"Perhaps it is the Raven," said Dave. And his heart gave a leap.
Slowly the newcomer came closer until, at noon, she was within hailing distance.
She was really the Raven and she came up boldly, with Lemuel Hankers, Bart, and several others on her deck.
The Raven would have gained the spot several days before, but an unexpected breakdown of her machinery had caused a delay.
The wait was maddening to Lemuel Hankers and his son, yet their rage did them no good.
The Raven came to a standstill when within hailing distance of the Swallow.
"Raven, ahoy!" shouted Captain Broadbeam, through his speaking trumpet.
"Ahoy, the Swallow!" came back from Captain Nesik.
"You're a pretty set of rascals!" burst out the honest commander of the Government vessel.
"Don't talk that way to us!" retorted Captain Nesik.