Russ and Rose were quite excited. They stepped up into the doorway
beside the wireless operator. They both saw at once the two-masted
vessel that was rolling sluggishly in the sea. Her rail seemed almost
level with the water and from one of the masts several flags were
strung.

"What is it?" cried Russ. "That ship looks as though it was going
down."

"I guess you've hit it right. She does look so," said the operator. "She
has sprung a leak, sure enough. And she's set distress signals."

"Those flags?" asked Russ. "Do those flags say she is sinking?"

"Those flags ask for help. That schooner doesn't carry a wireless outfit
as this vessel does. Few small vessels do. I guess we will have to help
her out," said the wireless operator.




CHAPTER VIII

A GREAT DEAL OF EXCITEMENT


Russ and Rose Bunker were very much excited by the discovery of the
schooner in distress. They were actually afraid that the vessel was
going to sink in the ocean right before their eyes!