CHAPTER X.
THE LAUNCH OF THE MAUD.
The heavy rain had driven nearly all the people on board of the Penobscot below, but the judges, clothed in rubber coats, kept the deck, in readiness to take the time of the rival yachts. After the squall, the weather was so thick that both of them were hidden from view. The craft not in the race had anchored near the Penobscot, and on board of all the yachts the interest in the result was most intense.
"I'm afraid it will be no race," said Sam Rodman, who was now the chairman of the judges.
"The commodore will put the Skylark through, whatever the weather," replied Frank Norwood.
"Don John will keep the Sea Foam flying as long as Bob runs the Skylark, you may depend."
"It was quite a little squall that swept across the bay just now," added Rodman. "I hope no accident has happened to them."
"I'll risk the accidents. I would give a dollar to know which one was ahead."
"Not much doubt on that point."