Part 13 (1/2)
CHAPTER XVI
S. O. S.
Dawn showed a smudge of black smoke on the far horizon which might or might not have been the mysterious visitant of the night. At any rate, by noon something occurred which quite put out of Jack's mind, and those of the s.h.i.+p's officers, who were considerably exercised over the midnight signals, all thoughts of the secretive craft.
To Jack, seated at his instruments, there had suddenly come a sharp call:
”S.O.S.-S.O.S.-S.O.S.”
Coming as it did, like a bolt from the blue, the urgent call thrilled the young operator. He galvanized into action instantly and sent Sam scurrying to the bridge with word that the most urgent call that can a.s.sail a wireless man's ears had just come to him.
It was faint and far away, but that very fact made it evident to Jack's experienced mind that whoever was sending the message, was in dire straits and running out of current.
He pressed his key and sent thundering out with all the volleying force of his powerful dynamos, an answer.
”What s.h.i.+p are you?” he demanded.
The answer that came back almost knocked him out of his chair.
”The airs.h.i.+p _Adventurer_, from New Orleans to Havana. We are on the surface of the water and sinking rapidly.”
”Your position, quick!” demanded Jack.
Back through s.p.a.ce, in a slowly dying wireless voice, came the lat.i.tude and longitude of the luckless craft.
”You are on our course. Stand by and we will pick you up,” said Jack, whom a rapid glance at the wall map had shown that, roughly, the sinking air-craft was not more than twenty miles to the southwest of the _Tropic Queen's_ position.
”What has happened?” asked Jack.
”No time explain details. Hurry! Hurry!--”
Jack tried to get the unseen operator once more, but a silence that was far more eloquent than words alone greeted his efforts. He turned to see the captain, in his white uniform and gold-laced cap, standing behind him.
”What is this S.O.S., Ready?” he demanded. ”What craft is in distress?”
”An airs.h.i.+p, sir. The _Adventurer_, bound from New Orleans for Havana, Cuba.”
”By Neptune! I recall now reading that two aviators were going to make such a foolhardy attempt.”
”What kind of an air-craft is she, sir? Do you recall?”
”Why, one of those flying-boats, as they are called, I believe.”
”A big aeroplane fitted with a boat's hull?”
”That's the idea. But did they give you their position?”
Jack handed over the figures.