Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/346

 We could remain but a few minutes. During these, however, Reva found opportunity to telephone home our whereabouts in case we should be late. On the course I was now obliged to adopt, so as to save time, the rapidly descending sun shone full in our faces. It was probably for that reason that I did not observe what, observed sooner, might yet have afforded us a chance. It was Reva first observed it. She had been turning, at intervals, to view the splendid spectacle behind us; while I was obliged to keep my eyes ahead.

"Ismar," she almost whispered, "is the current too much for us? We seem to be making scarcely any headway."

At this time we were perhaps a mile north of Grand Isle. Even when I saw for myself that Reva's observation was correct, I was not so much startled as surprised. The current must be indeed strong to nearly neutralize the speed of a boat able to make fifteen miles an hour in still water. Turning out of this current would cause some slight delay, that was all.

I accordingly slightly altered our course, and was now for the first time really alarmed. The boat seemed to have hardly steerage-way. Hastily I examined the gauge that served to indicate the amount of available electric force in the reservoir. With difficulty I repressed a groan. The gauge indicated almost zero. The stored-up energy had been dissipated during the long courses made by the boat that day, mostly at a high rate of speed. One more experienced in the use of such machines would have thought of this, and seen to the reservoir being recharged. What was I but an ignorant savage, was my bitter reflec-