“Very well,” replied the millionaire. “Take it easy at first.”
Slowly the speed of the Elizabeth increased, as both powerful machines spun the screw around, and then, though the storm was not any less, the craft, cutting through the waves, rode on a more even keel.
“Now I think we’d all better try to get some rest,” suggested Mr. Potter. “It will soon be light enough to see, and we will watch for the boat we’re after.”
They went to their staterooms, but not to sleep. Soon the gray dawn of the November morning shone through the ports, and, with the advent of daylight, the rain, thunder and lightning ceased. But the wind still kept up.
It was on a wild and desolate scene that our friends gazed when they ventured on deck after a hasty breakfast. The big waves of Lake Huron seemed to make that body of water an ocean, rather than a lake. It was very clear, for the storm had blown away all the mists.
“Not a boat in sight,” remarked Larry, as he peered through a telescope, which he steadied against one of the wireless masts. “I wonder which way they went.”
“They must have run before the storm,” decided Mr. Potter. “I think if we keep on our present course we will sight them sooner or later, unless they have——”
He stopped, for Madame Androletti was coming on deck. Even though she did not love the water, she was a good sailor, as indeed were all on board the Elizabeth.
“Were you going to say unless they had gotten too far ahead, and have gone ashore?” asked Larry, as he saw the singer go over to talk to Grace.
“No, Larry, I was going to say ‘unless they have sunk,’ but I don’t like even to think that,” answered Mr. Potter. “They must be ahead of us, though with an inferior boat I don’t see how they could have outspeeded us. Still, they had a good start, and the wind helped them. Then, too, we were at half speed part of the time.”