This was a five-mile race and had several entrants. The affair
was a handicap one and Tom had no reason to complain of the rating
allowed him.
"Crack!" went the starting pistol and away went Tom and one or two
others who had the same allowance as did he. A little later the
others started and finally the last class, including Andy Foger.
The RED STREAK shot ahead and was soon in the lead, for Andy and
Sam had learned better how to handle their craft. Tom and Mr.
Sharp were worried, but they stuck grimly to the race and when the
turning stake was reached Tom's motor had so warmed up and was
running so well that he crept up on Andy. A mile from the final
mark Andy and Tom were on even terms, and though the red-haired
lad tried to shake off his rival he could not. Andy's ignition
system failed him several times and he changed from batteries to
magneto and back again in the hope of getting a little more speed
out of the motor.
But it was not to be. A half-mile away from the finish Tom, who
had fallen behind a little, crept up on even terms. Then he
slowly forged ahead, and, a hundred rods from the stake, the young
inventor knew that the race was his. He clinched it a few minutes
later, crossing the line amid a burst of cheers. The ARROW had
beaten several boats out of her own class and Tom was very proud
and happy.
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