“It is rather rough on you to serve these six-hour watches,” added the first officer.
“I shouldn’t have minded it for a short cruise; but I didn’t ship as an engineer for a trip to England and back.”
“I suppose Richards likes it, don’t he?” Gregory proceeded, anxious to obtain more information in regard to the sentiments of the engineers.
“He is more discontented than I am. He is growling all the time; and he was downright mad when he learned that the recitations were to be carried on to-morrow, just as they are in all the vessels of the squadron. I shall be in a pretty condition to study my lessons, after this watch is finished. I shall turn in as soon as I get my breakfast, and sleep till noon, when I have to take my place in the engine-room again. How am I to keep up with the class, and run this machine twelve hours a day?”
“You can’t do it, of course.”
“No more can Richards. He came within one of slipping out of the cabin on the first of the month, when Speers came in from the steerage; and he wants to make his election sure next time.”
“It is a hard case for both of you. But I suppose you volunteered for this duty?”
“Richards and I were the only fellows who knew any thing about an engine, and we were really forced to volunteer,” yawned Alexander. “I wish we were on our way to Madeira, instead of on a trip to England.”
“What is the matter with these fellows down in the fire-room?” asked Gregory, whose attention had been attracted several times during the conversation, by the singing and laughing of the men at the fires.
“They seem to be very jolly to-night for some reason or other,” replied the engineer, gaping fearfully as his drowsiness gained upon him.