Her strong hands held the wheel-spokes with a grip unbreakable. She could force the Stazy’s head to the seas.
“Can you start the engine on the reverse, Miss?” bawled Gordon.
“I can try!” flashed Ruth. “Say when.”
In a moment the cry came: “Ready!”
“Aye, aye!” responded Ruth, spinning the flywheel.
The spark caught almost instantly. The exhaust sputtered.
“Now!” yelled the skipper.
Ruth threw the lever. The boat trembled like an automobile under the propulsion of the engine. The propeller shaft groaned.
“Ye-ow!” shouted the excited Tom again.
This time he sprawled back into the bottom of the boat, tearing away a good half of Jennie’s cape in his grip. The rest of the garment floated to the surface. It was loose from the propeller.