CHAPTER XI

THE STRAIN OF RED-HOT METAL


First over the line passed the "Zelda," but it was a fair get-away. How
her propellers churned the foam now!

Just as it happened, and through no fault of handling, Jack Benson got
the Pollard craft over the line third. At the outset, therefore, his
boat was distanced some twenty-four seconds by the leader.

"Steady, now!" called Jacob Farnum, in low tones. "We've six hours in
which to make up a few seconds."

If Captain Jack heard, he gave no sign.

For the next few minutes the youthful commander seemed to forget
everything but the wheel under his hand, and the course and speed of the
craft he commanded.

That the "Benson" was slowly losing was not, at first, clear to anyone
on board. It took time to draw out the increasing lead of the other
craft, but, after a while, it became more and more evident.

True, the "Benson" was second in the line--but the "Zelda" was first.