“We won’t forget, Silas. We’re anxious to see how far we’ve come.”
When they went below they found out. In the forty-eight hours or more that she had been under way, the White Shark had made twelve hundred miles, which Silas declared was a “bumper” run.
While he hastened forward to communicate the results of his observations to Mr. Dancer, Tom and Jack examined the chart which was still spread out. It showed that they were about off the “Capes.”
“It seems to me I read something about the Atlantic fleet being ordered to Europe before long,” said Jack. “What if they should be steaming out from the Capes now? You know they rendezvoused at Newport News.”
“Let’s get a glass and go on deck and see if we can sight anything,” suggested Tom. “If they are steaming to sea we ought to be able to see them.”
“All right. Just wait till I find out if everything is running smoothly and I’ll go with you. We don’t have to stand by for orders now.”
A thorough investigation was made by the young engineer, the result of which showed that everything was running in fine shape. Armed with the binoculars, the two boys went on deck. Tom was the first to gaze westward. Then came Jack’s turn.
Of course the shore was invisible, for their course compelled them to be many miles out at sea, but Jack thought he saw a dark blur on the horizon.
“Take a look, Tom,” he urged, “and see what you make it out to be. It looks like a steamer’s smoke.”
Tom took the glasses and gazed long and steadily in the direction Jack had indicated.