“They are signalling to each other, madam.”
“Oh, I know that. But what are they signalling?”
“I don’t know, madam.”
“Oh, see! see!” cried the Indianapolis girl, clapping her hands with delight. “The other steamer is turning round.”
It was indeed so. The great ship was thrashing the water with her screw, and gradually the masts came in line and then her prow faced the east again. When this had been slowly accomplished the bell on the Adamant rang full speed ahead, and then the captain came slowly down the ladder that led from the bridge.
“Oh, captain, what does it all mean?”
“Is she going back, captain? Nothing wrong, I hope.”
“What ship is it, captain?”
“She belongs to our line, doesn’t she?”
“Why is she going back?”