At about seven o'clock, at Chesty Todd's suggestion, the engines were slowed down somewhat, that the lookout aloft might have better opportunity to examine the sea on all sides of the ship. The yacht still maintained fair speed, however, and the call to breakfast finding no one willing to respond, Madeline ordered coffee and rolls served on deck, where they could all watch while refreshing themselves.
"What's your run, Captain?" asked Steve, nervously.
"Hundred and forty miles, sir."
"Indeed! Go a little slower, please."
The captain rang the bell to slow down. Presently the Salvador was creeping along at the rate of ten miles an hour.
"The gasoline," said Steve, "may have carried them farther than I figured on. It's a new machine and I haven't had a chance to test the exact capacity of the tanks."
The moments dragged tediously. Every person aboard was laboring under tense excitement.
"What's the run, Captain?"
"One fifty-two, sir."
"Ah."