The boys thought so as well, but there was nothing they could do save wait for results and trust to luck.
Bang!
The nose of the "Richmond" caught the other boat a glancing blow and bounced off. The sides of the two ships bumped together, then the stern of the "Richmond" side-swiped the stranger with a smash that sent everything jingling on the two ships, while the skipper of the up-craft was dancing up and down the deck of his vessel, heaping abuse upon Captain Simms and his "fool crew."
"We must get that beast out, at all costs," raged the master of the "Richmond."
Just then Bruin leaned back from the window and against the whistle lever. Instantly a roar, accompanied by a cloud of steam, burst from the whistle at the after end of the boat. The roaring of the siren did not cease. It kept right up and Mr. Bear glanced about uneasily as if suspecting that the noise was directed against him.
About this time the chief engineer rushed to the deck.
"Stop that blowing. You'll blow all the steam out of the boilers!" he commanded, shouting up to the bridge.
"Suppose you come up and stop it yourself," suggested Jarvis, grinning over the rail.
"We shall have to try that meat plan, I guess, boys," decided the master. "How shall we do it without playing the part of the meat?"