"Does it look like a break-down?" asked the young skipper.
"Can't say, sir. But the 'Victor' must be going two miles an hour slower than she was ten minutes ago."
"That's the best news I've heard, Mr. Costigan. Watch your helmsman's work. Let me know if anything more happens. Anyway, I'll be on the bridge as soon as I've finished dinner."
Joe, who had jumped up while he heard his chum speaking, now looked astonished.
"Going to finish your dinner, Tom, after hearing such news as that?"
"Yes. Why not? Oh, I'm enthusiastic enough, but it takes gasoline, not enthusiasm, to keep motors going. You might call the news down to Jeff Randolph, though, and see whether he thinks he can put on any more spurt without danger."
Jeff Randolph reported that the motors were going at top speed.
Chief Steward Parkinson came in to remove the dishes for that course. His face was glowing.
"Mr. Baldwin's up on the bridge, Captain," reported the steward.