Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/171

 terse commands, they leaped to action. In an instant the anchor-chain was released, and as it paid out the Iroquois began to move. Driven by wind and wave, she bore farther into the breakers. A seaman with the lead sounded and roared out the depths. Rapidly the water shoaled, but the captain let the Iroquois drive on. He meant to save his men if it were humanly possible. Rapidly the tide was sweeping them outward. The wind was pushing the cutter inward. Every second brought the struggling men nearer to their comrades, who waited with ropes and buoys, at the rail of the Iroquois.

Of a sudden the Iroquois was jarred from stem to stern. Again and again, as she rolled in the waves, came that pounding, jarring sensation. She had struck bottom. She was on the shoals. The captain signaled for full speed ahead, and shouted an order to the men at the anchor-chain. The propeller began to revolve slowly, then faster, then at full speed. The engine on the forward deck began to heave in the anchor-chain. The Iroquois seemed to pause and gather herself for a leap. Almost imperceptibly at first, then faster, and then with a rush, she moved through the water. An oncoming comber, towering toward the skies, met her bow on, and again the little cutter plunged headlong under water. A warning cry went up. The men on deck grasped