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

see quarter mile with the search
light"
Again the receiver began a wild
tattoo. The light went out OF Har-
hng's face as he listened. Then he
turned almost piteously TO the captain.
"He says they're breaking up. sir
FOR Gods sake
The clicking stopped suddenly. The
two men I'm the wireless room looked
ar each other. and slowly each saw the
horror grow IN the eyes Of the other.
They waited with blanched faces. The
receiver stayed stiu.
They're gone" said the captain
softly at last. and outside the wireless
room the wind roared triumphantly.
while the biz waves pitched the ship
! about IN the teeth Of the gale.
Harling dropped back into a chair.
Gomez be muttered stupidity.
Gone" And then. to his plain mag
nation. there came the picture OF the
yacht breaking up and the thirty going
down TO death In the sea. Perhaps
they might be closer; they might be
almost on them. Perhaps there was
stili time. And then theIhought. SUD
pose there are women, too. on board, :"
came 70 the young operator.
Harling sprang 10 bis feet.
mo. nor he yelled loud above the
storm. They shan't be gonel We
will save themr
He sprang 10 the key and desperate
". rebelliously. volleyed out into the
night message OF cheer and hope.
We're coming. Wen save you yet
Where are VOC? Hang orr
The captain laid his hand gently on
the young fellows shoulder.
It's no use. fear. boy" he said
SOFTLY They are gone. That's the
way it is at sea. You've done all you
could. boy. Make full report and
transcription for me. II you should get
another call send for me at once"
Turning. the old seaman opened tho
door OF the wireless room TO hght his
way along the deck 20 the lookout's
position. Inside the room young Har-
Ing dropped into a chair before his
instrument and. bending over. buried
his head IN his hand.
Suddenly no sat up straight. tense In
every nerve and muscle What was
that2 Was K his Imagination playing
tricks again? No. He could not be
mistaken. There Il was again.
he looked. listened. then sprang 70
his feet. with a shrek OF joy. for the
little recorder IN front of him began
again slowly. as though tired. TO click
"A-A-A-A."
lie read Il OF aloud. with regret.
Just some battleshlp." he said hit.
terly 70 himself That's the navy
call"
Next bis face lighted. and he laughed
aloud Historically. FOR IL was the navy
call. but it came from the Irvessa. I'm
patiently the operator seized the tele-
phone.
Captain. captain he shrleked. 1--WE
got the lryessa again. sir Not Pinck-
ney this time. There's a man at the
key. We can get something from this
one. he can't send much, but he's all
there with his nerve"
he dropped the telephone again as
the receiver began TO click:
Yacht lrvessa aground on reef Pc
sitlon unknown. but within thirty miles
OF you getting this message. To indi-
cate relative position storm center now
passing directly northeast OF Us. Heav-
lest lightning northeast by east. Can
you make out our positionY"
The captain had re-entered the wire
less room by the time the message was
delivered.
TEL him." exclaimed the oficer.
I'VE can make out his probable posi-
ton. We are steering southwest bv
west to find him. Ask him how long
he can last"
The answer 10 the message came
back slowly. with every dot and dash
absolutely distinct:
Half an hour"
''Tell him." commanded the captain.
I'VE are twenty miles away probably
and can't make better than y knots
an hour In this storm"
A terrific dash OF lightning for one
binding instant lit up the mountain
Gus waste OF waves outside
ASK him whore that lightning was.
shouted the officer
East by north" toe receiver clicked
back.
In another minute the course OF the
ship had been changed one point 20
the southwark. and all this while the
receiver slowly but steadily clicked
out guiding news
I'VE have two boats. Both boats IeTt
yacht ten minutes ago during break in
communication with you. They seem
understand direction you coming. First
boat making for you. Look for its
lights"
An expression OF admiration came on
the face OF the old seaman.
''rhen that fellow must have stayed
behind TO guide us and save the people
IN the boat" he exclaimed. ASK him
how many are with him"
Harling translated the quick answer:
''One. He is below. Stayed with me
TO run dynamo. We can give direc-
tons as long as hold together. That
last lightning fash due north"
well, he's got his nerve. all right"
exclaimed the officer. with admiration.