As the two boats drew near the finish the excitement on board
each apparently was shared by the spectators. The calls and
screams and cries redoubled, while the blasts of the whistles
were added to the deafening noise. Swiftly and steadily and yet
side by side the boats swept forward. To the anxious boys it did
not appear that there was any distance between them. Do what they
might the Go Ahead boys were unable to increase the speed of
their racing motor-boat, which now seemed to be almost below the
surface so low was it lying in the water.
The Caledonia meanwhile had moved closer to the line and the
excitement on her deck was keener than that on any other boat in
the assembly. If Fred's attention had not been so strongly
centered upon his task he might have seen his grandfather running
back and forth near the rail, his hat in one hand and his cane
held midway in the other, shouting in his loudest tones to his
grandson to "put on more power and win that race."
Miss Susie already had lost much of her ability to shout. Her
voice rose scarcely above a whisper.
Of all these things, however, the Go Ahead boys were ignorant
when the two boats swept across the line.
Even those who were on board were not able to say positively
which had won the cup.
"That is the worst finish I have ever seen in a race," said Fred
to his friends when the Black Growler in a wide semi-circle
turned from the course.
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