Before long the island was reached, and the Rovers rounded it a length and a half ahead. This made Jerry Koswell frantic, and he called on Larkspur to increase the stroke.
"All right, I'm with you," was the short answer.
The increase in the stroke speedily told, and inch by inch the second boat began to overhaul the first Then Tom made a miss, sending a shower of water into the air. At this the craft containing Koswell and Larkspur shot ahead.
"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled Flockley in delight. "Even money on the green boat!"
"Take you," answered Spud Jackson promptly. "How much?"
"A fiver."
"All right."
"Steady, Tom," cautioned Dick. "Now, then Ready?"
"Yes."
"Then bend to it. One, two, three, four."