Bright and brilliant they shot up, and flashed in the clear, dark blue sky.
Scarcely had they died away when the captain returned and took his place on the bridge.
"Signaled her, Mr. Simmons?" he said.
"Yes, sir," replied the third officer.
Scarcely had he spoken when an answering signal appeared shooting up from the deck of the passing steamer.
"By jingo! that's queer," said the captain.
"Very strange, indeed, sir," replied the third officer.
"What do you understand by that?"
"It's heave to, or I'm mistaken; but, really, I don't understand the whole code as well as I ought. I must take the book in hand."
"See, she's altering her course. We'll show our ensign, and alter the ship's course a few points to the northwest."