A moment later the resumption of the staccato exhaust of the motor told that the break had been repaired—temporarily, at least. The boat shot ahead again, at her former speed, and only just in time, for her rival was now on even terms with her.
“Oh, Betty, we can’t do it!” Mollie said, pathetically. “We’re going to lose!”
“We are not! I’ve got another notch I can slip forward the gasoline throttle, and here it goes! If that doesn’t push us ahead nothing will— and——”
“We don’t get that cut glass,” finished Mollie.
But just that little fraction was what was needed. The _Gem_ went ahead almost by inches only, but it was enough. The _Eagle’s_ crew of three girls tried in vain to coax another revolution out of her propeller, but it was not to be, and the _Gem_ shot over the line a winner. A winner, but by so narrow a margin that the judges conferred a moment before making the announcement. But they finally made it. The _Gem_ had undoubtedly won.
“Oh!” exclaimed Grace as she climbed out into the cabin, and thence to the deck, followed by Amy. “Oh, my hand is numb holding the ends of that wire together. I didn’t dare let go——”
“It was brave of you!” exclaimed Betty, patting Grace on the shoulder. “If you had let go we would have lost. We’ll bathe your hand for you in witch hazel.”
“Oh, it is only cramped. It will be all right in a little while.”
“What a din they are making!” cried Amy, covering her ears with her hands.
“They are saluting the winner,” said Mollie, as she noted the tooting of many boat whistles. Betty slowed down her boat, and saluted as she swept past the boat of the judges.
“Well, I’m glad it’s over,” sighed Grace. “It was nervous work. I’m going to make some chocolate, and have it iced. It was warm up there by the motor.”
“And you both need baths,” remarked Mollie with a laugh. “You are as grimy as chimney sweeps.”
“Yes, but we don’t mind,” said Amy. “You won, Betty! I’m so glad!”
“We won, you mean,” corrected the Little Captain. “I couldn’t have done it except for you girls,”
Many craft saluted the _Gem_ as she came off the course.
“I wish Uncle Amos could have seen us!” exclaimed Betty. “He would have been proud.” The girls remained as spectators for the remainder of the carnival, and then, the day being warm, they went to their dock. Near it was a sandy bathing beach, and soon they were swimming about in the limpid waters of Rainbow Lake.