It made them sore to think of it. But it also made the men on board their rival sore to think how comfortable the Star of the South was in all other respects.
Owing to the fact that the Battle-Axe's crowd was sulky, the Star of the South got her anchor out of the ground and stood to the north-west to round Point Angelos a good ten minutes before Watchett's vessel was under way.
"That's good," said Connie Ryder. "I know they're a sulky lot by now in the Battle-Axe. And our men work like dears."
It was with difficulty she kept from tailing on to the braces as they jammed the Star close up to weather the Point. For the wind was drawing down the coast from the nor'ard, and Valparaiso harbour faces due north. She was glad when they rounded the Point and squared away, for if there was any real difference in the sailing qualities of the rival barques, the Star was best before the wind and the Battle-Axe when she was in a bow-line.
"And with any real luck," said Mrs. Ryder, "we may have a good fair wind all the way till we cross the line."
It was so far ahead to consider the north-east trades, which meant such mighty long stretches in a wind, that she declined to think of them. And she entirely forgot the calms of Capricorn.
"We're doing very well, Will," she said to her husband when the starboard watch went below and the routine of the passage home commenced.
"It's early days," replied Will Ryder. "I fancy the Battle-Axe is in her best trim for a wind astern."
But Mrs. Ryder didn't believe it.
"And if she is, she mayn't be so good when it comes to beating."