes and trading or stealing each other’s finds, the slow speaking Romano reappeared. Under his arm he carried a small leather case. The boys crowded forward.
“The boss’ medicine box,” explained Captain Joe.
Jerry fell back at once. While the others laughed the old seaman opened the little case and after long examination extracted a bottle labeled: “Quinine—5 grains.” Four other youngsters immediately joined Jerry. But without explanation or argument Captain Joe poured a generous dose into his brawny hand and then motioned the boys to him.
“I want some water,” began Hal with a wry face.
For answer the old skipper caught the boy by the shoulder, shoved the quinine into his mouth, clapped his hand over it and the deed was done. Plainly, there was no escape. In turn, the other boys marched up, opened their mouths and took their medicine. Jerry was last.
“Captain Joe,” he pleaded, “dat shorely make me sick. Mah mammy done put mah powdahs in sugah. Ah—”
Before he could say more, the thoughtful Romano had the frightened Jerry in his arms and was forcing the tonic through his tightly closed lips. The colored boy fought valiantly, but an instant later, the four white boys, roaring with laughter, had the squirming Jerry on the floor where the medicine was forced down his unwilling throat.