“WNA de KWD,” came the reply. “We must be about abreast of Cape Fear. Your signals are very weak.”
“We don’t need to worry about the _Antilla_, then,” said Roy to himself. “Cape Fear must be at least 175 miles south of us.”
Again Roy sent a call flashing from his instrument. “KVG--KVG--KVG de WNA.”
The _Algonquin_ answered promptly. The signals were very faint. “WNA de KVG. What do you want?”
“Where are you?” repeated Roy. “We’re off Hatteras.”
“We touched at Bermuda and left there three hours ago.”
“Good!” muttered Roy. “That’s another one out of the road.”
Again he consulted his list and sent forth a call. “KFA--KFA--KFA de WNA.”
The answer came sharp and clear. “WNA de KFA. Go ahead.”
“Lost in the fog,” replied the operator on the _City of Columbus_. “I don’t know where we are. We ought to be off Hatteras. Where are you?”
The _Alabama_ did not answer Roy’s call, and he could get neither of the south-bound ships ahead of the _Lycoming_. But the _Merrimack_ replied so sharply that she was quite evidently near at hand.
Roy picked up his telephone and called the captain. No answer came. Again and again Roy called. Evidently the telephone was out of order. Roy snatched on his raincoat and cap and rushed through the rain for the bridge. Both the captain and Mr. Young were on duty. Roy thanked his lucky stars that the first officer was there. Going close to him and cupping his hands about his mouth, Roy shouted in the big mate’s ear, “_City of Columbus_ and _Merrimack_ near us. Been talking to both. They’re looking for us.”
The first officer nodded and crossed the bridge to repeat Roy’s report to the captain. Roy waited lest the captain should have an order. The latter merely nodded at the mate and peered into the storm again. Roy went back to the wireless house, clutching a hand-rail and staggering under the wind. He noticed that the ship was moving at half speed.
Again he called the _City of Columbus_. The reply seemed no sharper than before. But when he signaled the _Merrimack_, the answer fairly crackled in his ears. Evidently the two boats were much nearer to one another.
Roy’s heart began to pound furiously. Were the two ships about to collide? Was there anything he could do to prevent it? What should he do if they did? Sound the SOS of course and keep sending it until he sank. That was his duty. He set his teeth. “I’ll do it,” he muttered. “But there mustn’t be any collision. We must prevent it. But how?”