"How do we stand with the Rhinds craft?" asked David Pollard, who sat on one of the cushioned seats in the engine room.
"Half a mile behind, sir."
Pollard got up slowly, then went through and up the stairs to the deck.
For some moments Hal and Jack talked together, in low tones. Both looked rather glum, until Hal suggested something that sent a little ray of hope into Benson's eyes.
"We'll see," muttered the young captain. "It looks like a forlorn hope, though, Hal."
At the end of the third hour the "Zelda" had added another quarter mile to the lead, while the "Oakland" showing the way, was a good mile ahead of the foremost racer.
When four hours had gone by the Rhinds boat was discovered to be just about a mile ahead of her nearest competitor. The Seawold boat, third in line, was half a mile behind the "Benson," and the Blackson boat, last of all, was two miles behind the Pollard boat's stern. But Jack and his friends had long ago ceased to feel any interest in the tail-enders.
The race was to be over at five o'clock. At half-past three, or four hours and a half after the start, Jack found, by the help of the rangefinder, that the Rhinds boat led by a mile and an eighth.
"Keep the wheel, Eph!" called the Young commander. "Steer as straight as you can. I'll be up soon."
Then Jack Benson darted below, though his legs trembled a bit under him.