Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/244

 Black hurried to rejoin Henry. “Tell the Rayolite we want to get a compass bearing,” said Black.

Henry turned to his key and flashed the call of the Rayolite. Hardly audible was the acknowledgment. “Iroquois wants compass bearing,” telegraphed Henry. “Flash letters MO con- tinuously several minutes. Stand by for answer.”

“Will flash let” came the reply, so faint that Henry hardly caught the signals. The end of the message was lost altogether.

“She’s gone,” said Henry, aghast. Then he added: “Maybe she’s only gone out of hearing. We must be heading away from her. Tell the captain.”

Black rushed for the captain. Henry turned to his key. Again and again he flashed out the call of the Rayolite, but no answering signal came through the storm. Without turning from his instruments he knew that the Iroquois was changing her course. She began to roll fearfully in the trough of the sea. Henry had to cling to his desk to keep from sliding out of his chair. Once such rolling of the ship would have filled him with terror. Now he thought little of it. He was too intent on what he was doing.

For a long time they drove on through the storm. Belford relieved Black in the wireless shack. Suddenly Henry became aware that