Титаник

           Then,havinggiveninstructionsthatthewholeoftheavailableengine-powerwastobeturnedtopumpingtheship,hehurriedaftalongtheboat-decktotheMarconiroom.Phillipswassittingathiskey,toilingthroughroutinebusiness;Bride,whohadjustgotuptorelievehim,wassleepilymakingpreparationstotakehisplace.TheCaptainputhisheadinatthedoor.

           “Wehavestruckaniceberg,”hesaid,“andIamhavinganinspectionmadetotellwhatithasdoneforus.Bettergetreadytosendoutacallforassistance,butdon’tsendituntilItellyou.”

           Hehurriedawayagain;inafewminutesheputhisheadinatthedooragain;“Sendthatcallforassistance,”hesaid.

           “WhatcallshallIsend?”askedPhillips.

           “Theregulationinternationalcallforhelp,justthat,”saidtheCaptain,andwasgoneagain.

           Butinfiveminuteshecamebackintothewirelessroom,thistimeapparentlynotinsuchahurry.“Whatcallareyousending?”heasked;andwhenPhillipstoldhim“C.Q.D.,”thehighlytechnicalandefficientBridesuggested,laughingly,thatheshouldsend“S.O.S.,”thenewinternationalcallforassistancewhichhassupersededtheC.Q.D.“Itisthenewcall,”saidBride,“anditmaybeyourlastchancetosendit!”Andtheyallthreelaughed,andthenforamomentchattedaboutwhathadhappened,whilePhillipstappedoutthethreelongs,threeshorts,andthreelongswhichinstantaneouslysentamessageofappealflashingoutfarandwideintothedarknight