Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/118

 “Are you an operator yourself?” asked the Viking’s wireless man.

“Not exactly. I was an operator at one of the United States stations for a little while. I am trying to get a place as operator in the Coast Guard. I’m taking a trip with the Iroquois now. It’s my first trip at sea.”

“Then you can read and send readily.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Would you like to say ‘How do you do’ to the operator on the Iroquois?”

“Be tickled to death,” said Henry.

“Very well. Do it,” said the operator.

Henry sat down at the Viking’s key and threw on the power. “NTE—NTE—NTE—de—WxY,” he flashed. And, almost before he had taken his finger from the key, there came crackling in his ear the reply: “WXY—WXY—WXY—de—NTE—K.”

Even had he been a thousand miles away, Henry would not have needed to inquire who was sending. There could be no mistaking the smooth, even, rapid telegraphing of Mr. Sharp.

“Hello, Mr. Sharp,” rapped out Henry. “This is Henry Harper. The operator has been courteous enough to allow me to use his equipment. The Viking is a very interesting boat.”

Henry almost said she was a mighty curious old tub, but he remembered in time that his host