Part of the time young Benson had surrendered his glass to his first officer, while the captain himself stood by the wheel.
But now, Jack was again pacing the deck, while Eph, his eyes mostly on the compass, steered steadily by course.
Suddenly, Jack Benson started. Quickly he wiped the outer lenses of his glass, then looked again.
"See anything?" demanded Eph.
"Yes, sirree! And the 'Thor' is almost a mile nearer than we are! It's the derelict—not a doubt of it!"
Like a flash Jack sprang to the wheel, ringing the bell for full speed.
"Eph, hustle below! Tell Hal we've sighted the derelict. Tell him to hump the engines. Tell him I don't care how much we overheat the machinery so that we don't blow the craft up. Jump!"
Eph collided with Jacob Farnum, who had started up from below, but he brushed the shipbuilder aside, rushing below as though death pursued him.