Part 18 (1/2)

But the naval officer was aboard as an official spectator If the lieutenant aided in any way, then the Pollard submarine would be disqualified

Jack's as more slow, this tiured out

”How far astern of the 'Zelda' are ?” called Jacob Farnum

”A shade over a half a mile”

”Whew! And the race only a third run”

”In other words,” went on the young captain, ”the Rhinds boat is gaining steadily on us at the rate of a quarter of a h to win the race beyond any dispute”

”Can't we catch up over that distance?” asked Jacob Farnum

”Not now, anyway, sir”

Jack went back beside the wheel So the spokes into his own hands Instead, he wheeled, silently, going back, through the conning tower, and down to the engine room

”Hoe stand with the Rhinds craft?” asked David Pollard, who sat on one of the cushi+oned seats in the engine rooot up slowly, then went through and up the stairs to the deck

For soether, in low tones Both looked rather glu that sent a little ray of hope into Benson's eyes

”We'll see,”captain ”It looks like a forlorn hope, though, Hal”

At the end of the third hour the ”Zelda” had added another quarter ood one 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, o 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 hth

”Keep the wheel, Eph!” called the Young coht as you can I'll be up soon”

Then Jack Benson darted below, though his legs trembled a bit under him

”All ready, Hal!” shouted the youthful commander ”Play our one truh I'm afraid Rhinds has just such a card in his own pack”

Then up to the platform deck hastened Jack Benson Hecaptain did not propose to leave again until the race was over

Soon after this so happened that must have made those aboard the Rhinds boat feel uneasy The ”Benson” began to crawl up on the ”Zelda”

”What are you doing now, Jack?” called Jacob Farnum sharply, as he and Pollardcaptain

”I'll tell you, in a few ood, sir,”