“I guess I have only one lantern that’s strong enough to be seen at a distance,” responded the mariner.
“Well! if you have some kerosene oil and an old broom that you don’t mind being burned up?”
“Hurrah! we’ll furnish you with that,” cried the girls, all eager for the exhibition.
And, now, the Boy Scouts had their innings so far as a “showing-off stunt” was concerned.
Scaling a very high rock whose base was laved by the tide, pushing the corn broom for a burnt offering before him, Ken drew up the lantern and oil-can shoved aloft by the captain.
A ring of excited girls, with their Guardian, scattered to a little distance whence they could have a good view of the signaling Scout and his performance.
One minute, and the oil-soaked broom flamed, its blaze streaming forth, a mighty flare-up, to be seen miles off!
The Scout waved the burning besom to and fro, making strange, mysterious passes with it, before attempting to signal a message. “If I can only get their attention at our camp!” he muttered yearningly.
There were a few very anxious moments.
Then Captain Andy roared up to the signalman: