In Search of El Dorado | Page 8

above. Then he ran across the
deck to the port side, and saw that all boats but one on that side were
also ready, while the last one was even at that moment being lowered to
the same level as the rest.
As Dick walked back to his station at the head of the ladder another
rocket went screaming its way aloft into the black sky, and with the
bursting of it the lad became conscious of the fact that the wireless was
no longer insistently clamouring; there were moments now when it
remained silent for quite a minute or more, followed by a few sharp
cracklings, and again silence. The Everest had evidently at last got into
touch with another ship and was exchanging confidences with her.
Dick began to feel cold up there on the promenade deck, and to
promote warmth, proceeded to walk briskly to and fro athwart the
broad space of deck abaft the long range of cabins. And as he did so, he
caught a momentary view of one of the quartermasters entering the
doorway which led toward the main companion-way, and, incidentally,
to the library, ladies' boudoir, grand saloon, and dining-hall. The man
held a small slip of paper in his hand, and Dick instantly surmised that
the slip might be a communication from either the captain or the chief
officer to the purser.
The lad paused in his walk, awaiting results. And they were not long in
coming, for a few minutes later the quartermaster emerged, quickly
followed by the purser, who, taking up a position midway between the
smoke-room and the block of cabins abaft it--which space Dick now
saw was occupied by several groups of men and women--cleared his
voice and then proclaimed in ringing accents:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this paper which I hold in my hand is a
message which has just been brought to me from Captain Prowse, and

it contains news which I am sure will be very welcome to you all. It is
to the effect that our wireless operator has succeeded in getting into
touch with the Bolivia and acquainting the captain of that vessel with
our somewhat unfortunate plight. The Bolivia, as some of you are
doubtless aware, is homeward bound, but upon learning the news of
our accident, her captain has unhesitatingly interrupted his voyage and
is at this moment heading for our position as rapidly as his powerful
engines will drive him. He expects to arrive alongside in about three
hours from now; you have therefore the assurance of perfect safety, let
what will happen. This is as gratifying news to Captain Prowse as I
expect it is to you; for I may now tell you that the Everest is much more
seriously damaged than we at first anticipated, and--purely as a
measure of precaution, I assure you--the captain, in consultation with
his officers, has decided temporarily to transfer all passengers to the
boats, thus ensuring their safety, whatever may happen to the ship. And
if the worst should come to the worst and the leak continue to gain
upon us, the Bolivia will receive you upon her arrival and convey you
to New York. It was in anticipation of some such contingency as this
that I advised you all, a little while ago, to change into warmer clothing,
and I am glad to see that you have taken my advice. A call for you to
enter the boats--women and children first--will shortly be made;
therefore, if any of you have any valuables in your cabins, let me advise
you to secure them at once. Several of you have deposited money and
jewels in my charge. I am now about to proceed to my office for the
purpose of delivering those deposits to their rightful owners; and I shall
be much obliged if you will all kindly bring your deposit notes with
you to facilitate the distribution."
And, so saying, the purser, cool and imperturbable as ever, bowed and
withdrew, his departure being instantly followed by a hurried rush of
the passengers to their cabins.
An interval of some twenty minutes now elapsed, during which nothing
particular happened, except that the second-class passengers began
again to emerge from their quarters in little groups and congregate
about the foot of the ladder, as though holding themselves in readiness
to obey an expected call. At regular intervals distress rockets continued

to be fired from the upper deck, each discharge being followed by a
little movement of restlessness on the part of the rapidly increasing
crowd, while Dick noticed that the ship's wireless was again insistently
calling. He also noticed that the burly man and a small group of kindred
spirits were quietly but unobtrusively edging their way through the
gathering crowd towards the foot of the ladder,