d and dashed at full speed to the aid of the stricken
craft.

Even as the race of rescue began Darrin sent to the radio operator this
message to send broadcast through the air:

"S. O. S.! Hospital ship 'Gloucester' has struck mine and must founder
soon. Rush at best speed to give aid. S. O. S.!"

In the message Darrin included also the exact position of the stricken
vessel.

Two launches were swung outward on the davits. Darrin sprang down to the
deck to personally select the men to man the launches. Into the launches
were thrown several rolls of heavy canvas and rolls of cordage, as well
as such tools as might be needed.

By the time that the "Grigsby" had shut off speed and lain to, the decks
of the "Gloucester" were observed to be crowded with people.

The two launches, with Dave Darrin in one of them, shoved off and were
quickly alongside the hospital ship. Two ship's ladders were let down
over the side. Up these went the two boarding parties as rapidly as they
could move. Lines came swirling down, and canvas rolls and other supplies
were hoisted to the deck. This work was all quickly done.

Not a second must be lost. Dave ordered Ensign Peters and several men
forward to the bow of the hospital ship. With the remainder, Dave,
carrying a roll of canvas over one shoulder, and all hands carrying some
burden, started to go below.

With a group of Red Cross nurses who stood silently and calmly by the
patients who were being borne to the deck, Darrin was sure that he caught
sight of Belle.

But he did not look a second time. There was too much to be done now when
seconds were precious. Nor did Belle look up from the work that she was
doing among the wounded on stretchers.

A member of the crew led the American party below. Here Dave found two
mates and a score of sailors already at work. They were trying to
accomplish the very thing Darrin had come prepared to do--to rig canvas
over the hole in the hull to shut out as much of the water as was
possible.

If this could be accomplished, and if the "Gloucester's" pumps could
drive out most of the water that got in past the canvas patch, then it
might be possible for the hospital ship to keep afloat until other rescue
craft could reach the scene.

"We'll take your orders, sir," spoke up one of the mates, saluting, as
Dave and his party reached a forward hold where, despite the flimsy
canvas patch already rigged, the water was almost waist-deep.

"We'll work t