Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-01

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. Harling. the
young operator. chung TO his berth and
wondered what was going TO happen
1t was his second trip to sea and his
first big storm. so no wonder the young
operator felt the thrill of the strug
gle and just the faintest fear for the
outcome.
Every officer and man connected
with the liner was on post, waiting
anxfously for whatever might happen
They had little fears for the stancb
Monaghan. but there were many ships
less sturdy In those waters. and OF
such a night. with the vessel out OF
her course. there was no telling what
might occur. The captains last in
struction had been to look out fo1
wrecks.
/ Most of the vessels of any size in
these waters carried wireless outfits
and in case of trouble they would be
sure at once to send out broadcast
their appeals for help. Little could be
done in any case, but at least the Mon
golian could stand by TO help as much
as she could or. if absolutely neces-
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 before dawn.
Harling'S nerves were on edge as he
chung to his berth. wide eyed, alert.
waiting. listening to the faintest clicE
that might be the forerunner TO tell OF
disaster and death. Half n dozen times
his strained nerves had brought him
struggling from his berth 70 receive
such a message. only TO find his imag
ination had been playing tricks witt
his fear
Suddenly there came from the in
strument clicks so sharp. SO distinct
ana 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.
A gain the instrument clicked wildly.
To the ears of the strained operator it
brought 4 chill. for he knew it was
the sending of some one wild with
fear. Anxiously, impatiently, he lis
tened At first be could make out
nothing.
+ They're crazy" he exclaimed to
himself WHATS the matter with
them: They're crazy
The wild rattle OF the receiver stop
ped. and HarIing seized his own key.
What's wrong: Don't be i 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 he
drove his message tiercely 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 signal he gasped. ITS
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-
phone connected direct with the cap
tain'S staterOOm.
Captain. have just received a 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 get anything
from him yet"
The answer Of the captain came
back cool and sharp.
Make him tell where he is and whc
he is at once. I'll be with you"
The receiver had begun to click
again wildly. and Harling, gripping the
liable to keep himself steady, listened
With disgust. for the sending now was
:hat of n man absolutely insane from
1ea=
Help! Help. For Gods sake help
usn' was all the receiver clicked.