"What's the matter with them?" Jack demanded, taking the steering
wheel from Cora. "They seem to own the lake."
No sooner had he said this than the big boat came so close to the
smaller craft that a huge wave swept over the small forward deck and
instantly the colored lights went out, being drenched. For a moment
every one seemed stunned! The shock to the Petrel was as if she had
been suddenly dipped into the depths of the lake. But as quickly as
it happened just as quickly was it righted, and the offending boat
steamed off majestically, as if it had merely bowed to an old
acquaintance.
"What do you think of that!" exclaimed Walter, indignantly.
"I think a lot of it," replied Ed, "but the captain of that steamer
would not likely want to see my thoughts."
"Small trick," declared Jack, "Even if he had the right to pass us
so close, common lake manners obliged him to give in to the smaller
boat."
"The lights are both out," Cora said anxiously.
"Well, we are almost to shore," Jack replied, "and it won't be worth
while to stop here. We can light up again when we get in."
This seemed reasonable enough and so they sailed along.
"Hello!" exclaimed Walter, "is this another boat trying the same
trick?"
A launch was steering very dose to the Petrel. The lights were
conspicuously bright, and the engine ran almost noiselessly.
"What is it?" asked Jack, seeing that the captain wanted to speak
with some one.
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