The Motor Boys Bound for Home

now almost complete darkness, waiting near t

t?" asked Ned Sla

red Jerry. "Do

an we'll sink sooner or later? And I haven't noticed any

use starting another near-panic by scattering that word broadcast. If we

going to procee

lp and be towed back to port," w

But[69] say, isn't it bad luck to have to

!" declared Jerry, with a trace of mirth-just a faint trace, for the s

ere's something in

got anything to eat?" he demanded, still speaking in a whis

tones. "What do you think we a

ts of times they forget to provision the boats when they abandon ship in a hurry. Chocolate is nourish

manded the tall lad,

er take this when you can get it. That cake o

l,[70] you aren't so bad at that, Chunky. It

stood waiting for the next devel

with the captain of the Sherman there was a tense period for

s thought. The transport is disabled, and will not be able to proceed under her own power-at least, not until

ow that seems hard," he said quickly; "but it is better than sinki

n a short time. Then, in another day, or, at most, two, we should receive help. So make the best of a bad situation. You will presently be ordered back to your sleeping quarters, f

thers may go back to bed. I regret this occurrence, but you, who have fought in

nel!" called some one, and

lse demanded, and the tribute to the commande

or quick transfer to the small craft went on in orderly fashion, though not so quickl

ed to settle down over the ship. The list had been corrected somewhat, though in what manner the three friends did not know, and the Sherman

7

ow about old pepper-pot?" asked Ned of his c

ying he had anything to do with the explosion of the boiler. But later on, if anything should come u

hours of rest in what remained of the night whe

morning, as he made about the only kind o

some eats, and then we'll report to our captain

y their usual daily ration, Ned seemed

nother explosio

he crackle of the wireless

is silent,"

7

or help, have received an answer, and now the

hat he was deeply silent during mess. And as soon a

ain first," suggested Jer

declared. "I want to find out

" aske

"I want to see if we've had an

ething unusual had taken place. There was a group of officers-both those of the ship and those in comm

y?" asked Ned of

the answer. "But I think

y messages asking for

not sure. Here comes m

7

nfidences, and then the Mot

he turned away from where he had

what?" as

The storage battery short-circuited, the auxiliary dyn

out an S. O. S. call," sugges

replied Ned, "but the apparatus went fl

tough luck!"

message asking for help, and even though our position wasn't given, it can be pretty well guessed. They

at, and that's something. Now then, let's go to see our captain, or the first lieute

7

and while they were inquiring they stood near a cabin t

g when two marines, with rifles and fixed bayonets, came swinging along the passage. They halted in front o

til relieved. Let no one go in or come out without written

rned to speak to the three friends while they, in turn, gaze