“What on earth has happened?” gasped Eben Moddridge, but there was on one to pay him heed.
For a few moments the two white-faced chums looked over the “Rocket’s” powerful engine together. Then their eyes met as Halstead’s lips framed the startled words:
“Joe, my boy, it’s one thing to play at broken-down engine, but the reality, at a time like this, is simply awful! This time the engine is truly out of business!”
CHAPTER XIX
THE MOTOR THAT WOULDN’T “MOTE”
IT was Eben Moddridge who, marine glass in hand, now devoted the most attention to the schooner, which was once more in full chase.
Francis Delavan was now doing so well that there was no doubt in anyone’s mind of his full recovery.
“How—how’s the stock market?” he ventured at last to ask.
“Don’t know, sir,” retorted Butts. “Neither does anyone else. We’ve got you and the engine to fix. When you’re both going fine, then we’ll try to find more time to talk.”