“Yes, about the only cool ones on board are the Americans and the English,” declared Bill. “I heard to-day that a party of American millionaires got together in the smoking room and laid plans to make an offer to buy the ship and run her across anyhow.”
“That sounds like the American spirit all right,” chuckled Jack. “What became of the idea?”
“The captain told them the ship was not for sale,” said Bill, “even if they offered to throw in the millions in the specie room.”
Jack found Captain Rollok and his officers in anxious consultation in the former’s cabin.
“Ha, so you haf the news, is it?” demanded the captain, as Jack entered.
“Yes, and not very good news, I’m sorry to say,” said Jack. “The Caledonian has just been telling the Mersey that there are icebergs ahead.”
The officers exchanged glances. They all looked at the captain. Evidently some orders were expected, with the greatest peril the sea holds lying ahead of the racing vessel.
One of them,—Second Officer Muller, who had the watch,—put his anxiety into words.
“Is it that you will change the course or reduce speed, Captain?” he inquired.
The big, bearded captain turned on him like a flash. He raised his massive fist and brought it down on the table with a crash that bade fair to split the wood.