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Rh The news was true, the steam yacht was indeed running away from the Josephine and from those in the rowboats who had set out to take possession of her. It was a time of great excitement.

"The rowboats are getting close to the Rainbow," said Tom, who had taken the glass. "The yacht doesn't seem to have much steam up."

"Perhaps the fires were banked when Carey left," suggested the captain. "Maybe they were put out, so the vessel couldn't move."

The steam yacht was moving slowly and those in the two rowboats were making every effort to catch up to her. Then the black smoke began to pour from the funnel of the Josephine.

"The other vessel is getting up steam," said Mr. Rover. "She may catch the Rainbow even if those in the rowboats do not."

Closer and closer to the steam yacht drew the two rowboats, until it looked as if the Rainbow would surely be boarded by the enemy. Then of a sudden there came a cloud of smoke from the deck of the steam yacht, followed by a stream of sparks which went whizzing just over the rowboats. Then followed more sparks, and balls of fire, red, white and blue.

"What in the world are they doing?" murmured Captain Barforth.