“Well, he can have it if he catches up to us,” Jerry responded. “I’m not going to race otherwise. The Dartaway is not in her best trim, and she may get beaten. Then we’ll get the name of having a slow boat. We’ll have a regular race later, when we are in better shape,” and he put on a little more speed.
Still from behind came the cry over the water:
“Come back! Come back!”
“Oh, cut it out!” exclaimed Bob as he felt the salt wind and spray in his face. “We can’t bother with you. We’re out for a good time. Catch us if you can!”
“Isn’t this glorious!” exclaimed Ned. “Say, but I’m glad we came!”
The Dartaway had increased her speed considerably and was fairly flying through the water. The boys could no longer hear the hailing of the lone man in the boat behind, though they could still see him coming after them.
“Guess if he wants a race he’ll feel sort of discouraged,” Jerry remarked, as he put the wheel over a bit to meet an oncoming wave.
“Funny sort of a chap,” said Bob. “Thinks we ought to stop for him, I s’pose.”
The craft was now approaching one of the two points of land which enclosed the cove of Harmon Beach. The wind, which had been blowing quite strongly, increased in volume and the water became a little rougher. Still there had been just as much disturbance on Lake Cantoga, where the boys had cut their eye teeth in running a boat, and they were not alarmed.
It was getting dusk now, and, off to the east there was a curious haze hanging over the water. Jerry, who was peering sharply ahead, remarked: