They needed no urging to put forth stern, unceasing energies.
Twice smoke on the horizon raised the alarm; but nothing came of it.
With great astuteness the Master had the wireless put in shape, at once, and sent out three messages at random, on two successive days.
These messages stated that _Nissr_ had been sighted in flames and falling, in North latitude 19 deg., 35'; longitude 28 deg., 16', or about two hundred and fifty miles north-west of the Cape Verdes; that wreckage from her had been observed somewhat south of that point; and that bodies floating in vacuum-belts had been recovered by a Spanish torpedo-boat.
No answer came in from any of these messages; but there was always an excellent chance that such misinformation would drag a red herring across the trail of pursuit.
Men never slaved as the Legionaries did, especially toward the end.
The last forty-eight hours, the Master instituted night work.

The men paused hardly long enough to eat or sleep, but snatched a bite when they could, labored till they could do no more, and then dropped in their places and were dragged out of the way so that others could take hold.

Some fell asleep with tools in hand, stricken down as if by apoplexy.
The Master had wisely kept the pace moderate, at first, but had speeded up toward the end.

None grew more haggard, toil-worn, or emaciated than he.

With blistered hands, sweat-blinded eyes, parched mouths and fevered souls these men fought against all the odds of destiny.