Three minutes later the Dartaway had regained the lead she had at the start, and thirty seconds later had increased it. With two big waves rolling away on either side of her cut-water she forged ahead. Foot by foot she approached the stake boat. With one last look back, which showed him the Tortoise five lengths to the rear, Jerry with a final turn of the wheel to clear the judges’ boat safely, [sent the Dartaway over the line a winner].
[CHAPTER XXII]
THE COLLISION
What shouting and cheers greeted the motor boys as they slowed up their craft! The din was deafening, augmented as it was by the shrill whistles. The Tortoise, too, was received with an ovation as she came over the line second, but it was easy to see the victory of the smaller boat was popular.
“Congratulations, boys!” called Mr. Smith as he run his craft alongside. “You beat me fair and square.”
He did not refer to the fact that one of his cylinders went out of commission, but for which fact he undoubtedly would have won. The boys appreciated this.
The boys accepted their victory modestly, and when they were sent for to go aboard the judges’ boat and get the prize Bob was for backing out, while neither Ned nor Jerry felt much like going through the ceremony.
“Tell ’em to send it over,” suggested Bob.