Jack.

"Mr. Templeton," he cried, "you go below and tell my wireless operator
to pick up the cruiser Pioneer. You tell him I said not to stop
trying, or I'll be down and attend to him myself."

Jack hurried away to obey the command.

Frank approached Captain Stoneman.

"Can I be of any assistance, sir?" he asked.

The captain glared at him angrily. "No," he shouted; then added:
"Yes. You stand at the hatchway there and don't you let either of
those women come on deck. If you do, I'll toss you overboard."

Frank went to his post.

So far there had been nothing to indicate that the approaching ship was
other than a peaceful vessel. She had, so far as Captain Stoneman
knew, made no effort to pick up the Algonquin with her wireless.

"I wonder," said Captain Stoneman to himself, "whether that pirate is
going to blow me up without warning, or whether that wireless operator
of mine has gone to bed? I'll go down and find out."

He ordered his first officer away from the gun aft to take the bridge
and ran below to the wireless room.

"Any message from the ship ahead?" he demanded.