Read Online Pacific Interlude by Sloan Wilson - Free Book Online Page B

compartment with three tiers of bunks on each side, a table in the middle. It was dirty and paint was flaking from the bulkheads. Although the weather was comfortable outside, it was much too hot here. Six men who were off watch were sweating as they slept in their undershorts.
    â€œWhen eighteen men get in here, they’re not going to be much better off than niggers on a slave ship,” Buller said.
    Syl shrugged.
    â€œCan you imagine what this is going to be like when we get to New Guinea? You’ll be able to bake bread in here.”
    â€œA lot of the men will sleep on deck.”
    â€œWhy aren’t there more vents here? They can hardly get a breath of air.”
    â€œWhen we run into a heavy head sea we’ll be shoving this whole bow under green water. I suppose we could put in some kind of watertight hatch or air funnels—”
    â€œHow about air conditioning?”
    â€œI never heard of it aboard ship. I doubt if even the big carriers have much of it.”
    â€œThat’s no reason our men have to roast. There are plenty of big refrigerator components around here. If I can get the parts I can figure out something that will work.”
    â€œI’m not sure we have the juice for that sort of thing.”
    â€œSo maybe we’ll have to put in a new generator. There’s plenty of space in the engine room.”
    â€œHave you talked to Mr. Wydanski about this?”
    â€œHe said it’s all up to you.”
    â€œHow much would the equipment cost?”
    â€œI don’t know yet, but I’m a great scrounger. I bet I can steal most of it.”
    â€œLet’s go back to my cabin.”
    They walked through the clouds of steam. They found Simpson lying in his bunk reading his Bible. He made no move to leave when they came in.
    â€œMr. Simpson, this business of sharing a cabin is going to present difficulties,” Syl said. “This place has to be my office. Sometimes I’m going to have to ask for privacy.”
    â€œAye, aye, sir,” Simpson said, snapped his Bible shut and went out, closing the door behind him with exaggerated quietness.
    â€œCan’t we get rid of that little son of a bitch?” Buller said.
    â€œHe’s a good officer in many ways and he knows this ship. Look, your air-conditioning idea is good, but we can’t put it high on our priority list. I hereby appoint you supply officer of this ship. Here’s a checklist I made out with a number by each item to give its priority. You’ll note that spare parts for the engine and a medical chest head the list.”
    â€œI’ll get all this stuff—don’t worry about that. Do you mind if we buy a secondhand truck? We can sell it just before we leave.”
    â€œOkay—go ahead. And work with Mr. Wydanski on the air conditioning—as the ship’s engineer, he has to be in charge of it.”
    â€œThat crazy old Polack wouldn’t know an air-conditioner from an Airedale—”
    â€œHe’s a hell of a lot smarter than you think. He also outranks you. You’ll have to work with him.”
    â€œI’ll try, but the only thing more stupid than a regular Coast Guard officer is the Polack reserve—”
    Syl was saved from having to reply to this one by a knock on the door. Cramer stood there, his cap in his hand.
    â€œI’m sorry to interrupt, skipper,” he said. “When you have time, I’d like to talk to you.”
    â€œCome on in. Mr. Buller and I have finished.”
    â€œOne more thing, skipper,” Buller said. “The men are moving into the house as soon as they get off of here tonight. Can they leave about four o’clock?”
    â€œThere’s nothing much for most of them to do aboard here right now. Tell Mr. Simpson that I said anyone not needed for some reason can go anytime. Just make sure a proper watch is kept.”
    â€œThat’s great,” Buller said. “The boys want