There was little for Jack to do under this "ukase" but to lean back restfully in his chair, with the receivers over his ears on the lookout for what might be coming through the air. He and Raynor chatted, discussing the wild flight of the "gold ship," intermittently, as the hours passed. But suddenly Jack became alert. Out in the dark, fog-ridden night, two ships were talking through the air. They were, as he learned after a moment of listening, the _Caledonian_ of the English Anchor Line and the _Mersey_, which also flew the British flag.
The young wireless man listened for a time and then "grounded" with a grave face.
"What's up now?" asked Raynor, noticing this. "If it's the cruisers, I don't mind, for only the Germans and Austrians would be held as prisoners. I'd kind of like to be 'captured,' as a novelty."
"This trouble's worse than cruisers," rejoined Jack, in sober tones.
"Icebergs at this time of the year?" asked Bill, incredulously, for bergs are rare in August on the usual steamer lanes, though occasionally seen.
"That's what," rejoined Jack; "the _Caledonian_ was telling the _Mersey_. She says they are sown thick to the northwest of us. You've got to remember that we're a long way to the north of the usual steamer tracks now, so it's not surprising that the 'growlers' are about."
"No, but it's mighty unpleasant," said Raynor. "What are you going to do?"
"Tell the captain about it at once," said Jack, decisively, rising and putting on his cap.
"I hope he puts on the brakes when he hears about it," commented Bill. "I'm not particularly nervous, but going full speed ahead through the fog into a field of bergs doesn't just exactly feel good."
"I'm only glad that the passengers don't know about it," said Jack. "They're scary enough now. If they knew about the bergs, I firmly believe some of them would have to be put in strait jackets."
"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?"