“Say, but we’re gaining on them,” reported Captain Tom, a few minutes later. “Do you notice how much larger the ‘Buzzard’s’ hull looms?”
“It does,” agreed Tremaine. “That’s a certain fact.”
Everybody, the Tampa officers included, crowded forward for a look.
Watchful of the slightest variation of the helm, Captain Halstead steered the straightest line that his sea experience had taught him to do.
“Great!” cried the charter-man. “If this keeps up, we’ll overhaul those fellows before dark. But how do you account for our sudden success?”
“I’ve a strong notion,” responded Dawson, “that those fellows on the ‘Buzzard’ have had to slow down their engines to prevent a crash in the machinery.”
“If you can only keep yours going, then!”
“I’m trying hard enough,” muttered Joe, holding up his oil can. “I am keeping this thing in my hand all the time, now.”
Within another quarter of an hour it was plain that further gains had been made on the craft ahead.
Joe now felt warranted in easing up ever so little on his own motors, yet he was careful not to shut off too much speed.