"Isn't she cutting through the water, though?" exclaimed Sam. "Won't be so very long before she's up with us."
Taking turns with the glass—Jack had promised to be good—the seven eagerly watched the steamer's approach. Now she was coming clearly into view, even the passengers on her deck being readily seen. Her huge black funnels were sending up columns of smoke.
Sam, sweeping the craft from stem to stern, gazed for several moments in silence; then:
"It's the 'Evergreen State,' fellows!" he exclaimed.
"Hooray!" yelled Dick.
"No better boat nor her runs to Portland," grunted the steersman, throwing a glance over his shoulder.
Slowly the distance between the boats was lessened.
"She'll pass purty close to us, lads," volunteered the man at the wheel.
The boys lolled on the cabin roof. The glass ran from hand to hand and back again. A hearty cheer went up, and handkerchiefs fluttered when the "Evergreen State" finally crept abreast.
Then Dick, who was gazing intently, gave a short, shrill whistle, let his hands drop for an instant, and whistled again, with such a note of astonishment that the others sat bolt upright and stared.