The Radio Boys in the Thousand Islands | Page 8

strong
current is driven through its middle by the flood of the upper lakes after
its plunge over Niagara Falls, and along the shores is a back-sweep of
eddies and swirls. Hence the pilots and shippers of small boats on the
lake, if they are wise, keep their weather eyes well peeled for any
disturbance that may augment the natural roughness of this body of
water.
Mr. Perry and his three boy companions were all well aware of the
wisdom of weather caution while cruising in the Catwhisker. In the
morning before starting, they had consulted the Government forecast
and found the outlook favorable, but they were well aware of the fact
that absolute dependence should not be put upon even so learned a
being as a Great Lakes weather man.
Bud made the first score in the frequent attempts to get a message to
the "island prisoner". Conditions in the ether became much better
toward evening when a cool wind began to blow. Just before sending
the message that reached its goal, Bud received the following from
VAX:
"Where are you? Can't you reach me? Nobody in sight yet. Ate my last
crust of bread an hour ago. Have to drink lake water to keep alive. Try
again to get a message to me."
Bud tried again and received the following reply:
"Got you faintly. Try again. Where are you?"
But fifteen minutes elapsed before the boy at the key was able to score

again. After that, however, they had no difficulty in reaching "Crusoe
island" with key and spark.
Then arose the question as to whether they should attempt to find the
"radio Crusoe's" island that evening or should seek a suitable mooring
place and postpone the search until morning.
"There's one matter to be taken up before we decide to go much further
to-night," said Mr. Perry, who had just turned the wheel over to Hal and
joined the conference in the cabin.
"What's that?" asked Cub.
"The weather. We're right at the beginning of the Thousand Isles now,
but we can have a nasty time of it anywhere in the upper part of the
river in a storm. The wind is getting pretty lively, and you know how
much the temperature has dropped."
"Oh, I can take care of that," Bud declared eagerly. "I've been having a
chat with a 'ham' somewhere along the coast. I'm sure he'll get the
evening forecast for me."
As he spoke, Bud dropped his eye on the log where he had made note
of the shore "ham's" call and then began to tune for his wave length. To
his gratification, he found the fellow busy with his spark and waited till
the message was finished; then he threw his aerial switch into sending
and lettered the call. The "ham" answered and asked what was wanted.
"I want the weather forecast for to-night," Bud replied. "We're out in a
motor boat and want to know if it's safe to stay out till dark."
"I'll get the latest by telephone and call you back in a few minutes," was
the operator's generous offer.
Ten minutes later the promised call came, thus:
"Clear to-night. Wind brisk, but not violent."
Cub was listening-in and read this message to his father.

"That means we can go on nearly three hours yet before we have to
seek a post for the night," the latter announced.
"Good!" exclaimed Cub. "Now I'm going to test that radio compass and
see what may be expected of it in the morning if we don't find Mr.
Crusoe to-night, which isn't very likely."
Preparation for the test was simple and quickly made. The loop aerial, a
collapsible affair, was set up in the cabin and connected in such manner
that it could be used for receiving simultaneously with the use of the
outside aerial for sending.
While Cub was thus occupied, Mr. Perry set a hasty supper of prepared
foods on the table and "ate a bite". Then he returned to the chart and
wheel house and relieved Hal, sending the latter back to the cabin for
his meal and for further radio consultation with the other boys.
CHAPTER V
A Baffling Situation
The compass worked admirably. Although the principle of the affair
was very simple, Hal must be given credit for having done his work
well.
So satisfactory did the device prove from the moment when it began to
take messages from the "island prisoner", that all on board the
Catwhisker became hopeful of success before sun-down. "V A X" kept
a stream of waves leaping from his aerial for their guidance and the
motor boat chug-chugged along like a hunting hound made more and
more eager by the increasing excitement of the hunt.
"I wonder what's become of the fellow who