"Now," said Jack, "is the time that I wish I had my 20-kilowatt radio
tube that I have been working on so long."
Mr. Hampton, Bob and Frank nodded sympathetically. An enthusiast on
radio, Jack had developed a number of new appliances. The latest of
these was not yet completed. He had worked on it in the laboratories at
Yale during the Winter and Spring. The lateness of his return to his
classes, however, inasmuch as he did not arrive at college until after
Christmas, due to the delay occasioned by his adventures in South
America in search of "The Enchanted City of the Incas," compelled him to
devote most his time to catching up in his studies. He did not,
therefore, have as much time to devote to laboratory experiments as he
desired. As a consequence, the 20-kilowatt tube had not yet been
perfected, when time came for him to depart for Alaska with his father.
Jack's 20-kilowatt tube, when completed, would be the most powerful in
the world, and he expected, moreover, to construct others of greater
kilo-wattage. A 75-kilowatt tube had been produced in England, it is
true, but it had not been found practicable. Jack's tube was to be
steel-jacketed and equipped with a water-cooling device, due to the heat
produced when in operation. His big dream was that this tube, when used
as an amplifier in conjunction with an alternator, would make
trans-atlantic telephonic communication as common as cabling or wireless
telegraphing.
"If I only had one of my 20-kilowatt tubes now," he mourned, "we would
be able to talk not only with Mr. MacDonald's Post but with Dawson or
even Nome."
"Well, Jack," said Frank, "it's too bad. Just the same, let's get busy.
For, with our 50-watt oscillator tube set we will be able to communicate
by telegraph up to 500 miles. And, as the Post is only 400 miles away,
we can reach it easily."
For sending up to 500 miles, the boys knew they could use either three
or four 5-watt oscillator tubes in parallel, or one 50-watt oscillator
tube. They had decided on the latter method, in making their
preparations for departure in faraway Seattle. For one thing, and the
biggest, transportation was the most important item. And the 50-watt
tube set was the more compact. Quickly, then, with Mr. Hampton helping,
they got out the various parts from their baggage and made the
connections.
Farnum, the Northwest policeman, MacDonald, and Dick and Art, watched
with puzzled interest and even awe as the four, working in unison, put
together the aerial series condenser, the blocking condenser, the grid
condenser, the telegraph key, the chopper, the choke coil in the key
circuit, the filament volt-meter, the protective condenser in the power
circuit, the storage battery and the motor generator.
Farnum and MacDonald asked questions, although Dick and Art were content
to sit silent and watch, keen-eyed, as the construction work progressed.
Several times, too, Dick arose and went to the water's edge to keep
watch against surprise. That any would be attempted for the time being,
nobody believed, as they figured the enemy would consider them on guard.
As they worked, Jack explained for the benefit of the others. His
description of how the low voltage current from the storage battery
flowed into one of the windings of the generator and drives it as a
motor thus generating higher voltage in the other winding both puzzled
and interested them. By the time, the set was ready for use, Farnum, who
was something of a mechanic by inclination, had a fair understanding of
the set, but MacDonald, though interested, was bewildered.
"I'm fair beat," he confessed. "Anyhow, just so you boys can make it
work!"
"Oh, we'll make it work, all right," Frank assured him. "Well, now, to
try to call the Post. What's its call, Mr. MacDonald?"
"I happen to remember," said MacDonald. "We were all so interested when
wireless was put in that Captain Jameson gave us a little lecture on it.
He said our call would be JSN, abbreviation for his name. We were to
remember it, in case of need, when we were able to get to a wireless
station. Well, this is a case of need."
"I'll say it is," said big Bob. "Well, come on, fellows, who's going to
call?"
It was an honor or distinction that each was eager to have, yet each
wanted to force it on the others. A friendly argument developed, to
which Mr. Hampton, smiling, put an end.
"Look here, boys, we are wasting time. Suppose you draw straws for the
privilege. You all know the Morse and Continental codes, so there is no
question of ability involved. Here--" breaking three matchsticks into
varying lengths and offering them--"take your choice. Longest wins."
Frank drew the winning stick. The others laughed, clapped him on the
back, and without more ado he began pressing the key and sending out the
signal.
"Is somebody on duty at the Post wireless station, do you think,
MacDonald?" asked Mr. Hampton.
"Somebody there all the time," the latter replied. "Captain Jameson has
found wireless so useful in policing his vast district that he wonders
how he ever got along without it."
"Hurray," shouted Frank, "listen. They're answering."
To those who understood the code, the answer was plain:
"JSN answering. Who are you?"
"MacDonald," tapped off Frank, grinning mischievously.
The receptor sounded almost angry.
"Quit your kidding."
"No, I mean it," replied Frank. "This is MacDonald of the Mounted."
"Prove it."
"That'll stump old Frank," chuckled Bob, in an aside. But he was
mistaken.
"All right," replied Frank, confidently. "Do you know what my assignment
is?"
"Yes," answered JSN, impudently. "Do you?"
"I'm after Lupo the Wolf," tapped Frank. "Now call Captain Jameson."
"You're not MacDonald," replied JSN, "because he doesn't know the code.
But you must be speaking for him, for that's right about his assignment.
I'll call Captain Jameson. You wait."
"All right," tapped Frank.
Then he turned to the eager MacDonald, who was itching to inquire what
was occurring, but had restrained himself until he should be appealed to
by Frank, in order not to interrupt. Like all men unfamiliar with
telegraphy, whether wireless or by wire, he stood in awe of an operator,
and believed it would be terrible, indeed, to interrupt that superior
being. Frank took pity now on his curiosity, as well as on that of
Farnum, Dick and Art, crowding behind him, and explained what had
happened.
"And you actually got the Post?" asked MacDonald, doubt in his voice.
Frank nodded.
"My God," said the big policeman. "Think of the weeks I spent toiling up
here, and now you come along and talk across that distance without the
loss of a minute's time. Wonderful, well I reckon."
"When Captain Jameson arrives," said Frank, smiling, "I want you to
stand close and I'll translate what he says, and you help me with the
replies, will you?"
"Won't I be interrupting you?"
"Oh, no," smiled Frank. "You just come close and wait until I speak.
It'll be all right. Well"--as the receptor began to click--"I guess this
is Captain Jameson now. Yes," with a nod, "it's he, all right. He's
asking where you are, Mr. MacDonald."
"Tell him I'm four hundred miles away and close on Lupo. Tell him about
yourselves and the fight, and that we're going to round up Lupo's gang
and ask him how soon he can send men to help me out with any prisoners
we take, and if he can send any at all, and--"
"One minute," said Frank. "I understand. Just wait a bit now, while I
telegraph."
To explain at length the details of that telegraphic conversation is
unnecessary. Suffice it to say, that the situation was fully explained
to Captain Jameson, and that the latter agreed to start a half dozen
deputies under a Sergeant to MacDonald's aid, as soon as he should hear
again as to the outcome of the expedition against Lupo.
"It'll take a while for the men to reach MacDonald," said Captain
Jameson. "But with game plentiful and the season open, he can camp until
they arrive, and thus keep watch over his prisoners, providing he makes
any. You people go ahead with your rounding up of Lupo's gang, and then
let me hear from you again."
On that agreement, Frank finally closed the conversation, as there was
nothing further to be said.