"Make her hum!" cried Pepper.
Slowly but surely the Skimmer crept up on the Rosebud, until the bow of the second craft overlapped the stern of the first.
"Not walking away so fast now, are you?" questioned Pepper, cheerily.
"Just wait, we'll beat you, see if we don't!" growled Coulter.
"Swing the mainsail over!" cried Ritter.
His order was obeyed, and the Rosebud commenced to pick up again. But the Skimmer kept on steadily, and at last, when the turning-point was reached, was several lengths ahead.
"Now for the homestretch!" cried Jack.
"I hope we win by about a mile!" was Andy's wish.
The turning-point was a well-known rock, and the Skimmer came around this in fine style. But, just as this was accomplished, Ritter allowed the Rosebud to swing around out of the proper course.
"Look out, you'll run us down!" yelled Fred, in alarm.