"Here comes the Eagle, sir," as another yacht appeared close aboard in the gloom, with her flag streaming wildly on the gale.
"Keep off! keep off!" roared Charlie Haines to Tom Hackett, who was steering the rival yacht.
"Clear the track!" came back the answer, in angry tones.
"Keep on your course, Mr. Nye!" yelled Charlie. "You have the right of way, and he dare not run us down."
Scarcely had he spoken when Hackett altered his boat's course.
"Luff, sir, luff!" shouted Charlie Haines, and with a light touch of the helm, Mr. Nye avoided the collision. Not entirely, though, for the Eagle caught her jib-stay under her rival's main-boom; a sharp snap followed, a heavy lurch, and the Eagle, devoid of her jib, whirled about and upset, throwing her crew along the ice.
"Served them right!" exclaimed Haines. "They tried to crowd us out of our course, but got upset themselves. Now, boys, hold on tight."
A terrific gust of wind and snow drove them swiftly on; it blew so hard, that the windward runner, with Charlie clinging to it, was lifted high in the air, and it seemed as though the boat must capsize.
"Shall we drop the peak?" called Mr. Nye. "I hardly think she'll stand it."