At last, while he was looking at it, after a fruitless search of the darkness, he was startled by a strange phenomenon. The lights of the steamer suddenly disappeared. An instant later they shone out again.
With an exclamation, Orme seized the steering-wheel and swung it over to the right.
“There she is,” he cried, and then: “Excuse me for taking the wheel that way, but I was afraid I’d lose her.”
“I don’t see her,” said Porter.
“No; but something dark cut off the lights of that steamer. Hold her so.” He let go the wheel and peered ahead.
Presently they both saw a spot of blacker blackness in the night. Porter set the motor at half-speed.
“Have you got a bull’s-eye lantern?” asked Orme in an undertone.
“Yes, in that locker.”
Orme stooped and lighted the lantern in the shelter of the locker.
“Now run up alongside,” he said, “and ask if they need help.”