“That means us!” laughed Bully Joe.
“Just wait and see!” answered Josh; between whom and Joe there had always been more or less bad blood.
Herb had given his staunch engine all it could stand; and as the Tramp stood by him, they were soon left far in the lurch.
“Talk to me about speed,” observed Herb, as Jack turned his face that way, “strikes me the Wireless has her work cut out for today, to beat Clarence.”
“You heard what he said about the improvement made when at the machinist’s. It was a knot an hour increase, I believe,” Jack remarked, casting a look down at the throbbing motor of the Tramp.
“That’s right,” Herb spoke up. “But you know we did some tinkering to George’s engine, and he has always said that it ran better afterwards. Anyhow, it looks like a pretty race.”
“I think so with you, Herb,” Jack admitted. “Judging from here, they’re running neck and neck now.”
“Yes,” continued the other, “but don’t forget that tricky Clarence is always up to something. Two to one he’s got a bit more speed held in reserve.”
“Well, George knows him like a book,” laughed Jack. “And make up your mind he’ll keep something held back himself. Don’t you remember he did before? Possibly Clarence may be the one to run up against a surprise after a while.”
As the racers drew farther and farther away, those in the other boats began to think of other things. None of them had half the interest in the outcome of the rivalry as did George. With him there were many old accounts to square; and he meant to make a good job of it, if he had his way about the matter.