They had passed the spot where the mishap had occurred to the Ajax and were now heading directly for Borden’s Cove. Soon the Alice began to crawl up and presently passed the Ajax. Those on Jack’s craft gave a cheer.
“You can’t beat the Alice, Fred!”
“If you want a tow we’ll throw you a rope!”
“Wait, this race isn’t over yet!” called Fred, and swung his tiller over a little. At once his sloop began to move faster, and soon the two craft were side by side again. And this position they kept until the Cove was gained and the race had come to an end.
“We’ll have to call it a tie!” declared the young major.
“A tie it is,” answered the owner of the Ajax. “But some day I’ll beat you yet,” he added, with a determined shake of his head.
“Well, I’d rather be beat by you than anybody else on this lake, Fred,” said Jack.
“Thank you, that’s a nice thing to say.”
“I mean it.”
“I believe you, Jack, and I’d rather come in behind the Alice than behind any other sloop,” added Fred. “My opinion is that our boats are both crackerjacks.”