“Who won?” called George.
Mr. Maxwell turned and looked at the speaker sorrowfully. “No one,” he said.
“No one,” exclaimed George. “Why, how can that be?”
“Couldn’t it be a tie?” asked Fred quietly.
“Why, yes, of course. I hadn’t planned for a tie though.”
“I declare the race a tie,” announced the judge solemnly. “If either boat was ahead of the other, I’m sure I didn’t see it, and I wouldn’t dare call it anything else.”
The racers had turned around and were now making their way slowly back. All four of the boys were well nigh exhausted, but they were smiling nevertheless.
“Who won?” called Thomas, for they had not heard the judge’s verdict.
“It was a tie,” said George.
“A tie?” exclaimed Grant, his face falling. “That’s bad.”