The mist was yet light and curling as Captain Halstead reached the open. Second Officer Dick Davis met him at the head of the steps.
"How long has this been coming on?" demanded Halstead.
"The first little puffs rolled in half an hour ago," replied Dick. "You see, I've put in closer to the enemy. We're still well in sight, or I'd have called you earlier."
The motor yacht was now running along abreast of the "Victor," and less than three hundred yards distant. The steam yacht's lights were in plain sight, save when occasional puffs of fog obscured them briefly.
Tom groaned with excitement.
"This is going to get heavier," he muttered.
"Yes, sir," nodded Davis. "Still, I didn't believe it necessary to call you until I had to use the whistle."
Too-whoo-oo-oo! sounded the auto fog-horn, controlled by the sailor on watch in the pilot-house with the quartermaster.
"You did right, Mr. Davis," the young skipper nodded. "But we're going to be up against it in half an hour. Where's your extra man of the watch?"
Davis blew a thrilling blast on his mate's whistle. In answer the third sailor of the watch came running to the bridge steps.