"It's a race between Conchs and Yankees," said Jan Jansen to Mark.

"What are Conchs?" asked the boy.

"Why, those fellows in the other boats. Most of them come from the
Bahama Islands, and all Bahamians are called 'Conchs,' because
they eat so many of the shell-fish of that name."

"Well, I'll bet on the Yankees!" cried Mark.

"So will I," said the Swede. "Yankee baked beans and brown bread
make better muscle than fish, which is about all the fellows down
this way get to live on."

As seen from the deck of the schooner, the race had by this time
become very exciting; for, as their boat approached the wreck on
one side, another, manned by red-shirted wreckers, who were
exhibiting a wonderful amount of pluck and endurance for "Conchs,"
as Jan called them, was rapidly coming up on the other. It was
hard to tell which was the nearer; and while Mark shouted in his
excitement, Mrs. Elmer and Ruth waved their handkerchiefs, though
their friends were too far away to be encouraged by either the
shouts or wavings.

At last "Captain Li's" boat dashed up alongside the wreck, and
almost at the same instant the wrecker's boat disappeared from
view on the opposite side.

With their glasses, those on the schooner saw their captain go up