“Whee-e!” it shrieked, high, penetrating and alarming.
I jumped up, pulled out the stopper and put in the mouth-piece.
“Hello!”
“Two points from starboard a white light!”
I grabbed my cap and gloves and rushed sternward through the deck officer’s room, petty officer’s room, and crew-room, each one narrower than the other.
“Look out, the commander!” they shouted to one another, and pulled in their legs so that I could get by.
“Ouch!” I bumped my head hard against the stand of an electric lamp. I rubbed the sore spot as I hurried ahead, while I took an oath to myself that the lamp should be moved at the first possible opportunity. I hurried through the “Centrale,” up the narrow stairway. Then I reached my place.
“Where?”
“There!” Lieutenant Gröning, who was on guard, pointed out. “About three points starboard!”
“It is a steamer. One can already see the red side lantern. It is crossing our course.”