Belford summoned Black, who came into the radio shack, yawning. “I guess you’ll have to stand watch for a while, Black,” said Henry. “Things have got a little mixed up in the wireless house, but we’ll get them straightened out shortly. Suppose you stay until breakfast. That won’t be long. Then we can rearrange our watches.”
“That isn’t my regular watch,” said the young radio man, sullenly. “And why should you be telling me what to do, anyway? That’s up to Mr. Sharp.”
“But Mr. Sharp isn’t here,” replied Henry. “He went in one of the boats. I am working with you men. We’ve got to do the best we can under the circumstances. We’ll get things straightened out soon, and back in their old order.”
“And do you think I am going to take orders from you?” said the young operator, insolently.
Henry’s face flushed. An angry light leaped to his eyes, and his fist involuntarily clenched. But he took a grip on himself, and replied very slowly and deliberately: “It isn’t a question of taking orders, Black. The captain has asked me to work with you two men, and the three of us must pull together until we get the ship safe home. Aren’t you willing to do your share? Belford here has been working like a Trojan for I don’t know how many hours. He’s all worn out. We want you to take this trick. You’ll have to watch close, for there’ll likely be calls for us. Summon me at once if you hear our call.”
“I reckon I can answer a call as well as anybody on this boat,” growled the scowling radio man.
“See here, Black,” said Henry. “Why do you want to make trouble? We’re still at sea, and we’ve got some tall traveling to do before we are back safe in New York. We’ve all got to pull together. I’m not asking you to do this for me. It’s for the good of the ship.” And then, noting the sullen look in the lad’s eyes, Henry continued: “There’s one thing more. I’m acting under orders from the captain. He has ordered me to take charge of the wireless. My instructions are to let no one touch the key but myself. All I can do is to pass those orders along. If you hear a call for the Iroquois, waken me at once. I’ll answer it.”
Young Black mumbled an unwilling assent, and swore under his breath. Henry and the other radio man passed out of the shack to the stateroom. They noticed that the wind had decreased greatly.
Once in the stateroom, Henry turned to his companion. “What do you suppose ails that fellow, Black?”
“I don’t know. None of us can make him out. He’s been snappy and surly ever since he came aboard a few months ago. He’s lazy—too lazy to study and practice and become a really good operator. But he is quick and reads wireless calls very well. He spends most of his time smoking cigarettes and reading dime novels. He’s simply crazy to use the wireless. He thinks he’s a great operator. The chief electrician would be glad to let him practice under his own supervision, the way he does with me. But he doesn’t want either of us to send when he isn’t present. He’s afraid we might burn out something. I don’t want to knock Black, but I’d be afraid to have him monkey with any machine I was responsible for myself. He’s the most careless, reckless fellow I ever saw.”