“Guess we wouldn’t have much chance with him in the race,” observed Bob.
“Oh I don’t know,” Jerry said. “The Dartaway is a pretty fast boat. I’ll not give up until we’re beaten.”
The boys found Deer Island a pleasant place to camp. There were no parties on it yet, though it was big enough for several. There was a natural harbor, in a little cove, and some one had built a small dock, and a boathouse, with merely a roof and no sides, where the Dartaway could be kept.
“Say, this is all right,” commented Ned. “This is going to be jolly sport.”
The boys spent a busy morning. They set up the tent, made up the cots, and took the gasolene stove ashore, as they decided to do their cooking on land rather than in the boat, where quarters were not any too large. This done they found they had their appetites with them, and proceeded to make a meal off canned stuff.
In the afternoon Mr. Smith came over with the entry blanks, which the boys signed. Then, at their new friend’s suggestion, they followed him over the course, a triangular one of three miles to each leg. Mr. Smith showed them where the stake buoys were, and told them there was a clear course, and plenty of water all around.
The day of the regatta could not have been better had it been made to order. There was enough of a breeze to make sailing a pleasure, but not enough to make the water rough. One after another the different events were run off until it came time for the motor boat contest.
There were ten craft entered, and a pretty sight they made as they came up to the starting line. Some of the boats were small and were given a time allowance, while the larger ones were handicapped. Mr. Smith’s boat, having the reputation, as the boys learned, of being the fastest on the lake was held back ten minutes. The Dartaway with Jerry steering was placed on “scratchy” time, that is starting off with the five boats judged to be about on an even footing as regarded speed.
At the signal off went the boats having a time allowance. Then the five, including the Dartaway, got off together. Behind it came three rated higher than the Cresville boys’ craft, and then the Giant, a big boat, but with a smaller engine than the Tortoise’s. Last came Mr. Smith’s craft, and what a noise she made when her captain, who, with two friends was running her, threw in the high speed gear.
The race was on. Several power boats that had not entered followed the contestants. The Judge’s boat was also going part way over the course. At the two outer buoys were stationed markers to see that the boats kept fairly to the course.