Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/161

 to stern. She shook and quivered. The great wave went roaring aft, twisting and tearing at the ship. A section of the rail carried away, and went pounding astern. The tumult was terrifying. Henry, in the chart-room, thought the ship was breaking to pieces. With blanched face and set teeth he clung to the side of the room, not knowing what to do. He was reassured when the captain calmly stepped inside the wheel-house and signaled for the engineer to lessen speed.

Hour after hour they wallowed through the storm. Unflinching, undaunted, in complete mastery of ship and crew, the captain stood on the bridge, with his right-hand man. Mile by mile, league after league, he fought his way eastward. The rain ceased, but the winds blew on, lashing the seas to fiercer and greater fury. The sky was totally obscured. Gradually the fog lifted, but not for long was the increased vision. Darkness came apace, and into that roaring darkness the Iroquois drove with all the power she dared to use.

With anxious eyes the captain watched the logbook. At times he telephoned to the chief engineer. Again and again he stepped to the wheel-house and looked at the compass. Anon he consulted with the lieutenant. He must know where he was, in order to get safely round the long arm of. Nor did he dare stand