The latter said nothing. Sullenly he picked up a pen and made the entry. But if black looks could have killed anybody, both Henry and the chief electrician would have dropped dead in their tracks. Before the young radio man had finished writing, another message came crackling aboard: “Will meet you sixty-seven west, forty-two north.”
CHAPTER VII
A TRAMP OF THE SEAS
Immediately Henry made his way to the A captain’s cabin again. He handed a copy of the despatch to the commander.
“Thank you,” said Captain Hardwick. Glancing at the message, he muttered his approval. Just then the chief engineer, whom the commander had summoned, came into the cabin.
“Mr. Farley,” said the commander, “there’s a tramp a little farther up the coast that just sent us a wireless for a doctor. Mate’s sick. We’ve told her where to meet us. It will take several hours to reach her. We’re making about twelve knots, aren’t we? Suppose you push her up to top speed, fifteen knots. We can slow down again after the doctor has seen the sick man.”
“Very well, sir.” And the chief engineer withdrew.
At once the captain went to the chart-room. Lieutenant Hill was on duty. Together they figured out the new course and gave the direction to the helmsman, who brought the ship about. Meantime the vibration of the ship became more noticeable, and the grinding noise of her machinery grew louder. She began to forge ahead faster and faster. Soon she was throwing up a big bow wave and plunging through the seas at a fast pace.
Although the wind had abated and the seas were greatly lessened, the Iroquois rolled more than she had rolled before, even when the wind was at its worst. That was because the ship was now running almost in the trough of the seas, whereas during the trip up the Gulf Stream both wind and seas had been almost dead astern.
For a time Henry stood on the bridge, watching the clear and sparkling sea. The quartermaster, Mr. Andrews, was also on watch, with the lieutenant. Henry was much drawn to the quartermaster. He was a young fellow not many years older than Henry himself. He had a fine fresh face, and his eye was alight with ambition. His every movement suggested strength and energy and determination. As the ship’s bell struck the hour, he said: “I must look at the log. Would you like to come with me?”
“Sure,” said Henry, and the two slipped down the ladder to the deck and skipped aft. Henry was getting his sea-legs fast.