take was turned.

This time, however, each boat held to its course and the danger of a
collision was avoided. Sharply and swiftly both boats made the turn and
then, with the Varmint II still leading by nearly ten feet, the second
course was begun.

Sam had taken his position directly behind Fred. He seldom spoke to the
excited boy, who was handling the wheel with marvelous skill.

"We can turn on more power," suggested Fred.

"We don't want any more now," replied Sam. "Just hold her as she is."

The wind was slightly stronger than it had been a few minutes before
and the spray dashed more frequently over the crews of both boats.
Somehow the two racing motor-boats had now drawn in so that they were
nearer each other by at least two yards than they had been at the start.

When still holding the same relative position the two swiftly moving
boats passed the Caledonia on which Fred's grandfather was the guest of
the Stevens', there were several prolonged blasts of the whistle and
numerous loud calls from Mr. Button as well as from Miss Susie for the
Black Growler to overtake her rival. The sounds, however, were all lost
upon the Go Ahead boys whose attention now was centered upon the boat
immediately in front of them.

Sam was complacent and apparently confident, but his feelings were not
shared by his young friends. To them it seemed as if their efforts to
cut down the distance by which the Varmint II was leading were vain.
The speed of the two boats apparently was equal. The bows alike flung
the water far from either side while the stern of each boat appeared to
be almost buried in the midst of the seething, boiling, rushing water.

Far behind them in a long line stretched out the other contestants.
There was slight interest in the race now except between the two
leading boats, one or the other of which seemed to be certain of the
prize.

Apparently the narrow escape from an accident when the turn had been
made in the preceding lap had made the crew of each boat more cautious.
At all events neither tried to cut in very far upon the other and even
on the home stretch in the second lap neither had gained any advantage
upon the other.

"It looks as if it was all up," exclaimed George dolefully.

"Never you mind," said Sam. "If we can hold them where they are I think
we can do a little better on the home stretch than they can."

"But they may be planning the same thing," protested Fred.

"You just give your att