Dory could see that the Gildrocks were straining themselves to run away from the Winooski. The first class fellows were not so far off that he could not read the expression of their faces, and see the smiles of satisfaction with which they regarded their advantage. He permitted them to enjoy their victory, as they evidently regarded it, until they were at least twenty-five lengths ahead. Matt Randolph frequently looked behind him to note the position of his rival.
All at once the oars of the Gildrock ceased to move, but every blade was in proper position. Then came three rousing cheers from her crew, with a tiger at the end. This was certainly crowing over the victory: The Winooskis, except the coxswain, were vexed, and even angry. Some of them began to grumble again; but Dory laughed, and called for silence in the boat. The crew obeyed the order, for they had come to believe that Dory knew what he was about "every time."
His crew soon knew what he was about, for he straightened up his wiry little frame, and then began to sway it back and forward to regulate the stroke of the rowers. In a few minutes every muscle was strained up to its utmost tension. The Winooski began to fly through the water. There was quite a smart sea on the lake, which Dory took into account, and humored the boat as it met the waves.
The Gildrocks saw what Dory was doing, and Matt set his crew on the strain again. At the end of a quarter of an hour the Gildrock was less than a length ahead. The crew of the first class boat were in a terrible state of excitement. They could see the other boat, and the effect upon them was bad when the Winooski began to gain on them. The Gildrocks were demoralized.
In three minutes more the Winooski had passed the other barge.
"Stand by to toss!" said Dory quietly.
The complimentary salute was given, but the coxswain declined to call for three cheers.