“Well, I think the breeze is freshening,” said Pepper. “Just look down the lake.”
They did as directed and saw that he was right, for the water was beginning to show numerous whitecaps and ripples. The Alice rounded Cat Point, the mainsail was thrown over, and they started for Borden’s Cove with the rival sloop more than a quarter of a mile in the lead.
“I don’t believe we can catch up to that boat even if the wind does freshen,” remarked Dale, soberly. “She’s got too much of a lead.”
“Here comes the breeze!” shouted Pepper, and he was right, the wind had freshened as if by magic, and at once the sloop bounded forward at an increased speed, cutting the water like a thing of life and sending a shower of spray over all those on board.
“Hi! I didn’t come out for a shower-bath!” yelled Pepper.
“Got to stand for it, though,” answered Jack, with a grin. “All for the glory of the cause, you know.”
The breeze kept increasing, and this caused the Alice to heel well over on her side. This made Paul a little bit anxious.
“Hadn’t we better take in some sail?” he ventured. “We don’t want to be dumped into the lake.”
“Not yet,” answered Jack. “It will have to blow harder than this to send the Alice over. There is a whole lot of lead in her keel.”
With the increase in the wind the Alice kept gaining slowly but surely on the Ajax, and this gladdened the heart of the youthful owner. He looked ahead and saw that Fred Century was gazing back anxiously on the rival that was coming nearer.