CHAPTER IV

THE CHASE ON THE LAKE

"He means to give us as much of a chase as possible," remarked
Tom, as he glanced over his shoulder. "If I remember rightly,
Baxter was always a pretty fair oarsman."

"Yes, that was the one thing he could do well," returned Dick.
"But we ought to be able to catch him, Tom."

"We could if we had two pairs of oars. One pair can do just about
so much and no more."

"Nonsense! Now, both together, and put all your muscle into it,"
and Dick set a stiff stroke that his brother followed with
difficulty.

Baxter had been rowing down the lake, but as soon as he saw that
he was being pursued he changed his course for the east shore. He
was settled to his work, and for several minutes it was hard to
tell whether he was holding his own or losing.

"Hurrah! we are catching up!" cried Dick, after pulling for five
minutes. "Keep at it, Tom, and we'll have him before he is half
over."