Donald was the first to come on board of the Penobscot, and was generously congratulated on his decisive victory, especially by Mr. Montague, the father of the commodore. Robert followed him soon after, and every one was curious to know what he would say and do.
"Don John, you have beaten me," exclaimed he, grasping the hand of Donald. "You have done it fairly and handsomely, and I am ready to give up the first prize to the Sea Foam."
The party in the cabin of the Penobscot heartily applauded the conduct of the commodore.
"You are very kind and generous, Bob," replied Donald, deeply moved by the magnanimity of the commodore.
"When I am whipped, I know it as well as the next man. The silver vase belongs to the Sea Foam."
"Not at all," protested Donald. "This last race was not for the vase, and you won the first one fairly."
"Of course the vase belongs to the commodore," added Rodman. "The judges have already awarded and presented the prizes."
This was the unanimous sentiment of all concerned, and Robert consented to retain the first prize.
"I say, Don John," continued the commodore, removing his wet coat and cap, "I want to have an understanding about the affair. While I own that the Skylark has been beaten, I am not so clear that the Sea Foam is the faster boat of the two."
"I think she is, commodore," laughed Donald; "though I believe I understand your position."
"We made an even thing of it till we came up with Turtle Head--didn't we?"
"Yes, that's so. If either gained anything for the moment, he lost it again," replied Donald.
"Then, if we made exactly the same time to Turtle Head, it seems to me the merits of the two boats are about the same."
"Not exactly, commodore. You forgot that the Skylark has to give time to the Sea Foam--one and three-tenths seconds per mile; or about eight seconds from here to the Head."
"That's next to nothing," laughed Robert. "But I was a length ahead of you."
"I let you gain that, so that I could go to windward of you."
"You made your first point by running nearer to the rocks than I like to go, by which you cut off a little of the distance; and inches counted in so close a race."
"That's part of the game in sailing a race."
"I know that, and it's all perfectly fair. I lost half my time when the squall came. I thought it was going to be heavier than it proved to be."