"No, but it's almost as good.  It's an invitation to take part in
the motor-boat races next week.  I'd forgotten all about them.	I
must get ready."

"Good land!  Dat's all de risin' generation t'inks about now,"
observed Eradicate, "racin' an' goin' fast.  Mah ole mule
Boomerang am good enough fo' me," and, shaking his head in a
woeful manner, Eradicate went on his way.

Tom told Mr. Sharp and his father of the proposed races of the
Lanton Motor-boat Club, and, as it was required that two persons
be in a craft the size of the ARROW, the young inventor arranged
for the balloonist to accompany him.  Our hero spent the next few
days in tuning up his motor and in getting the ARROW ready for the
contest.

The races took place on that side of Lake Carlopa near where Mr.
Hastings lived, and he was one of the officials of the club.
There were several classes, graded according to the horse-power of
the motors, and Tom found himself in a class with Andy Foger.

"Here's where I beat you," boasted the red-haired youth
exultantly, though his manner toward Tom was more temperate than
usual.	Andy had learned a lesson.

"Well, if you can beat me I'll give you credit for it," answered
Tom.

The first race was for high-powered craft, and in this Mr.
Hastings' new CARLOPA won.  Then came the trial of the small
boats, and Tom was pleased to note that Miss Nestor was on hand in
the tiny DOT.

"Good luck!" he called to her as he was adjusting his timer, for
his turn would come soon.  "Remember what I told you about the
spark," for he had given her a few lessons.

"If I win it will be due to you," she called brightly.

She did win, coming in ahead of several confident lads who had
better boats.  But Miss Nestor handled the DOT to perfection and
crossed the line a boat's length ahead of her nearest competitor.

"Fine!" cried Tom, and then came the warning gun that told him to
get ready for his trial.

This was a five-mile race and had several entrants.  The affair
was a handicap one and Tom had no reason to complain of the rating
allowed him.

"Crack!" went the starting pistol and away went Tom and one or two
others who had the same allowance as did he.  A little later the
others started and finally the last class, including Andy Foger.
The RED STREAK shot ahead and was soon in the lead, for Andy and
Sam had learned better how to handle their craft.  Tom and Mr.
Sharp were 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 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.





End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tom Swift And His Motor-Boat

