Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-20

CHAPTER XIV.
THE FERILs or THE SEA.


sturduy as best she could
through the night. For ten
hours she had fought her way I'D the
coast in the face Of the worst storm
Of the season.
Now, OF Hatteras. the danger spot
In the route from Porto Rico TO New
York, the sturdy little liner scarcely
seemed able to make any progress.
She bad been forced miles OF her
course and closer in toward the dan
gerous reefs than her captain liked.
Not that the liner herself was In any
grave danger. for the old Monaghan
and her experienced captain had faced
too many Atlantic storms for even a
big one 70 ALARM them. The matches
bad all been batteued down. the pas
sengers were below. and the stanch
steamer. stripped as much as possible
slowly rising 20 each attack OF the
waves, drove on with all the power OF
her engines under the storm.
Up 10 the little wireless room, the
highest point on the ship. Harling. the
young operator, chung 10 his berth and
wondered what was going 10 happen.
IL was his second trip 90 sea and his
first big storm. SO 20 wonder the youn-
operator felt the thrill OF the strur-
gle and just the faintest fear for the
outcome
Every officer and man connected
with the liner was on post. waiting
anxiousiy for whatever might happen
They had little fears for the stanch
hongOlian, but there were many ships
less sturdy in those waters. and on
such a night. with the vessel ont OF
her course. there was no telling what
might occur The captains last In
struction had been to look out for
wrecks.
Most OF the vessels OF any size I'm
these waters carried wireless outfits.
and In case OF trouble they would be
sure at once 20 send ont broadcast
their appeals for help. Little could be-
done IN any case. but az least the Mon
golian could stand by 10 help as much
as she could or. n absolutely neces-
ssry. take advantage OF the warnings
TO keep clear OF wrecks.
For hours the pitchlng OF the shin
timed irregularly to the roaring drive
OF the storm, had held the wireless
man fast at HIS post II was now past
midnight and with little chance OF
any abatement before dawn.
Harling's nerves were on edge as he
chung to his berth. wide eyed. alert.
waiting. listening 90 the falntest click
that might be the forerunner to tell OF
disaster and death. Half a dozen times
his strained nerves had brought him
struggling from his berth 10 receive
such IA message. only 10 find his Imsc-
nation had been playing tricks with
his fear
Suddenly there came from the in
strument clicks so sharp, so distinct
and yet so hurried that the young fel-
low sprang from the berth and stun
bled TO the table. sure now that at last
something was coming.
Again the Instrument clicked wildly
To the ears OF the strained operator il
brought chill. for be knew il was
the sending OF some one wild with
fear. AnxiousIy. impatieutly, he lis
tened. At first he could make out
nothing.
They're crazy" he exclaimed TO
What's the matter with
theml They're erazyw
The wild rattle OF the receiver stop
ped. and Harling seized his own key.
What's wrong? Don't be a fool.
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 be
drove his message 6ercely 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
out "C-Q-D."
"a distress signalF' he gasped. IT'S
come"
Again the Mongolian's wireless oper-
orator seized his key and drove out
his answer into the night
AS he waited he seized the tele-e
phone connected direct with the cap
tain's stateroom.
Captain. have just received a dis
rress signal he shouted. Have sent
them our position In course. but the
fool seemed TO have lost his nerve
Have not been able to get anything
from him yet"
The answer OF the captain came
back cool and sharp.
MAKE him tell where he n and who
be Is at once. I'I be with you"
The receiver had begun to click
again wildly, and Harling. gripping the
table TO keep himself steady. listened
with disgust. for the sending now WIS
that OF a man absolutely insane from
fear.
~Helpi Help! For, Gods sake help
us!' was all the receiver clicked.