“Only an inch! Only an inch!” Jerry whispered under his breath. “Only an inch and we can beat ’em!”
Then, whether it was that the Dartaway heard the cry and responded, or whether the Snail’s engine went back on the boat, no one could tell, but the Dartaway shot ahead, several inches. There was an exultant cheer from the three boys. There was a corresponding groan from those on the Snail. There was a great shout from the spectators.
An instant later the Dartaway crossed the line a winner.
What a shrill tooting of whistles there was! What a chorus of shouts and yells! What a sound of gasolene engines exploding on all sides to add to the din.
Bang! it was a cannon on the Three Bells, fired in honor of the victor.
Bang! spoke the Dartaway’s ordnance in reply.
Then there were more cheers and yells. Jerry, in answer to a signal, slowed down his craft and put it over to the Three Bells, where the judges were. The Snail followed.
“A good race and well managed,” said Captain Jenkinson. “I thought you boys were out of it when your engine stopped. How did you manage it?”
Jerry told him of the extra batteries, and was congratulated for his forethought.
“You certainly have a fine boat,” the captain of the Snail said, as he shook hands with Jerry and his chums. “You beat us fairly and squarely.”