[CHAPTER VI—A DARING FEAT]
Out along the wet and slippery decks, spray-dashed and awash, rushed the boy. He was headed for the bridge. He found the first officer, Mr. Metcalf, on duty.
The officer was shrouded in gleaming oil-skins and sou’wester. Spray glistened on his cheeks and big mustache as the dim light from the binnacle revealed his features. Ahead of them Jack could make out dimly the big, plunging forepart of the ship as it rushed up a water mountain with glowing phosphorescent head, and then with a swirling roar went sliding down the other side.
“Well, Ready, what’s the trouble?” boomed out Mr. Metcalf good-naturedly. “You seem excited.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve just had a message.”
The officer was alert in a moment.
“A vessel in distress?”
“No, sir. Although——”
“Well, well, be quick. On a night like this any call may be urgent.”
“This was from a yacht. The Endymion, she said her name was.”