“Young Higgins has developed into a very competent operator, sir,� he ventured. “I know that the wireless would be safe in his hands till I got back.�
“You can guarantee that, Ready?� asked Captain Simms, giving the boy one of his quick glances.
“Yes, sir. I’ll answer for him.�
The captain tugged his gray mustaches, a way he had when considering a question. Jack watched him eagerly.
“Well, then, I suppose I’ll have to give you my permission to go, Ready,� he said at length. “You can take your portable wireless with you and keep in constant communication with the Thespis. I will detail Sherry and Merryweather to go with you. The prospects are all for fine weather and I shall expect you back to-morrow.�
“Aye, aye, sir,� choked out Jack, saluting respectfully and restraining himself with difficulty from uttering a shout of joy. And so it came about that we find the gasolene tender of the Thespis racing northward.
“Take the wheel, Merryweather, while I send a message,� said Jack presently, and as the seaman gripped the spokes of the wheel, the lad hoisted his aërials aloft on the tender’s single military mast. They were not long enough for sending messages a great distance. But for communication with the Thespis they answered admirably. Jack reported “Progress and all O.K.�
They took turns at eating supper and all devoured their food with ravenous appetites. By his portable wireless, Jack had instructed young Higgins to tell the castaways, to hang out a lantern that night so that if they approached the island in the darkness they could lie off till daybreak and not tempt fate by venturing among unknown waters, for the charts did not bother to give soundings round such a seldom visited speck of land as Skull Island.
As it grew dusk and night began to close in, old Matt Sherry came forward and spoke to Jack.
“I don’t like the look of the weather,� he said.