The two boats were now on even terms and were racing along side by side toward the wooded, point, which marked the finish.

“I’ll beat you yet!” exclaimed Andy fiercely.

“Better hurry up!” retorted Tom.

But the young inventor was not to have it all his own way.  With a freakishness equal to that with which it had ceased to explode the dead cylinder came to life again, and the red streak shot ahead.  Once more Andy’s boat had the lead of a length and the finish of the race was close at hand.  The squint-eyed lad turned and shouted:  “I told you I’d beat you!  Want a tow now?”

It began to look as though Tom would need it, but he still had something in reserve.  One of the improvements he had put in the arrow was a new auxiliary ignition system.  This he now decided to use.

With a quick motion Tom threw over the switch that put it into operation.  A hotter, “fatter” spark was at once produced, and adjusting his gasoline cock so that a little more of the fluid would be drawn in, making a “richer” mixture, the owner of the arrow saw the craft shoot forward as if, like some weary runner, new life had been infused.

In vain did Andy frantically try to get more speed out of his motor.  He cut out the muffler, and the explosions sounded loudly over the lake.  But it was no use.  A minute later the arrow, which had slowly forged ahead, crossed the bows of the red streak opposite the finishing point, and Tom had won the race.

“Well, was that fair?” our hero called to Andy, who had quickly shut off some of his power as he saw his rival’s daring trick.  “Did I beat you fair?”

“You wouldn’t have beaten me if my engine hadn’t gone back on me,” grumbled Andy, chagrin showing on his face.  “Wait until my motor runs smoother and I’ll give you a big handicap and beat you.  My boat’s faster than yours.  It ought to be.  It cost fifteen hundred dollars and it’s a racer.”

“I guess it doesn’t like racing,” commented Tom as he swung the prow of his craft down the lake toward his home.  But he knew there was some truth in what Andy had said.  The red streak was a more speedy boat, and, with proper handling, could have beaten the arrow.  That was where Tom’s superior knowledge came in useful.  “Just you wait, I’ll beat you yet,” called Andy, after the young inventor, but the latter made no answer.  He was satisfied.

Mr. Swift was much interested that night in his son’s account of the race.

“I had no idea yours was such a speedy boat,” he said.

“Well, it wasn’t originally,” admitted Tom, “but the improvements I put on it made it so.  But, dad, when are we going on our tour?  You look more worn out than I’ve seen you in some time, not excepting when the turbine model was stolen.  Are you worrying over your gyroscope invention?”

“Somewhat, Tom.  I can’t seem to hit on just what I want.  It’s a difficult problem.”