The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner

by John Henry Goldfrap

  "'I shall keep oop till der storm dies oudt,' he saidt, undt I shallnefer forget his voice as he saidt dot. 'I must see vot ship dot vos dotdrove ashore.'

  "Suddenly, above us, ve heardt a terrible noise as if der lighdthousevos peing torn to bits. Idt came from der oopper pardt of der tower. Irushed to der foot of der steps undt vos medt py a rush of vater.

  "As idt swept py me idt almost knocked me off my feedt! Righdt avay Iknow vot hadt happened. A big vave hadt smashed in der light, or morelikely a big rock, hurled py der vave, hadt done der damage.

  "Midt oldt man Abbott close behindt me, I fought my vay oop der steps.

  "Himmel! I nefer forget vot ve findt!

  "Der whole top of der lantern, idt hadt been cut off as if py a knife!Only ragged edges of stone showed vhere idt hadt been. Der lighdthousevos no longer a lighdthouse, undt vos of no goodt to varn ships of derdanger.

  "As ve stoodt dere annuder big vave come sweeping ofer undt half drownedus. A big rock just missed mein headt, undt der vater go pouring downder stairs like a cascade.

  "'Ve must go pelow undt shut der door at der bottom of der stairs,' Isay; 'uddervise ve pe drowned oudt.'

  "Der oldt man nodded as if he only half understoodt.

  "'Yah, yah; drowned, drowned, drowned,' he saidt to himself; 'drownedlike der poor folk on der wreck.'

  "I got him down der stairs pefore annuder big vave come, undt den shutder door so dot no more big vaves come into der room. Budt der place vosa sight! Dere vos six inches of vater in dere vich hadn't flowed oudtunter der door. Budt liddle by liddle idt drained oudt.

  "No more big vaves come. Idt look as if der storm, hafing wrecked derlighdthouse, vos content to lie down undt pe quiet for a vhile. Bimeby,ven der vind drop, I go out py der boiler house.

  "Idt hadt gone! Vere idt hadt stood dere vos nudding! Dose vaves hadttaken idt off der rock as if idt hadt been a shellfish!

  "'Ach, dis is badt,' I say to meinself. 'Der lighdthouse is wrecked undtI lose my yob!'

  "Der storm died down fast, undt py der time idt vos daylighdt, derebeing nuddings to do budt to sit round undt vait for der supply boat tocome back, I dropped off into a soundt sleep. I vakened oop an hour ortwo later. Der kitchen vere ve hadt been sitting vos empty. I vent upinto der ruins of der lamp, budt oldt man Abbott vos not dere eidder.

  "I call for him budt dere comes no answer. Den I go oudtside on der rockundt I findt him. He is lying very still on der edge of der vater. Closepy him is a big log vich look like part of der spar of a ship. Preddysoon I see dat dere is someting on der spar, undt I look undt see dotidt is a man. He is quite dead, dat I see by a look adt his face.

  "Den I look again. Undt den I see vy oldt man Abbott lies so still onder edge of der rock. Der face of der man on der spar vos der face ofhis son Harry! Undt oldt man Abbott is deadt.

  "Der ship dot der oldt man, in some mysterious vay, heardt drive to herdeath on der rocks, vos his son's ship, der vun on vich he vos makinghis homevard voyage. Vell, for a day I stay on der rock midt der deadfadder undt der deadt son, undt den der relief ship come. Dey bury deroldt man undt der boy side py side der next day, undt I leave dot partof der country; undt since den I nefer see a lighdthouse budt I dink ofoldt man Abbott undt der homevard bound son he never saw."

  Not long after the conclusion of the old sailor's story, which left himglum and taciturn, the white spiral of the Sombrero Island Light cameinto view, sticking up like a finger on the sandy islet whose name itbore. As they drew closer, Jack could make out a solitary figure on thebeach. It was the light keeper, who was soon greeting them withheartfelt gratitude. He was probably a young man, but the anxiety he hadbeen through had aged him in a few nights.

  While the sailors were unloading the provisions and water, for drinkingwater on that desolate island could only be caught in tanks when itrained, Jack visited the other light keeper. He found him much betterthan he had been when the wireless message was sent out. In fact, aftersome of the remedies Dr. Flynn had sent had been administered, hedeclared he would be strong enough to go about his duty that night.

