Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/89

 the forward end continued to float, upheld by the air imprisoned within her. The broken midship section floated low under the waves, while the bow projected well above the water. Her bottom was dark and slimy, and Henry shuddered as he looked at the monster, for monster she was, a floating monster, lying in wait for other creatures of her kind. And Henry thanked fortune that the Iroquois had not run upon this lurking death in the darkness of the night and torn herself apart, to drop to the floor of the ocean, even as half of this derelict had already done, and as the other half was so soon to do.

For no sooner had the Iroquois lost headway than the gripes were unfastened on one of the small boats, the falls loosened, and the boat lowered level with the rail. Meantime, the necessary materials for destroying the derelict had been assembled. ‘These were now lifted aboard the small boat and the crew leaped in after them. Then Lieutenant Hill, who was to command, took his place in the stern. Oars were gotten ready, and at a favorable opportunity the boat was dropped gently into the waves. In a moment she was riding safely at a little distance from the Iroquois, and her oarsmen were bending to their oars.

How astonished Henry was as he watched the little boat fight its way over to the derelict. Now