in a while
Dick Davis or Ab Perkins had the operator on the freighter flash back
a wireless message of a friendly, personal nature. Joe answered all
these.

For thirty-six hours this pleasant stern-chase lasted. By night the
helmsman of the "Restless" kept the searchlight enough in use to make
sure that the drab boat did not appear.

"Dalton and Lemly lost the 'Glide,' if they were looking for her, in
the fog," chuckled Halstead, in huge satisfaction. "Any Rio-bound boat
they can catch now is hopelessly to the rear of the 'Glide,' I
reckon."

Joe, by wiring back, and asking other wireless vessels to relay, from
time to time, had ascertained that there was no other steam vessel,
bound for Rio, in close pursuit.

Mr. Seaton took his trick at the wheel occasionally. So did Hepton.
Joe gave most of his time to the wireless installation, though he
maintained charge of the motors, Hank doing most of the work there.
All had sleep enough during the cruise south. Joe used some of his
spare time in carrying out his former plan of connecting the wireless
table with the helmsman by means of a speaking tube.

They were well down the coast of Florida when even anxious Powell
Seaton declared that there was no need of cruising longer in the wake
of the "Glide." He felt certain that the freighter had entirely eluded
the vigilance of those on board the drab boat.

By this time the supply of gasoline was nearly out. Tom had cautioned
the charter-man that so long a run would use up about the last of
their oil. There was, however, a small sail fitted to the signal mast.
Now, when the crew of the "Restless" turned back, the sail was hoisted
and power shut off.

"We've oil enough to run perhaps three-quarters of an hour, sir," the
young skipper explained. "We'll have to use that up in making port
when we get in sight."

Sailing aboard the "Restless" proved lazy work at the outset. With
this small sail there was not wind enough to carry the boat at much
more than two miles per hour on her northwest course for the nearest
Florida town where gasoline was likely to be had.

"We'll have a jolly long sail of it," laughed Skipper Tom, "unless the
wind should freshen."

"Well, we don't care," smiled Mr. Seaton. "At least, you won't be
overworked. And our minds are easier--mine especially."

"All of us have easier minds," Halstead retorted. "Don't you
understand, sir, that the rest of us have taken this whole business to
heart? We cou