“The operator says that he’s heard nothing yet of Mr. Strong having been picked up,” was the further bad news that Joe gave them.
“If he’s lost, that means that your watch is lost too,” Jimmy observed to Bob.
“I’d rather lose any other thing that I own than that watch,” said Bob, mournfully. “It was a beauty. But, after all, I’d gladly give that to know that Mr. Strong was safe.”
At about three o’clock in the afternoon the Meteor hove to, about half a mile away from a small iceberg.
“Wonder what’s up now,” remarked Joe, as he noted the slowing down of the engines. “Going to make a visit to that berg, I wonder?”
“No sign of lowering boats,” responded Bob. “They’re swinging out a big boom at right angles to the ship.”
“And the boom has ladders that reach down to the water,” chimed in Herb. “What kind of a Chinese puzzle is this, anyway?”
The boys’ bewilderment was increased as they noted that a large number of the crew were stripping off their clothes.
“By ginger, they’re going in swimming!” exclaimed Bob.
“Swimming in sight of an iceberg!” ejaculated Joe. “Why, they must be crazy!”