Then how fast Joe Dawson managed to talk up through the speaking tube! Tom Halstead, after first announcing the great news to the deck with a wild cheer, put Hank at the wheel and hurried below. Shortly, however, the young skipper was back on deck, bearing the wonderful news.
In smooth weather the Havana liner, ordinarily a fifteen-knot boat, would have reached them in two hours. Under the weather conditions of this wild night it was much later when the two craft were within hailing distance by signal lights. Hank was now in command of the deck, Skipper Tom and Powell Seaton being with Joe.
“Shall we try to send you a line for a tow?” came the demand from the liner.
“Yes,” replied Halstead. Then, with a grimace he added:
“But the salvage charge for such a tow will call for more than we can raise, Joe, old fellow. I reckon the ‘Restless’ will have to be put up for sale to pay her own bills.”
“Do you think I’d let you boys stand the towing charges?” demanded Powell Seaton, indignantly. “Whatever charges there are are mine to pay, and I’m at least good for the entire purchase price of a few boats like even this good little old salt water wizard!” 223
Tom soon afterwards made his way to the deck, but Mr. Seaton, weak and almost ill after the hours of anxiety, threw himself upon a cushioned seat near the wireless sending table.
As Tom stood on the bridge deck he studied the liner’s lights as that larger craft manœuvred in to the leeward of the motor craft.
Once she had gained this position at a sufficient distance to make any collision on this wild sea unlikely, the liner steamed ahead.
“Stand ready to receive our line!” came to Joe in clicks through the watch-case receivers over either ear. He swiftly transmitted the order through the speaking tube to Halstead on the bridge.