He leaned over to see that everything exterior was functioning properly.
Out of the darkness to one side came the shrill sound of a tug’s whistle, and Frank threw the searchlight over to find it. It was dead ahead, whistling the passing signal, which Frank returned at once.
“Wow! Where are ye goin’ in such a hurry?” came a yell from aft of the tug as the Rocket shot by only two boat-lengths away, at the same time striking into the wash from the tug and casting spray in goodly amounts over the two boys forward.
Paul and Ralph released their holds to wipe the spray from their eyes.
Just at this moment something came up the river from the port side, long and slim, running directly across the path of the Rocket!
The searchlight was shooting a little high, and its rays were cast upward instead of along the surface of the river.
There was no time to throw it into place. The spray and the rocking of the motor boat in the wash of the tug had decreased their ability to see clearly for just a few seconds. They were almost upon this obstacle, whatever it was.
Frank saw two ends of it—recognized they were running squarely into the midships of a launch which was crossing their path slowly!
Action was demanded! Something must be done! This thing would be cut in two! Their own boat would be injured! They might lose in this race for a life!
Frank threw the Rocket’s nose far over, the rudder acted instantly, the Rocket careened, and Paul Bird went tumbling into the river.