“She ought not to have been, for she has gone through the strain more than once and for a longer time. Why do you ask?”
“Somehow or other, it seems to me she isn’t running exactly right.”
“What is wrong?”
“I can’t put my finger on it; I may say I feel it—that’s all.”
“Well, you are right, for I have had the same misgiving ever since we left Wiscasset. I have tried to figure it out, but can’t and am waiting for it to develop, hoping all the time it won’t—hello! there it comes!”
While the speed of the boat was not affected, the engine began hissing with vicious persistency.
“Take the wheel, Chester, while I look around.”
He first examined the spark plugs, knowing that if one was broken the result would be what had just taken place, but all were intact. He had turned the switch, stopping the motor, and next inspected the valve caps where a fracture or loosening would have caused the hissing. They were sound and tight and the gaskets where the exhaust and intake pipes connected with the cylinders were tight.
“I’ve found it!” he called to Chester. “It’s an open compression cup, which is easily fixed; I am glad it is nothing worse.”
Remembering the lessons he had been taught, the young Captain soon corrected the fault and resumed progress. The launch, however, was held down to a comparatively slow pace, for the slight slip naturally caused misgiving. Several minutes passed with all going well.