  The light keepers explained that they were doubly anxious for a sight ofthe relief ship, for her appearance meant that they would go on amonth's vacation, their places to be taken by two other men the reliefcraft was bringing out. Before they left the island, Jack had thesatisfaction of spying a distant sail on the horizon. The light keeper,who was up and about, scrutinized it through his glass. He broke into anexclamation of thankfulness the next minute.

  "It's the old _Solitaire_, sure enough!" he cried. "She must have beendelayed by storms."

  "Looks as if one of der top masdts, idt has been carried avay," declaredSchultz, who had borrowed the glass.

  "Is the _Solitaire_ the relief ship?" asked Jack.

  "Yes; the same old schooner that always comes. Oh, won't Barney be glad!It'll be better to him than medicine." And the keeper of the light rantoward the tower to tell his companion the good news.

  And so, as they rowed back to the ship, they left the light keepershappy, but nevertheless old Schultz shook his head as he spoke of them.

  "Aber, I'd radder pe a sea-cook dan a keeper py a lighdthouse," he saidwith deep conviction; and added, nodding his head solemnly, "I know."

  CHAPTER XXII

  A DECOY MESSAGE

  The following days passed quickly and pleasantly. The friendship betweenDe Garros and Jack ripened, being nourished, of course, by their mutualinterest in wireless, of which De Garros was a capable exponent. He didnot revert again to the subject of any previous acquaintance withJarrold and his niece and, seeing his reticence concerning it, Jackavoided the topic.

  At last Jamaica was sighted on the horizon. Some hours later they weresteaming through a deep blue sea along brilliantly green shores, abovewhich rose rugged peaks and mountains. Jack and Sam gazed with delightat the scene as it unrolled.

  The big steamer slowly rounded the long, sandy arm of Port Royal andtook on the black pilot. Then she proceeded up the harbor, following atwisted, tortuous channel, past mangrove swamps, ruined batteries andrankly growing royal palms.

  As soon as the ship had docked, Jack and Sam both received leave to goashore. As may be imagined, they did not waste much time onpreparations, but were on the deck almost as soon as the gang-plank wasdown. Most of the passengers followed their example, and as but few ofthe ship's company were leaving the _Tropic Queen_ at Kingston, thequaint town, with its cement stores and hotels, its dusty streets andswarming negroes, was soon thronged with sightseers.

  Jack and Sam chartered one of the hacks that are everywhere present inthe town, and ordered the driver to show them about the city. They foundthat while the main town was businesslike and substantial with itsconcrete structures and stores, the back streets still showed abundantevidences of the earthquake, which some years ago shook down most of thecity and caused a tremendous loss of life.

  Some of the houses looked as if they had been shell-ridden. The roofshad fallen in, showing the bare rafters. Walls were cracked, and in someplaces the entire front was out of a house, revealing the interior ofthe bare rooms.

  "I don't see very much that is interesting here," said Jack at length."Suppose we go back to the hotel that was recommended to us?"

  "I'm agreeable," said Sam. "So far, my chief impression of Kingston isdust and noisy niggers."

  The order was given to the black driver, and they were soon rolling backto the hotel that Jack had mentioned. It was a picturesque structure inthe Spanish style of architecture, which harmonized well with the tropicgardens surrounding it. Passing through the lobby, where they stopped tobuy postcards, the boys found themselves in a palm grove facing the bluewaters of the harbor.

  A delightful breeze rustled through the palms and the boys contentedlythrew themselves into chairs and ordered two lemonades. They sipped themslowly while they enjoyed the view and the shade. Many others from theship had found their way there, too. Among them was Colonel Minturn witha party of friends.
/>
  He passed the boys with a friendly nod. He had hardly gone by, whenJack, who had happened to look around, gave a start.

  Standing behind a palm and watching the Minturn party intently, wasJarrold. The trunk of the tree afforded him ample protection from theobservation of the man he was watching with an unwavering scrutiny.

  Apparently he had not seen the boys. Jack nudged Sam and gave him awhispered warning not to turn around.

