The boys listened with keen attention. They had been away so long from land that almost everything they heard had more or less interest for them.
There was news of what was going on in Washington, political measures, acts of Congress, treaties with foreign countries. Then there were accounts of disasters, railroad wrecks, fires and sinkings.
Suddenly the boys stiffened and sat bolt upright in their seats, while their faces went pale with excitement. They held their breath. They had caught the words:
“Great fire in Clintonia; town swept by flames; great property damage; loss of life feared!”
CHAPTER XVI
THE RADIO WARNING
“Clintonia!” cried Bob. “That’s our home town!”
“Swept by flames!” gasped Joe, the sweat starting out on his brow.
“Loss of life feared!” groaned Jimmy, as he visioned his own people perhaps trapped by the fire.
“I wonder if our folks were caught in it,” moaned Herb.
Johnson and Marston looked at them with deep sympathy.