Part 21 (1/2)
”Repeat it as it comes.”
”Very well, sir. _Indefatigable_ calling.”
”Ask her position.”
”Five miles south by southwest, sir.”
”Inform Captain Reynolds that we shall slow down and wait for him to come up with us.”
”Very well, sir.”
The operator sent the message.
”O.K., sir, signed, 'Reynolds,'” the operator reported a few moments later.
”Ask her if she has picked up any other vessels.”
”Destroyers _Fortune_ and _Shark_, sir,” reported the operator a little later.
”Good. Give Captain Reynolds our position and tell him to keep working his wireless. Tell him we are likely to need every s.h.i.+p we can bring up.”
”Very well, sir.”
The operator sent the message.
”O.K., again, sir,” he reported.
Captain Raleigh pa.s.sed a slip of paper to the operator.
”On this,” he said, ”are enumerated the s.h.i.+ps that should be somewhere in these waters. Pick up as many of them as you can. As you give the warnings when answered check them off on the list. If any information is asked, call me.”
”Very well, sir,” replied the operator, taking the slip of paper. ”No other instructions, sir?”
”No. Send the same message as you sent to the _Indefatigable_.”
Captain Raleigh motioned Frank and Jack to follow him and left the room.
”I want you two to attend me closely,” he informed the lads. ”I shall have lots of leg work that must be done from now until we sight the enemy and even after that. You shall act as my orderlies tonight and while the battle lasts.”
Frank and Jack were considerably flattered by this. They knew that Captain Raleigh had been pleased with their work.
They saluted.
”Very well, sir,” they exclaimed in a single breath.
”I want one of you to report to the wireless room, room, ready to bring me any message that may come,” instructed Captain Raleigh. ”The other will stay here. You can suit yourselves about your positions.”
”I'll go to the wireless room, then, sir,” said Frank.