Sharply and swiftly both boats made
the turn and then, with the Varmint II still leading by nearly
ten feet, the second course was begun.
Sam had taken his position directly behind Fred. He seldom spoke
to the excited boy, who was handling the wheel with marvelous
skill.
"We can turn on more power," suggested Fred.
"We don't want any more now," replied Sam. "Just hold her as she
is."
The wind was slightly stronger than it had been a few minutes
before and the spray dashed more frequently over the crews of
both boats. Somehow the two racing motor-boats had now drawn in
so that they were nearer each other by at least two yards than
they had been at the start.
When still holding the same relative position the two swiftly
moving boats passed the Caledonia on which Fred's grandfather was
the guest of the Stevens', there were several prolonged blasts of
the whistle and numerous loud calls from Mr. Button as well as
from Miss Susie for the Black Growler to overtake her rival. The
sounds, however, were all lost upon the Go Ahead boys whose
attention now was centered upon the boat immediately in front of
them.
Sam was complacent and apparently confident, but his feelings
were not shared by his young friends. To them it seemed as if
their efforts to cut down the distance by which the Varmint II
was leading were vain. The speed of the two boats apparently was
equal.
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