"Not more than one and a half, Mr. Norwood. Neither yacht has to give the other time, and what we gain belongs to us."
"I should have thought we were at least five minutes ahead of her."
"No, sir. Now we have a chance to manoeuvre a little," added Donald. "I know just what the commodore will do; he will stand on this tack, when he gets round the buoy, till he is almost up with Brigadier Island; then he will make a long stretch. I shall not do so."
"Why not?"
"Because, if the wind lessens, he will get under the lee of the land. I shall go just one mile on this tack," replied Donald. "Have you any rubber coats on board, Sam?"
"I have only two."
"You will want them, for we are beginning to toss the spray about, as though it didn"t cost anything."
It was decidedly damp on the deck of the Maud, for the water thrown up by the waves, dashing against the weather bow, was carried by the gusty wind to the standing-room, drenching those who sat there. Donald and his companions had no fear of salt water, and were just as happy wet to the skin, as they were when entirely dry, for the excitement was quite enough to keep them warm, even in a chill, north-west wind. Half way across to Brigadier Island, Donald gave the order, "Ready about," and tacked. As he had predicted, Commodore Montague continued on his course, almost over to the island, and then came about. The Maud rushed furiously on her long stretch, dashing the spray recklessly over her deck, till she was almost up with the Northport sh.o.r.e, when she tacked again, and laid her course to windward of the judges" yacht, as the regulations required. As she rounded the Pen.o.bscot, a gun announced the arrival of the first yacht. The Maud let off her sheets, and pa.s.sed under the stern of the judges" craft.
"The Maud!" shouted Donald, enraptured with his victory.
Four minutes and thirty-four seconds later, the gun announced the arrival of the Skylark. It was all of twenty minutes later when the Sea Foam arrived, and half an hour before the Phantom put in an appearance.
There was not a shadow of a doubt that the Maud had won the great race.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE HASBROOK OUTRAGE AND OTHER MATTERS.
The Maud went round to the line, and after picking up her tender and moorings, anch.o.r.ed near the Pen.o.bscot.
"There is no doubt now which boat has won the race," said Mr. Norwood.
"None whatever, sir," replied Donald. "The day is ours by as fair a race as ever was sailed. The Maud proved what she could do before we got to Turtle Head; and all the conditions were exactly equal up to that time.
If I made anything by manoeuvring, it was only when we tacked a mile north of the Head. We have beaten her squarely in a heavy wind; but how she would do compared with the Skylark in a light breeze, is yet to be proved."
"I am satisfied, Don John; and I give you the job to build the Alice, for that is to be the name of Frank"s yacht."
"Thank you, sir. I suppose you don"t expect to get her out this season."
"No; if he has her by the first of June of next year, it will be soon enough.--I hope you are satisfied with the Maud, Sam," added Mr.
Norwood, turning to the owner of the winning craft.
"I ought to be, and I am," replied Rodman.
"You have the fastest yacht in the fleet."
"She won"t be when I sail her. The commodore will clean me out every time, if Don John is not at the helm."
"Then there is a capital opportunity for you to improve in the art of sailing a yacht."
"Plenty of room for that," laughed Rodman.
d.i.c.k Adams brought the tender alongside, and pulled Mr. Norwood, Rodman, and Donald to the Pen.o.bscot.
"I congratulate you, Don John," said Mr. Montague, extending his hand to the boat-builder. "You have won the race handsomely."
"Thank you, sir."
"It is a double triumph to you, since you both built your yacht, and sailed her," added Mr. Montague.
"It is worth a good deal to me in a business point of view; for I get a job to build another yacht by it. The firm of Ramsay & Son can"t afford to have their boats beaten," laughed Donald. "Here comes Robert."
"I suppose he will not be satisfied with the Skylark, now that she has been so thoroughly whipped," added the commodore"s father.
"Perfectly satisfied with her, father. She is as good a boat as she ever was," answered Robert, as he gave his hand to Donald. "You have won the race fairly and handsomely, Don John; and I congratulate you upon your success."
"I thank you, Bob; but I would rather have beaten any other fellow than you," replied Donald.
"I can stand it as well as anybody."
The ladies and gentlemen on board of the Pen.o.bscot congratulated the hero of the occasion, and condoled with the commodore, till the last of the fleet arrived. The judges filled out the schedule with the corrected time.
"Captain Rodman, of the Maud," said the chairman; and the owner of the winning yacht stepped forward. "It appears from the schedule that you have made the shortest time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the first prize."
"Thank you, sir," replied Rodman, accepting the envelope, which contained the prize of one hundred dollars; "but as it appears that Donald Ramsay sailed the Maud, as well as built her, I shall have the pleasure of presenting it to him."
A round of hearty applause followed this little speech, which ended in three cheers for the captain of the Maud, and three more for her builder.
"I can"t take that," said Donald, declining to receive the envelope.
"But you must take it. I will hand you over to Mr. Deputy Sheriff Beardsley, who, I see, is coming up the bay in the Juno."
"It don"t belong to me. I am not the owner of the Maud," protested Donald.
"Take it! take it!" shouted one and another of the interested spectators, until nearly all of them had expressed their opinion in this way.
Thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope, though his pride revolted.
"Commodore Montague, it appears that the Skylark made the next best time, and I have the pleasure of presenting to you the second prize."
"Which I devote to the club for the building fund."
The members heartily applauded this disposal of the money.
"I will give the other prize to the club for the same purpose," added Donald.
"Impossible!" exclaimed Commodore Montague. "The fund is completed, and the donation cannot be accepted."
"No! No!" shouted the members.