"Why so? Her people will not know that it isn't all right with the Adieno."
"We are in no immediate danger; but suppose the captain of this boat should find means to get to Cannondale before the Champion does, he might engage her to go in pursuit of us."
"That would be jolly!" said Tom Rush. "We should have a glorious race!"
"But the chances are against us in a race," I replied, confounded by the temerity of Tom in thinking of such a thing as contending with the steamboat men on their own ground.
"Not a bit of it, Ernest. The Adieno is the faster boat of the two—that has been tried a dozen times," added Tom, as much excited as though the race had actually commenced.
"We must not attempt to beard the lion in his den."
"Why not? We might as well be hung for an old sheep as a lamb. We are in a scrape, and even Vallington thinks it is a bad one by this time. The more advantage we gain, the better terms we can make."
"I don't know about it, Tom. I feel as though we had carried this thing about far enough, and the sooner we get out of the scrape, the better it will be for us."
"Those are my sentiments. My father is part owner in this boat, and I think he will not enjoy the idea of our going off on a cruise in her," added Bob Hale.