[CHAPTER XIII]
NODDY NIXON TURNS UP
Would those on the steamer hear it? Would they change the course in time? Could they, at the rate the ship was going?
These were questions which surged through the minds of those on the Dartaway. How anxiously they waited to see how they would be answered!
“If she hits us jump for your lives!” cried Sam, climbing through the awning curtains out on the gunwale. “It’s the only chance we’ve got!”
But there was some excitement on the steamer. Lights flashed out on the bow. Then a big glaring beam from a search lantern cut through the gloom. There were confused shouts, a jingle of bells. Evidently the cannon had been heard.
“She’s veering off! She’s veering off!” yelled the sailor. “Look out for the wash as she passes us!”
Indeed, the great steamer could be seen to be changing her course. The immense bow seemed to glide away from the motor boat. As the boys held their breaths the vessel loomed up almost in front of them, but safely away. They had just escaped being run down.
With inquiring toots from her big whistles the steamer surged past the Dartaway. As she glided by the boys could see, leaning over the rail, a group of men. Doubtless they wondered what venturesome mariners these were, out so far at sea in a little craft.
“Hold hard!” cried Sam.
He spoke only just in time, for the Dartaway began to rock violently from the wash of the steamer’s propellors. The boys clung to the awning stanchions or they might have been flung overboard.