"Go ahead, man—full speed! Catch that boat yonder!"
No reply did the mate make, but he rang one bell for half-speed ahead. This he presently followed with the signal for full speed. The tug's propeller churned the water astern. For a craft of this kind the tug was now moving fast. Hal steadily held the ray of the search-light on the stranger.
"Can't you hump a little more speed out of this tub?" the young officer demanded.
"I can't signal for any more," replied the mate, his hands on the spokes of the wheel. "Why don't you ask the engineer?"
Young Overton quickly summoned a soldier and sent him to the engineer with a message calling for more speed. After another minute the increase in speed was easily discernible.
"But that boat's getting away from us," cried Lieutenant Overton, with irritation in his voice.
"Of course she is," spoke the mate gruffly. "I could have told you that she'd show us a clean pair of heels."
"I don't know," the mate replied.
"Then how do you know she can beat us?"