Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-18
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE PTRlLS OF THE SEA

W sturdy as best she coulu
through tine nlgnt. For ten
hours she had fought her way np the
coast IN the ,uce Of the worst storm
of ,hc seHcCn.
Row. or uatteras, inc danger spot
in the route from Porto Rico to New
York, The sturdy little liner scarcely
seemed abe TO make any progress.
She had been forced miles off her
course ard closer IN toward the dan
serous reefs chan her captain liked.
Not that she liner herself was in any
grave danger. for The old Mongoliari
and her experienced captain had faced
700 many Atlantic storms for even a
big one to alarm them. The hatches
had all been bettencd down. the pas
)enGers were below. and the stanch
steamer, stripped as much as possible.
slowly rising to each attack Of the
waves, drove on with all the power Of
her engines under the storm.
Up in the little wireless room, The
highest point on the ship Harlng, the
young operator. chung 10 his berth and
wondered what was going to happen.
1t was his second trip 10 sen and his
first big storm, so no wonder the youuc
operator felt the thrill of the styu4
gle and just the fantcst fear for thf
outcome.
Every officer and man connected
with the liner was on post. waiin.
nnxiously for whatever might happen
They had little fears for the stanch
Monaghan. but there were many ships
less sturdy in those waters. and ON
such night. with the vessel ont Of
her course. there was no telling what
might occur. The captain's last in
struction had been TO look out for
wrecks
Most OF the vessels Of any size in
these waters carried wireless outfits.
and in case Of trouble they would hc
sure at once TO send out broadcast
their appeals for help. Little could lie
done in any case. but at least the Mon
golian could stand by to help rs much
as she could or, if absolutely ncccs-
sary, take advantage Of the warnings
to keep clear Of wrecks
For hours the pitching of the ship
timed irregularly to the roaring drive
of the storm, had held the wireless
man fast at his post. 1t was now past
midnight and with little chance of
any abatement boz re dawn
Uarling'S nerves were Oh edge rs he
chung to his berth. wide eyed. alert
waiting, listening TO the faintest click
that might be the forerunner to tell of
disaster and death. Half dozen times
his strained nerves had brought him
struggling from his berth to receive
such message. only to find his imag-
fnation had been playing tricks with
his fear
Suddenly there came from the in
strument clicks so sharp. so distinct
and yet 50 hurried that the Young fell
low sprang from the berth and STUN
bled to the table, sure now that ut last
something was coming
Again the instrument. clicked wildly
To the ears of the strained Operato~ it
brought chill for he knew it Wa
the sending Of some one wild with
fear. AnXiously. i,npatiently he lis.
tened. At first lie could make out
nothing.
They're crazy" be exclaimed to
" nat Tue lltt1 t'l VITA
them: They're crazy"
The wild rattle of the receiver stop
ped. and Hariing seized his own key.
What's wrong: Don't be a fooi.
Keep your nerves Send sense
The touch of the key had brought
him thoroughly to himself His nerve
frightened and his head grew cool as he
drove his message fercely out into the
storm.
He paused listening eagerly, and
again the receiver began to click. al.
most as wildly as insanely, as before
Only the Skilled operator could make
put "C-Q-D."
"A distress signal" he saspcd. cts
ZONE
Again the Mongolan's wireless oper-
orator seized his key and drove out
his answer into the night.
AS he waited be seized the telc-
phone connected direct with the cap
fain's stateroOm.
Captain. have Just received dis
tress signal" he shouted. Have sent
them our position in course. but the
fool seemed to have lost his nerve.
Have not been able TO got anything
from him yet
The answer OF the captain came
back cool and sharp.
MAKE him tell where he is and who
he Is at once. I'll be with You"
The receiver had begun to click
again wildly. and Harllng. gripping the
table to keep himself steady. listened
with disgust. for the sending now was
nat Of man absolutely insane from
ear
"Help! Help! For Gods sake help
,s"' was all the receiver clicked.
At last it stopped moment. ana
ne aIongoliaa operator managed to
nut in.
Send name and position" he pound
I'd ferocly. Send position. Keep
nerve. Send position
He stopped, srasplng the table and
waiting anxiolSly.
M-o-n-g o-l-i.a-nw the receiver click
ed wildly
"The fooI"' gasped uarlng "Thc
dirty coward. Sending that way at
juch tlme!"
lie seized the key and drove out
hercely his command.
Send position"
For reply the receiver clicked back
- aa lad