“As fast as the ship can carry us,” replied the captain. “We can make port all right under our own power, but the vessel has been so damaged by the ice that it needs thorough repairs and overhauling.”
He left them, and there was a perfect hubbub of delight among the Radio Boys. Now they would be able to get in touch with their parents, and receive the answers to the questions that had been burdening their hearts so long.
They had to travel at reduced speed, owing to the Meteor’s damaged condition, and it was the third day afterward that they reached Halifax.
The first thing the Radio Boys did after they had set foot on shore was to rush to the telegraph office. They sent long messages home, announcing their safe return to port and asking for all particulars of the fire.
The boys were on tenterhooks while they waited for the answers, which they longed for so eagerly, and yet which, in a sense, they dreaded for what they might contain.
What a weight was lifted from their hearts when the answers came! They were full of love and urgent with entreaties for them to hurry home. As regarded the fire, it had been a severe one, but had not materially affected the families of the Radio Boys. The Laytons and the Fenningtons had escaped unscathed. Dr. Atwood’s garage had been burned, and part of the Plummer home had been damaged. But nobody had been hurt, and as the property losses were fully covered by insurance, there was nothing to lessen the joy of the boys in their homecoming. And that joy was deepened by a statement in Mr. Layton’s message that Mr. Strong had been rescued, though his boat was picked up many hours later than any of the others. He had suffered no serious injury. Nor had Bob’s watch, which Mr. Layton took especial pains to mention, as he knew how highly his son prized it, been hurt.
The boys danced about the telegraph office and fairly hugged each other in the exuberance of their relief and delight, while the operator, who knew the reason, smiled in sympathy.
“Glory hallelujah!” shouted Bob.
“They’re safe!” exulted Joe, while Jimmy and Herb were incoherent in their raptures.
When they had gotten themselves under control, they set to work on their packing. They had to attend to the expressing of the polar bear skins, which the captain had given them, one to be retained by Joe and the other by Jimmy, as souvenirs of their narrow escape. And Jimmy took a good deal of time and care in arranging for Hector to be taken along in the baggage car, with an ample provision of food for the journey.