He walked back to the motor, wishing he had Case, cool, cautious reliable Case, who was always alert to run no more risks than could be avoided. Alex was a skillful wheelsman but daring and reckless at times.
The big steamboat came up on them slowly but surely. When she was within about 200 yards of the Rambler, Alex twirled the wheel over and the Rambler swung around in a graceful curve, while Clay bent to his motor, shoved the timer up a few more notches and turned on a little more oil and air. A great yelling from the steamboat drew his attention away from the motor. Most of the passengers were on their feet waving their arms excitedly, while an officer on the upper deck was cursing volubly in the most approved Yukon style, for the Rambler was driving down on the steamer as if bound to cut her in two. Unmindful of the curses of the officer, Alex held on until it seemed that only a miracle could save the tiny Rambler from being smashed to pieces against her big sister. Alex jammed the wheel hard up and the Rambler, spinning around like a top, ranged alongside of the big boat, their sides almost touching. A swift glance upward showed him that he had hit where he had aimed for; on the deck above sat the Yukon Kid and close beside him was a wonderfully pretty girl.
The danger over, Clay was busy at the motor closing the timer down until the Rambler was running even with the steamer.
Ike had come out of the cabin and stood looking up at the Kid with a delightful grin on his face.
“Hallo, Ikey,” greeted the Kid, in good-natured banter. “Have you decided to set up that secondhand store in Nome yet?”
“No. Mr. Kid,” replied Ike politely. “It wouldn’t pay. There’s got to be more nice ladies come there first. It takes the ladies to make the men dress up fine. My, Mr. Kid,” he added innocently, “you sure are fixed up fine today.”
The Kid’s face grew red to the roots of his hair, while on the girl’s face a smile struggled for mastery over a blush.
Alex, up at the wheel, felt a thrill of joy for the quickness of the witty retort. “Ike’s sure my partner for this trip,” he promised himself.
CHAPTER XVI
ESQUIMAUX