The effect was soon felt.
The engine could now make no more than fifteen miles an hour against the ordinary wind.
She was crippled.
Her only reliance for speed was to go with a strong breeze when she could add a few miles.
All Frank’s friends rushed aft.
They saw at once what had happened, and their expressions of dismay were without number.
“Now how can we hope to overtake the Rover if we meet her?” blandly asked Frank. “She can travel faster than we can, under favorable conditions.”
“Bedad, she can’t bate us badly, anyhow,” said Barney. “Should we see her it will be a case av nip an’ tuck.”
“Dar’s a sail now!” said Pomp, pointing northward.
It was a distant speck, miles away, near the coast, and Frank passed into the turret to get a glass.