"Keep the wheel, Eph!" called the Young commander. "Steer as straight
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 trump
card, and play it as hard as you can! Though I'm afraid Rhinds has just
such a card in his own pack."

Then up to the platform deck hastened Jack Benson. He moved quietly to
the wheel, taking it from Eph. The young captain did not propose to
leave again until the race was over.

Soon after this something 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
Pollard moved forward to stand by the young captain.

"I'll tell you, in a few minutes, if our move seems to be any good, sir,"
Jack answered.

By four o'clock half the space between the Rhinds boat and the Pollard
craft had been covered. By this time two men were observed aft on the
"Zelda," their gaze turned steadily on the "Benson."

"Take the wheel for two or three minutes, Eph," begged the young captain,
on whom the strain was beginning to tell.