The captain overheard the remark and turned to Harry:
“Would you really like to remain on board during the race?”
“Indeed we would!” said Harry. “And we’ll do duty, too, same as the rest of the crew, if you’ll only keep us. You know both of us understand all about a regular yacht.”
“Well, you can stay. I am short one man, and two boys ought to more than make up for him.”
Perhaps Jerry and Harry were not delighted? They sent word to Jack Broxton, and then made themselves familiar with the great yacht, the pride of all on board.
Soon it was time to up anchor and make for the starting point. Jerry and Harry worked manfully at the ropes, and so did Frank Lee. No one is allowed to remain idle on a racing yacht. The least one can do is to rush to this side or that and thus make “ballast.”
“All ready!” came the word, and the signal was given to start, and the Defender and the Spray were off.
Presently Jerry came over to the captain, who was at the wheel.
“Can we pass the Spray?” he asked, anxiously.
“We can try, Upton,” was the reply. “Can you take the wheel for a minute. I must have a drink of water.”