"Then they must have a wonder," Jack declared.
"They have," his uncle agreed with a shake of his head.
"They're going to catch us before dark."
This time it was Captain Ole who made the prediction and his face was, as Jack afterward declared, a mile long.
"Well, I reckon all we can do is to keep on and hope for the best," Mr. Lakewood sighed.
"And prepare for the worst," Captain Ole added.
Another hour went by and now the pursuer was not more than two miles behind and coming like a race horse, as Jack put it. A glance at his watch told him that it was not quite six thirty and he knew that there would be at least two hours and a half more of daylight and by that time, at the rate she was gaining, they would be overhauled. It looked as though they would have to submit to being searched after all. But would they now be satisfied with that? That was a question which was troubling all of them except probably the members of the crew, some of whom had shown their reluctance at leaving until they had exhausted the oyster bed. Wong summoned them to supper and they made a hurried meal, all being anxious to be out where they could watch the race.
"She's not more'n a mile away," Bob declared when they were again in the stern.
"And coming like all possessed," Jack added. "I never supposed a boat of that size could make such speed."
Rod by rod and yard by yard the pursuing boat gained on them although the Valkyrie seemed to be fairly flying through the water. It still lacked nearly an hour of sunset and there was no hope of keeping away from them until darkness would give them a chance of escape. Slowly, and yet it seemed rapidly to them, the gap between the two boats was closing and it was now only a matter of a few minutes when they would be abreast.