"But where is the other? One of them is getting badly beaten," added Rodman.
"I don't believe it is. It is so thick we can't make her out, but her sails look very white. I think it is the Sea Foam."
"There's the other!" exclaimed Norwood, as the Skylark was dimly perceived in the distance.
"She is half a mile astern. It is a bad beat for one of them."
"That's so; and if it is the Sea Foam, I shall want to throw up the contract for the Maud," said Rodman.
"There is one thing about it; both of those craft are good sea boats, and if they can carry whole jib and mainsail in this blow, they are just the right kind of yachts for me. I like an able boat, even if she don't win any prizes. Give me a stiff boat before a fast one."
"I should like to have mine both stiff and fast."
"Look at the Christabel. She went round the course with a reef in the fore and main sails, and was beaten at that," added Norwood. "Here comes the head boat. It is the Skylark, as sure as you live."
"Not much, Frank. Do you see her figure-head? Is it a bird?" demanded Rodman, triumphantly.
This was exciting news, and Sam Rodman walked rapidly to the companion-way of the Penobscot.
"Yachts in sight!" shouted he to the people below.
"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Miss Nellie Patterdale.
Mr. Montague and Captain Patterdale only laughed, but they were sufficiently interested to go on deck in spite of the pouring rain, and they were followed by many others.
"Time!" shouted Sam Rodman, as the gun was fired.
"Four, thirty-two, ten," added Frank Norwood; and the figures were entered upon the schedule.
The Sea Foam passed the judges' yacht, came about, and went under her stern.
Though the spectators were not all satisfied with the result, they gave three cheers to the victorious yacht, magnanimously led off by Mr. Montague himself.
"Time!" called Sam, as the Skylark came into the range of the chimney on shore.
"Four, thirty-six, twelve," said Norwood.
The Skylark came about, and passed under the stern of the Penobscot, reporting her name. The judges went below, and figured out the result, by which it appeared that the Sea Foam had beaten the Skylark, after the correction for the three inches' difference in length, by three minutes fifty-nine and four tenths seconds.