They ran out past Muskeget Island, then turned back on their course, going nearer to Nantucket. They were now about north of Muskeget, but gradually passing the island, when Tom began to notice that something was wrong with the speed of the boat.
“What’s up with the engine, Joe?” Halstead called down to his now invisible chum.
“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” Joe retorted. “I don’t like the motor’s behavior, and it’s getting worse every minute.”
“I should say so,” muttered Tom.
“There isn’t any danger of a serious accident, is there?” asked Miss Elsie quickly.
“Probably not,” was the young skipper’s reply. “But we don’t know, and can’t, until we find out what’s wrong.”
“Oh, we ought to hurry back,” shivered Miss Elsie. “We ought to get in before there’s any accident.”
“Why, provided none of us were drowned, an accident would be something worth remembering,” laughed Jessie mischievously.
“Jessie Lester, how dare you say so?” demanded her sister, looking somewhat shocked.
“Say,” bawled up the now excited voice of Joe Dawson, “this is a tough one!”