  "Jarrold is there, watching Colonel Minturn. He is plotting somemischief. I am sure of it."

  "Wherever he is, there is trouble," agreed Sam.

  "That's just where you are right," replied Jack.

  "Is his pretty niece with him?" inquired Jack's companion.

  "I don't see her. By the way, I wonder where De Garros met them. Queerthat, although they know each other, as De Garros admits, they neverspeak."

  "They probably met abroad somewhere," hazarded Sam.

  "I suppose so," was the reply, and then the talk drifted to othersubjects. But Jack had shifted his chair so as to watch Jarrold withoutappearing to do so. Before long, the man turned and strolled in thedirection of a terrace which opened on the palm garden.

  Jack half rose from his chair as if he intended to follow him.

  "What's the trouble?" asked Sam.

  "I don't mean to let Jarrold out of my sight, that's all," said Jack."But look! He has stopped. He is talking to someone. That chap in a sunhelmet. I can't see his face, but somehow he looks mighty familiar tome."

  The young man who had joined Jarrold strolled along the terrace with himtill they both found chairs. Then they sat down and seemed to be engagedin earnest conversation. The stranger, who yet seemed familiar to Jack,had his back turned to them so that it was impossible to see hisfeatures.

  At length they arose, shook hands as if they had come to an agreement onsome matter, and parted. Jarrold came into the garden and took a seat ata table. He scowled heavily at the boys as he passed them, but gave noother sign of recognition. Suddenly Jack rose to his feet.

  "I'm a fine chump!" he exclaimed. "I ought to have brought my cameraalong. Hanged if I didn't forget it!"

  "Why don't you go back to the ship for it?" asked Sam. "It's not veryfar. You can get there and back in twenty minutes or less if you drive."

  "That part of it is all right. But I hate to leave His Nibs, there,unwatched."

  "Oh, as for that, I'll take care of him till you get back," Sampromised.

  "Bully for you! Then I'll go. And say----"

  But at that moment a page came into the garden. He was calling for "Mr.Ready."

  "Means me, I guess," laughed Jack, "although it sounds new to be called'Mr. Ready.' What do you want?" he asked, stopping the boy.

  "You are Mr. Ready? All right then, there's a telephone message for you.You're wanted back on the ship as soon as possible."

  "That's a funny coincidence," murmured Jack; "just as I was ready to go,too."

  As the page hurried off, Jack turned to Sam:

  "I can't think what they can want me for; still, orders are orders. Youstay here and watch His Nibs yonder, then, Sam, till I get back. If hegoes anywhere, follow him, but don't take any chances. He's got no greatlove for either of us, I fancy."

  "Well, I guess not, after the pummeling you gave him," laughed Sam.

  Jack hurried off. Orders were orders, and although he could not imaginewhat he could be wanted for on board the _Tropic Queen_, he knew that itwas his duty to obey at once. But, to his astonishment, when he reachedthe ship he found that there had been no message for him so far asanybody knew. All the ship's officers were ashore and the ship deserted,except for the crew unloading the bulky cargo, while black stevedoressung and swore and steam winches rattled and roared to the accompanimentof the harsh screaming of the bos'n's pipe.

  A good deal puzzled, Jack was retracing his steps to the hotel and thepleasant coolness of the garden, when he was suddenly accosted by ayoung man who stepped from around the corner of a building.

  "Hello there, Jack Ready! Well, if I'm not glad to see you!"

  It was Ralph Cummings, the operator whose place had been taken by SamSmalley on Jack's recommendation.

  CHAPTER XXIII

  FALSE FRIENDSHIP

  Jack had no great liking for Cummings. In fact, at the time the latterlost his job on the _Tropic Queen_, he had left in a rage, swearing thathe would "get even."

  But now he held out his hand with a frank smile, or one that wasintended to be frank but was not, for Cummings hadn't that kind of aface. He was about Jack's age, with sandy hair, low, rather recedingforehead and shifty, light eyes that had a habit of looking on theground when he spoke.

  "Well, well, Ready," he exclaimed. "It's good to see a face from home."

  "Thanks," said Jack, "but if I recollect rightly you were not so crazyabout seeing me again, the last time we met."

  He instinctively distrusted this fellow. There was something assumed,something that did not ring true about his apparent heartiness.

