It was hard work, and it might seem that three boys could not accomplish it. But it is well known that once a large and heavy body is started in motion in water, a slight force will keep it going. It was so in this case.
At first the three lads tugged and strained on the oars to little advantage. The whale did not move. But finally persistance told, and the inert body began to slide through the waves. After that it was but a matter of keeping at it.
“Oh, we’ll get home before dark I guess,” remarked Andy, when they had rowed in silence for half an hour.
“If we don’t we’ll be in for it when we do arrive,” prophesied Frank half dubiously. “Let’s see if we can’t get up a little more steam.”
They quickened their strokes, and soon the coast line came into view, having been hidden by mist. Then they headed for the stretch of sand of their home town.
“Where shall we land it?” asked Frank, nodding at the whale, floating astern.
“Oh, a little way up from the big pier will be a good place, I guess,” decided Bob. “It’s deep water close in to shore there, and we’ll have to get the body stranded where the tide won’t carry it off. Besides, if we sell it to the fertilizer factory that’s the best place for them to come after it.”
To this the Racer boys agreed, and by hard work they managed to reach the beach before dark, towing the whale in as close to shore as possible.
Their arrival was soon noticed by the people of Harbor View and as word of what they had captured spread, a large throng soon gathered on the beach.
“A whale! Good land, what will them Racer boys do next?” one woman wanted to know. No one took the trouble to answer her.