“This is as fine a breeze as anybody would want,” declared Pepper, as the Alice went out to take her position for the race.
“There is Mr. Ford’s yacht,” came from Andy. “The girls are on board and so are Mr. and Mrs. Ford and some others.”
“I’ll sail past them,” said Jack, and did so. All aboard the rich man’s craft waved their handkerchiefs at the cadets.
“I hope you win!” shouted Laura.
“So do I!” added Flossie.
“We’ll do our best!” answered the young major, and then sailed out of hearing distance.
The Ajax was already on hand and in a few minutes more the Neptune hove in sight. Both of the boats were in the pink of condition and caused a murmur of admiration as they moved majestically down to the starting position.
“I can tell yez wan thing,” said Hogan, who was in a small boat with several others. “Jack has his work cut out for him this day, so he has!”
“Yes, the other boats will surely give him a hard push for first place,” returned Bart Conners.
“Oh, the Alice has got to win!” cried Harry Blossom, enthusiastically.