Astounding Stories, July, 1931

A weather‑beaten trader named Dan McNally pilots his aging schooner, the Virginia, through a moon‑lit South Pacific night when a strange green flash erupts from an uncharted island. The erratic signal, Morse‑like but hesitant, warns of an imminent danger and compels Dan to investigate despite the crew’s skepticism. As he draws nearer, the island’s jagged cliffs reveal a faint, otherworldly glow that hints at forces far beyond ordinary storms. The opening scene sets a tense, claustrophobic mood, balancing seafaring realism with a thin veil of alien mystery.

The story unfolds with classic pulp flair, teetering between nautical adventure and speculative terror. Readers are drawn into a race against an invisible menace, while the rhythm of the flashing light drives a palpable sense of urgency. Early clues suggest a hidden intelligence—or perhaps a trap—lurking on the volcanic rock, promising a thrilling descent into the unknown for anyone daring enough to answer the SOS.