so as to drive the boat backward. Altogether the RED STREAK was
a very fine boat and had cost considerably more than had Tom's,
even when the latter was new. All these things the young owner
of the ARROW thought of as he steered his craft over the course.

"I hardly think I can win," Tom remarked to himself in a whisper.
"His boat is too speedy for this one. I have a chance, though,
for his engine is new, and I don't believe he understands it as
well as I do mine. Then, too, I am sure I have a better ignition
system."

But if Tom had any immediate hopes of defeating Andy, they were
doomed to disappointment, for about two minutes after the race
started the RED STREAK forged slowly ahead.

"Come on!" cried the red-haired lad. "I thought you wanted a
race."

"I do," answered the young inventor. "We're a long way from the
dock yet, and we've got to come back."

"You'll be out of it by the time I get to the dock," declared
Andy.

Indeed it began to look so, for the auto boat was now a full
length ahead of Tom's craft and there was open water between them.
But our hero knew a thing or two about racing, though he had not
long been a motor-boat owner. He adjusted the automatic oiler on
the cylinders to give more lubrication, as he intended to get more
speed out of his engine. Then he opened the gasoline cock a