  "Oh, come now, Ready, here we are thousands of miles from home andyou're still holding that old grudge against me! Shake hands, man, andforget it."

  Jack began to feel rather ashamed of his brusqueness. After all,Cummings might be more unfortunate in manner than intentionallyunpleasant.

  "That's all right, Cummings," he said, extending his hand. "I'm glad tosee you, too. Here on a ship?"

  "Yes, a small one, though. Not a liner like the _Tropic Queen_, but itwas the best I could get."

  Jack felt a twinge of remorse. Cummings said this uncomplainingly andyet with an emphasis that made Jack feel uncomfortable. The man wasincompetent, it was true, but still, Jack almost began to think that heought to have given him another chance.

  "When did you get in?" pursued Cummings.

  "This morning. We'll lie here two days, I guess. We've got a big cargo."

  "Is that so? Well, I hope we'll see a lot of each other."

  "I hope so, too," said Jack, without, however, very much cordiality.

  "Well, come and have a drink before you go," suggested Cummings.

  "Thanks, but I never drink. I think it would be better for you, too,Cummings, if you did not touch liquor."

  "Oh, I didn't mean that. I wanted you to try some cola. It's a nativedrink. They make it here. It's very cool and nice."

  Jack had been walking fast and was hot. The idea appealed to histhirsty, dust-filled throat.

  "All right, Cummings. Where do you go?" he said.

  "Down here. We could get it at a soda fountain in the drug store yonder;but it's better in the native quarter right down this street."

  He motioned down the side street from which he had emerged when Jackencountered him.

  "All right; but I can't stay long. I've got a friend waiting for me."

  "That's all right," Cummings assured him. "It's not more than a blockand you can take a short cut back to the hotel to save time."

  They walked down a curious narrow street with high-walled gardens oneither side. Over the tops of the walls, in some places, great creepersstraggled, spangled with gorgeous red and purple flowers. In otherspots, drooping above the walls could be seen the giant fronds of bananaplants, or tenuous palm tree tops.

  Cummings stopped in front of a plaster house, badly cracked by theearthquake.

  "Right in here," he said.

  Jack followed him into the dark, cool interior. After the blinding glareof the sun outside, it was hard at first to make out the surroundings.But Jack's eyes soon became accustomed to the gloom, and he saw thatthey were in a small room with a polished floor and that two or threechairs and tables were scattered about.

  An old negro woman of hideous appearance, with one eye and two solitaryteeth gleaming out of her sooty, black face, shuffled in. She wore acalico dress and a red bandana handkerchief and was smoking a home-madecigar.

  Cummings, who seemed quite at home in the place, greeted her as MotherJenny. He ordered "two colas."

 
"Great place this, eh?" said Cummings with easy familiarity, leaningback. "You know I've made several voyages to the tropics, and when I'min Kingston I always like to come in here. There's a sort of local colorabout it."

  "And a lot of local dirt, too," commented Jack, rather disgustedlysniffing at the atmosphere, which was an odd combination of staletobacco smoke, mustiness and a peculiar odor inseparable from the nativequarters of tropical cities.

  However, the cola, when it arrived, quite made up for all thesedeficiencies. It was served in carved calabashes and tasted like a sortof sublimated soda pop.

  "Great stuff, eh?" said Cummings, gulping his with great relish.

  "It is good," admitted Jack. "You'd be a lot better off, Cummings, ifyou only drank this sort of stuff."

  "Now don't preach, Ready," was the rejoinder. "You can't be a man andnot drink liquor."

  "That might have been true a hundred years ago, but it certainly isn'tto-day," retorted Jack. "The great corporations won't hire men whodrink. It's gone out of date. The man who drinks is putting himself onthe toboggan slide."

  "Say, you ought to have been in the Salvation Army," said Cummings, withwhat amounted to a veiled sneer.

  Strangely enough Jack did not resent this. His head felt very heavysuddenly. The bright patch of sunlight outside began to sway and waverqueerly.

  "I--I don't feel very well," he said presently in a feeble tone.

  "Must be the sun," said Cummings. "I'd better call a hack and take youto the hotel. The sun often effects newcomers like that."