Excerpt
The third day out, Eli awoke in the early dawn to the pounding of the ship. As she rolled and pitched, Eli could hear the waves breaking on deck; the wind in the rigging sounded like a banshee howling. A sharp, biting cold permeated the ship. They had hit a winter squall! From years of living on the New England coast, Eli had become used to these storms. He was sure that sick call would be full of miserably seasick soldiers this day.
He heard the faint call Medic as he was getting dressed. Dr. Chisom hurried to Elis bunk shouting, Come with me. We have an accident on deck. One of the boys has been hurt.
Eli grabbed his greatcoat and gum blanket and headed on deck to find that Corporals Clark and OMalley had the situation under control. One of their privates was lying on the deck in severe pain with what appeared to be an extra joint in his leg.
Report, OMalley, what happened? demanded Dr. Chisom crisply.
Well, sir, it seems that this here lad had come on deck seasick. He was headin to the rail to relieve his stomach when the ship lurched and he slipped on the wet deck. I examined him and found he has fractured his right tibia about mid way.
OMalley turned his attention to a sailor. Hey, ye, sailor, get me a gum blanket so we can get some cover and the good doctor here can see his patient out of this god-awful cold rain. Hurry up with you there, son. OMalley, an old Army sergeant, was a tough leader.
Dr. Chisom thanked OMalley for his report and bent over to check the young man. How are you doing, son? I think you broke your thigh. Then to OMalley: Have the carpenter get me two four-foot boards and some canvas strapping so I can make a splint. He turned to Eli. Well splint the leg so we can move him safely out of this rain and down to sick bay.
Shivering in the cold rain, they waited for the splint. It was still dark with only the faintest light of the sun. He sent Corporal Clark down below to get some morphine to relieve the mans pain. The pounding of the ship added to the soldiers discomfort. In the midst of all this a bolt of lightening struck the rigging. Like a spirit of evil, the mast started to glow. A ghoulish flame slowly covered the entire mast. It appeared to be on fire, but nothing was being consumed. The injured, panicking soldier began to cry.
The first mate turned to the young man, Everythings all right. The glow is electrical, not a real fire. We call it Saint Elmos fire. Its completely harmless. Relax, son, well get you below in a few minutes.
With the help of six men, they lowered the injured soldier down the ladder of a companionway. The movement aggravated the pain and he moaned with each jolt as they got him to sickbay in the deep bowels of the ship. As they got to the lower decks, the ships rocking subsided; they placed the injured man on a table. Dr. Chisom started his work. Corporal Clark administered chloroform so they could work without causing him additional pain and also to keep him from moving.
Dr. Chisom, always firm and clear with his directions, ordered, OMalley, hold him above the break. Eli, when I give you the word, pull hard on his lower leg. As you pull the broken ends apart, Ill manipulate the bones back into proper alignment. Everyone was more than a little tense
Everyone set? queried the doctor, Lets go.
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