Page:Barbour--Lost island.djvu/205

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LOST ISLAND

vring his tug around all the time. "There is n't a tug in these waters with more powerful engines than the Dolphin, and now Jim Cross dare n't set 'em going at full speed, because he knows he'd bust the cable. A ship that size is a tough proposition to haul along in calm weather, but when you 've got both sea and wind running against you it takes a proper cable to stand the strain. He's playing foxy now, going easy till the wind shifts."

By this time the Mary Ellen was within hailing distance of the Dolphin.

"Want any help!" Grummitt bawled through a megaphone.

"No, thanks." The words came back faintly, almost drowned in the gale. At the same time the Dolphin began to forge ahead.

"We 'll see," commented Grummitt. For five minutes he kept going, a trifle astern of the tug, until a savage swirl of wind caught the sailing ship simultaneously with a hungry wave. The

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