. "It won't do any harm to
try it. We will have her head put due west. I see that we are running
about S. S. W. now. If they change their course it will be pretty
conclusive evidence that it is purpose and not chance that keeps them in
our wake."

"Mr. Berwick," said the professor, "the wind is light and fitful,
suppose we add steam to our propelling force. Give us all the speed you
can, and we will see if we can't shake them off."

"All right, sir," replied the engineer, going toward the engine room. "I
will do my very best to get all the speed there is in her."

An hour later the throbbing of the engine, as the pressure was gradually
increased, was felt throughout the vessel. Like a spirited steed with a
bit in her teeth, and at the snap of the whip the vessel darted forward,
plunging through the long rolling waves, and leaving behind her a white
wake that curved like a bow as her prow was turned to the west.

The group on the after deck of the Storm King watched with interest the
course of the other vessel, which was now being rapidly distanced, would
pursue.

"Hurrah!" cried Tom. "We are leaving her behind."

"But she is getting up more steam," observed Jo, as a thickening volume
of smoke poured from her funnel.

"She is following us, too," cried Tom a little later. "She evidently
likes company."

It was evident from the change in her course that the Marjorie was bent
on keeping near the Storm King.

"She is just like some people," went on Tom. "She doesn't wait for an
invitation, she is coming along, too."

The Storm King, under a full head of steam was rolling off the knots,
and increasing the distance from the Marjorie.

"If we can keep this up," said Tom, joyfully, "she will soon be hull
down."

"If we had a nigger to put on the safety valve," said the professor.

"A nigger on the safety valve," questioned Tom, "I don't understand."

"Why they say that on the Mississippi river when they have a race on,
they put a negro on the safety valve to keep it down when the pressure
gets so high as to blow it off at the regular set weight."

"But that must be dangerous," objected Tom.

"Of course, it is," laughed the professor, "but nobody cared for danger
where there was a race on."

But in the meantime the Marjorie was once more picking up the distance
and growing more distinct. For three or more hours the race went on, but
the Marjorie regained and then maintained her relative distance, and the
pro