"Get that out, Sparks," he said, and the operator turned swiftly to his
instrument and fitted on his cap and "earlaps" again. At least, Rose
said they were "earlaps."

"Can't we help that schooner?" asked Russ of the quartermaster.

"They don't need us to help them. Only to send a message," was the
reply, as the wireless spark began to crackle again. "We are telling the
Government about her plight and a revenue cutter will be sent out to tow
the schooner into some near port. She has drifted a good way off shore,
but the weather is settled and there is nothing to fear."

In a few moments the operator had sent the message and got a reply.

"Right out of the air," breathed Rose wonderingly. "I think that is very
funny, Russ. If that mast isn't exactly wireless, it is almost wireless.
Anyway, the wires aren't long enough to take much of a message, I should
think."

This was a mystery that Russ could not expound, so they went to hunt up
Daddy Bunker for further information regarding the wonder of the
wireless service. The other four little Bunkers were already greatly
interested in the deeply rolling lumber schooner.

After more signals with flags had been exchanged between the steamship
the children were on and the schooner, the former picked up speed again.
Soon the masts of the schooner were almost out of sight; but the little
Bunkers continued to discuss the strange incident.

"I wish we could have put out boats and saved them," said Rose. "Like a