“Oh, well, maybe they’ve sent off a message for help, have received an answer, and now there’s nothing to do but wait,” came from Jerry.
“That’s so,” admitted Ned. But his chums observed that he was deeply silent during mess. And as soon as it was over he suggested that they go up on deck.
“Better look for our captain first,” suggested Jerry. “His quarters are aft.”
“We’ll see him all right,” Ned declared. “I want to find out about something else, first.”
“What?” asked Bob.
“The wireless,” answered Ned. “I want to see if we’ve had any answer to our calls for help.”
As they approached the vicinity of the wireless room, the boys, and many others, became aware that something unusual had taken place. There was a group of officers—both those of the ship and those in command of the returning soldiers—gathered about the electrical cabin, and workmen were hurrying to and fro.
“What’s up, buddy?” asked Ned of a fellow soldier.
“Don’t know, exactly,” was the answer. “But I think the wireless has given out.”
“Before we got off any messages asking for help?” demanded Ned.