Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/195

 had first to be sent to the Iroquois by blinkers and then relayed by wireless. So both Henry and his friend Belford were kept busy for a long time. Then, too, Henry had to get in touch with the Coast Guard land station where the men from the Iroquois had found shelter, and send instructions concerning them. The captain felt that he could operate the Iroquois with his little force for the short run to Boston and thence to New York. His men were willing to do double duty. It was necessary for him to get back to New York at the earliest possible moment. The run to Boston would require only a few hours. Then he could retrace his steps immediately. It was simpler to have the seamen go direct to New York and rejoin the Iroquois there, than to wait for them in Boston. So Henry got in touch with the land station and communicated the captain’s orders to that effect.

By the time the two young wireless men had finished their tasks, they were about worn out. It was far into the night. Belford had been on duty for many hours. Henry, though not on duty so long, was almost exhausted by the nervous strain under which he had been working. Furthermore, he would have to respond, at any moment, to any call for wireless communication.

“We must get to bed,” he said the moment their tasks were done. “Won’t you please call