Читать книгу The Young Wireless Operator—With the U. S. Secret Service. Winning his way in the Secret Service онлайн

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“Come to the gangway,” shouted the wireless man through his cupped hands.

There was a little commotion in the crowd on the pier, as the lad to whom the wireless man had called tried to force his way through the crowd toward the gangway. But he was so small, being scarcely larger than a boy, in fact, that he could hardly press forward through the crowd. The heavy suit case he carried made it all the more difficult for him. While the lad was still struggling toward the gangplank, the wireless man slipped down ladder and stairs with the grace and agility of a cat, and within a few seconds stood on the lower deck beside the sailors, who were waiting to make fast the gangplank.

“Just let that little fellow there come aboard,” said the wireless man, pointing to his friend who was still struggling to get through the crowd.

“Aye, aye, Mr. Mercer,” called back a husky hand on the dock, who stood ready to help shove the gangplank into place. Then, turning around, the huge fellow shouldered his way through the crowd, whisked the suit case out of the little lad’s hand, and opened a way for him through the press. In another moment the gangplank was run out and made fast; and before the little lad knew what was happening, he and his suit case were bundled up the gangplank and aboard ship. A second later the eager passengers were pouring down the gangway in a torrent.