The effect of this attention on the part of the skipper of the Skylark was to lessen the distance between her and the Sea Foam; they were abeam of each other, with the Phantom in the same line. The Christabel was about a cable's length ahead of them.
"She's game yet," said Gus Barker, his disappointment evident in the tones of his voice, as the Skylark came up to the Sea Foam.
"This is a new boat, and I haven't got the hang of her yet," Donald explained. "Haul up that fin a little, Dick."
"What fin?"
"The centre-board."
"Ay, ay," replied Dick, as he obeyed the order.
"Steady! that's enough," continued Donald, who now narrowly watched the sailing of the Sea Foam, to assure himself that she did not make too much leeway.
"That was what she wanted!" exclaimed Gus, when the yacht began to gain again, and in a few minutes was half a length ahead.
The Start. [Page 51].