"
The "Zelda" was now well ahead of the "Chelsea," which was putting out
at cruising speed only.
Too-oot! toot! toot! sounded sharply, hoarsely, from the deep throat
of the "Chelsea's" whistle.
"Good enough," muttered Lieutenant Danvers. "They've ordered the Rhinds
scooter to slow clown and fall into line behind the gunboat."
"I'm sorry," muttered Hal.
"Why?" asked the naval lieutenant.
"I wish they had let old Rhinds go ahead and get all his machinery
red-hot at the outset."
Then, slowly shaking his head, Hal Hastings went back to his post.
"Do you really think we can beat that scooter to-day, Hal?" inquired
the shipbuilder, anxiously.
"Yes, sir."
"What makes you so certain, lad?"
"Why, we'll beat her just because we've got to do it, sir," Hastings
replied, then hurried below.
"Hal isn't any too sure," muttered David Pollard, restlessly. "Neither
am I. Jake, we have a strong fight to make to-day. Somehow, Rhinds has
managed to put a pretty lively engine in that boat of his. I had an
idea she'd be two or three miles an hour slower.
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