Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-01-20

sengers 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, 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
anxiously for whatever might happen.
They had little fears for the stanch
Mongolian, but there were many ships
less sturdy in those waters, and on
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 for
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 shin,
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.
Harllng's nerves were on edge as 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 a dozen times
his strained nerves had brought him
struggling from his berth to receive
such a message, only to find his imag-
1nation had been playing tricks with
his fear.
Suddenly there came from the in
strument clicks so sharp, so distinct
n yet so hurried that the young fell
low sprang from the berth and STUN
bled to the table. sur now that at last
something was coming.
Again the instrument clicked wildly.
10 the ears Of the strained operator it
brought u chill. for he knew it was
the sending OF ONE one wild with
fear. Anxiously. impatiently, he lis
tened. At first he could make u
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 Harling seized his own key.
Whats 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 he
drove his message fiercely 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
GOMEZ
Again the Mongolian's wireless oper-
orator seized his key and drove out
his answer into the night.
AS he waited he seized the telp-
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 t 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 who
he is at M I'll 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 was
that Of a man absolutely insane from
fear.
Help! Help! For Gods SAKE help
us" was all the receiver clicked.
At last it stopped a moment, and
the Monaghan operator managed to
cut IT,.
Send name and position" be pound
ed tiercely. Send position. Keep
nerve. Send position"
He stopped, grasping the table and
waiting a~nxiously.
'M-o-n-g-o-l-i-a-n!" the receiver click.
ed wildly.
1.-The fool" gasped Harling. 1.-THE
dirty coward! Sending that way at
such a timer
He seized the key and drove out
fercely his command:
Send position"
For reply the receiver clicked back
in the same ratified way:
yacht Irvessa breaking upon reef.
For Gods sake help us! Will pay any
reward ii you will save us at once!
Help us quick. for Gods sake" 1
The rage of the operator had risen.
Va tl~tl -