"What do you think of it now, Dory?" asked Oscar Chester, in the pilot-house.
"Of course those fellows mean to pay off the old score if they can," replied the first pilot. "I doubt if we are ever on good terms with the Chesterfields, as I wish we could be."
"I suppose they don't feel any better towards us after what the principal said to them when they hailed the steamer, and wanted to get up a race. They are the sons of the magnates of the land, and it was rough for Captain Gildrock to tell them they were not gentlemen, and that he would not allow us to associate with them for that reason," added Oscar, chuckling, for all hands had enjoyed the snubbing which the principal had given them.
"My uncle told them the simple truth, though it was hard for them to digest," replied Dory, as he glanced at the two barges.
"Don't you think you ought to have a talk with Thad Glovering, Dory?" asked Oscar, after he had watched the approaching barges for a moment. "He don't seem to be doing anything, and in ten minutes more we shall have to pick up the tow."
"If Captain Glovering asks my advice, I shall give it to him; but not without. I have no more right to meddle with his business than any other fellow," replied Dory, very decidedly. "If I were in his place I should not want every fellow putting his finger in my pie. He is responsible for the steamer and the tow; and in my opinion Thad knows what he is about."
Captain Glovering was on the hurricane deck, watching the approach of the boats. He did not seem to be at all nervous or uneasy in regard to the situation. The Sylph was just beginning to round in so as to strike the channel. On the other side of it the water was only from one to three feet deep, and the caisson would make a wide sweep in coming about.
"If the tow should get adrift here it would ground in shoal water," said Dory, as he glanced again at the approaching barges.
"Captain Glovering has just called Will Orwell, and he means to do something. It is time something was done," replied Oscar.
The acting first officer had come on the hurricane deck, and the captain was apparently giving him some orders. Will hastened to the forward deck again. All hands were called; and this summons included all who were not actually on duty in the engine and firerooms or the pilot-house, for the work of the cooks and stewards was finished for that day.