Explore "Under the Mikado's Flag" by Edward Stratemeyer on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
As the big warship came nearer and nearer those on board of the sailboat increased their cries. But the large vessel was doing all in her power to back water, and could do no more. She had been running at her highest rate of speed and her headway was therefore tremendous.
The only thoroughly cool men on the _O-Taka_ were the captain and the steersman, the latter a salt of many years' experience. The former issued orders with rapidity, and the steersman obeyed "on the jump. " Then the sailors were ordered to shift one of the sails, and just as the warship was almost upon them, the sailboat sheered off sharply to one side; and the danger was over.