Loud orders sounded on the deck and there was a rush of many feet as the men sprang to obey. But with all the din, there was no panic or confusion. It was a Government ship, manned by a trained and disciplined crew, and in this moment of peril they lived up to the best traditions of the navy.
The Radio Boys looked at each other. Their hearts were thumping fast with excitement, but they rose to the emergency and held their voices steady.
“Must have hit a berg,” said Bob, never, however, letting his thoughts wander from the key.
“Sounds that way,” replied Jimmy. “But we were barely moving, and perhaps it didn’t do much damage.”
Just then there was a loud explosion, and a moment later the Meteor rolled from side to side while there was a deafening clatter on deck.
“Part of the berg must have broken off, and some of the flying fragments have struck the ship,” conjectured Joe.
The Meteor’s engines now began to reverse, and the boys could feel the boat yield to them.
“Backing off!” said Herb. “Thank goodness she didn’t stick.”
At this moment, Ensign Porter appeared at the door.
“Captain’s orders,” he announced. “Send out S. O. S. at once. Ship surrounded by bergs.”