worried; but they stuck grimly to the race and when the turning stake was
reached Tom's motor had so warmed up and was running so well that he
crept up on Andy。 A mile from the final mark Andy and Tom were on
even terms; and though the red…haired lad tried to shake off his rival he
could not。 Andy's ignition system failed him several times and he
changed from batteries to magneto and back again in the hope of getting a
125
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR…BOAT(Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa)
little more speed out of the motor。
But it was not to be。 A half…mile away from the finish Tom; who had
fallen behind a little; crept up on even terms。 Then he slowly forged
ahead; and; a hundred rods from the stake; the young inventor knew that
the race was his。 He clinched it a few minutes later; crossing the line
amid a burst of cheers。 The ARROW had beaten several boats out of her
own class and Tom was very proud and happy。
〃My; but we certainly did scoot along some!〃 cried Mr。 Sharp。 〃But
that's nothing to how we'll go when we build our airship; eh; Tom?〃 and he
looked at the flushed face of the lad。
〃No; indeed;〃 agreed the young inventor。 〃But I don't know that we'll
take part in any races in it。 We'll build it; however; as soon as we can
solve that one difficulty。〃
They did solve it; as will be told in the next book of this series; to be
called 〃Tom Swift and His Airship; or; The Stirring Cruise of the RED
CLOUD。〃 They had some remarkable adventures in the wonderful craft;
and solved the mystery of a great bank robbery。
This ended the contests of the motor…boats and the little fleet crowded
up to the floats and docks; where the prizes were to be awarded。 Tom
received a handsome silver cup and Miss Nestor a gold bracelet。
〃Now I want all the contestants; winners and losers; to come up to my
house and have lunch;〃 invited Mr。 Hastings。
As Tom and the balloonist strolled up the walk to the handsome house
Andy Foger passed them。
〃You wouldn't have beaten me if my spark coil hadn't gone back on
me;〃 he said; somewhat sneeringly。
〃Maybe;〃 admitted Tom; and just then he caught sight of Mary Nestor。
〃May I take you in to lunch?〃 he asked。
〃Yes;〃 she said; 〃because you helped me to win;〃 and she blushed
prettily。 And then they all sat down to the tables set out on the lawn;
while Tom looked so often at Mary Nestor that Mr。 Sharp said afterward it
was a wonder he found time to eat。 But Tom didn't care。 He was happy。
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