Barbour Ralph Henry - Four Afloat: Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the Water стр 12.

The Point fell farther and farther away and grew indistinct in the sunlit haze. The racers had formed into two broken lines, the Amy still holding the lead, with the Scrapper and the Gnome striving to nose her out of it. Suddenly the sun went down, throwing a last intense ray across the water, and the blue twilight descended. The lantern at the top of the lighthouse on Bakers Island bade good night to the speeding boats, and wished them safe voyage. The whistling had long since ceased, and nothing was to be heard now aboard the Vagabond but the chugging of the boats ahead and an occasional hail from some one of the following craft. The Vagabond was by no means the only boat in pursuit. Launches little and big were trying to keep up in order to get a last view of the contest. But one by one they dropped astern, turned and headed homeward. The twilight deepened, but the boys on the Vagabond paid little heed, for they had passed two of the racers, and were gaining on a third.

Say, maybe were not going some! cried Tom delightedly.

Twelve miles and over, answered Nelson with satisfaction.

Bet you well pass that one there inside of five minutes, crowed Tom. Gee! I wish we were in the race!

Looks as though we were, said Bob with a smile. Theres the Sue ahead there. Shes going along in great shape, isnt she? If she wasnt so small, Id be willing to bet shed win out.

Wouldnt be surprised, answered Nelson. Shes got a whole lot of handicap allowance to help. And even if she is small, shes certainly keeping her end up with some of the others. How about that dinner you were going to cook, Tommy?

Just wait till we pass the next one, begged Tom excitedly. I love to see the way the fellows look at us when we go by.

Theyre probably wondering what were butting in for, said Nelson laughingly. Id rather like to know myself!

Just to show them what a real boat looks like, suggested Bob. Could we keep up this pace all the way?

Nelson shook his head.

Maybe, but I wouldnt like to try. Wed probably overheat something, and get in a fix. No; if we were going clear through with the bunch, Id stop her down to about eight or nine miles and see what would happen.

Lets do it! cried Dan.

The others looked expectantly at Nelson. He shook his head again.

It wouldnt be safe, fellows, he answered. Its all right now, but we might meet a whole lot of nasty water outside the Cape.

What Cape? asked Tom.

Cape Cod.

Oh! do we have to go by there? he asked in surprise. Whereupon there was a laugh at Toms knowledge of geography.

They were pulling abreast of the next launch now, and her red side-light shone brightly through the gathering dusk.

Now, Tommy, you can start your fire, said Dan. Were up to them and passing. Hello! that chaps going to hail us.

Hello, the launch! came a voice through a megaphone.

Nelson picked up his own megaphone and answered the hail.

Are you in this? was the demand.

No; were just following!

Oh! Are you going back to Marblehead tonight?

Dont think so, answered Nelson. Well probably try for Boston.

I see! Much obliged! Goodnight!

Good night, called Nelson, and good luck!

The other nodded and laid aside his megaphone. Then the Vagabond went ahead. It was too dark to read the name of the other boat, although Dan said he thought she was the Sizz.

Did you mean that, about going to Boston? asked Bob.

Yes, answered Nelson. We might as well, because well be nearer Boston than Marblehead by this time.

How far have we come? asked Dan.

About Nelson looked at his watch and whistled softly about fourteen miles, I think. And if were going back, wed better be doing it. Our best port would be Hull, but I dont like to look for it after dark. Come to think of it, I dont know that I want to fuss around Boston Harbor at this time of night. Maybe, after all, wed better put back to Marblehead or Lynn. Wheres that chart, Bob?

It was found and spread out on the cabin roof. Tom held the lantern and Nelson and Bob studied it for a moment.

I think the best thing to do, said Bob finally, is to keep on for Cohasset. It isnt much farther, and looks like an easy harbor.

I guess youre right, Nelson replied. Yes, thats the best thing to do. Then we want to swing in now or well never get there until about ten oclock. Theres Minots Light over there. Make for that, Bob.

All right! Bob turned the wheel and the Vagabond swung to starboard and crossed ahead of the launch which had hailed them. Beyond, in the darkness, the lights of the other racers gleamed and swung as the boats tossed slowly in the long seas. As they passed the Sizz