"We'll be in less danger then."
Ned shifted the wheel, but, as he was doing so there was another shot
from the Monarch, and, this time, the ball from the cannon came
uncomfortably close.
"Their aim is improving," remarked Mr. De Vere, as he coolly looked at
the pursuing tug through the glasses, "but we are leaving them
behind."
The chase had now become a "stern" one, that is the Monarch was
directly astern of the Ripper, and the varying progresses made by the
boats could not be discerned so well as before. Still it seemed that
the motor boat was maintaining her lead.
It now settled down to a pursuit, for, stern on as she was, the Ripper
offered so small a mark for the tug, that it was almost useless to
fire the cannon.
There were anxious hearts aboard the motor boat, as they watched the
tug pursuing them. They knew there would be a fight if Blowitz and Mr.
De Vere met, and, in the latter's crippled condition, it was not hard
to imagine how it would result.
"How's she running, Ned?" asked Jerry, as he looked at the engine.
"Never better. She's singing like a bird. This is a dandy boat."
"I think we'll beat him," declared Mr. De Vere.
For an hour or more the chase continued, the Monarch seeming to gain
slowly. Mr. De Vere looked anxious, and kept his eyes fixed to the
binoculars, through which he viewed the pursuing vessel. At length,
however, a more cheerful look came into his face.
"Something has happened!" he exclaimed.
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