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By Jove! said Nelson. It doesnt look as though there was room for us anywhere.
And it didnt, so closely were the boats packed together. Nelson stopped down the engine to half speed, and, with her bunting flapping in the breeze and her bright-work agleam, the Vagabond nosed her way through the throng until she was opposite the Boston Yacht Club House. Here a space large enough to swing around in was discovered, and as Bob skillfully turned her toward it Dan held the anchor ready. Then there was a splash, and an excited protest from the exhaust as the engine was reversed; then silence, and the Vagabond had come to anchor as neatly as you wish. After that the four gave themselves to a thorough enjoyment of the scene.
There was plenty to look at. Near by, at one of the boat yards, the contestants were being measured with steel tape and rule. Others were coming in from their full-speed trials outside the harbor. Gasoline was being taken on, tenders lashed into place, and final arrangements generally were being made. At half-past twelve Tom cooked luncheon, and it was eaten, for the most part, on deck, that nothing of the busy scene around them need be lost sight of. After luncheon the boys got into the tender and rowed to the yacht club landing, leaving the boat there and spending over an hour in exploring the town. After that they returned to the launch and cruised about the harbor, turning and twisting in and out between the anchored craft. There were big steam yachts there, gasoline cruisers galore, dozens of launches, big sloops and little ones, yawls, catboats, and one schooner yacht. And where there was nothing else, tenders and dories flitted about. Once Tom caught Nelson excitedly by the arm and pointed across the harbor.
Lu-lu-look at that, Nel! he stuttered. Su-su-su-see that su-su-su-sloop coming in wi-wi-without any su-su-sails!
Yes; what about it?
Wh-wh-what about it? How the di-di-di-di-dickens does she du-du-do it?
Oh, theres a fellow at the stern, pushing, said Bob gravely.
Shes an auxiliary, Tommy, explained Nelson.
Wh-whats that? asked Tom suspiciously.
Why, shes got a gasoline engine in her, just like we have, only hers is probably smaller.
Really? Tom marveled. I didnt know you could du-du-do that.
Lots of them have auxiliaries nowadays. When the wind gives out, they just start their engines and there you are.
Say, thats swell! murmured Tom.
There goes the committee boat! said Dan excitedly. Lets follow her.
The committee boat was a handsome sailing packet, and as she moved out to where the start was to be made she presented a fine picture. The Vagabond, together with fully half the craft in the harbor, followed at her heels. She took up her position close to the black spar buoy at the harbor entrance, and one by one the contestants chugged up to her and clamored for their ratings. As there had been delay in figuring the handicaps and time allowances, it was announced that the start would be postponed until half-past six. But the time didnt drag. The entries for the race were all together for the first time, and the audience afloat and ashore examined them with interest and compared them, and predicted victory for first one and then another. The twelve boats varied in length from forty feet, the measurement of the Sizz and the Gnome, down to thirty-one, which was the length of the Shoonah. But the greatest difference was in horse-power. The Gnome and the Amy were rated at thirty, while the little Sue had but nine. As a result, the Sue had a handicap allowance of about thirteen hours over the Gnome, which was scratch boat. One by one the boats got their directions, handicaps, and paid their measurement fees, and stood away to await the starting signal.
Lets follow them a bit, suggested Tom. It would be great sport, wouldnt it?
Great! cried Dan. Lets do it, Nel! What do you say?
Im game if you are, was the answer. You want to remember, though, Tommy, that well be late to dinner.
Oh, you run away and play! To hear you fellows talk, youd think nobody ate anything but me. Id just like to know who got away with the most of the lunch and Im not looking at Bob, either!
Not you, kittie, nor me, kittie, but one of us, murmured Nelson.
What time will we get back? asked Bob.
Depends on how far we go, said Nelson. Wed ought to get back before dark, I suppose.
Oh, it doesnt get dark until late, said Dan cheerfully.
I tell you what well do, cried Tom. Ill cook something and well have dinner on board! What do you say?
Well, weve never eaten one of your dinners, Tommy, answered Dan, and so we may, I think, be excused if we say nothing; least said soonest mended, you know.
Have we got anything to cook, Tommy? asked Nelson doubtfully.
Eggs, bacon, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, jam, bread
Boom!
First gun! cried Bob.
Theres a quarter of an hour yet, then, said Dan.
Lets get our lanterns lighted, suggested Nelson. We might as well do it now as later. The others are lighting theirs.
So for the next few minutes they attended to the lights, saw to the lashings of the tender, filled oil cups, and prepared to join in the scramble across the starting line. At six-twenty a second gun was fired from the committee boat, and at six-twenty-five a third. By that time all the contestants were chugging and churning into positions from which they could make quick starts. Everyone had his eyes glued to watch or clock, and as the minutes passed the excitement grew intense. The crew of the Vagabond felt as though they, too, were off for a wild race to New York, and Dan was for rounding outside the committee boat so that they wouldnt get left. But Nelson shook his head.
Well stay here and get over the line after the last one. Then well see if we cant give some of them a tussle for a few miles.
Hey! Look at the Amy! cried Bob.
All boats were in motion now, and were dashing toward the open water between the committee boat and the black spar. The Amy had started a bit too soon, and now, having almost reached the line, she turned and ran parallel with it until, when almost at the end of it and it seemed as though she must head back again, the last gun went off, and with a quick turn of her wheel she swung her nose to port and dashed across the line several lengths in the lead. Then the others went over, their propellers churning the water, flags flying, and exhausts throbbing loudly. Whistles blew and sirens shrieked, caps were waved and flags were dipped, and the twelve plucky little boats headed for the blue-gray rim of the horizon on their all-night voyage.
All right! sang Bob from the wheel, and Nelson, hand on the lever, shot it forward and the Vagabond started after the other craft with a rush that took her across the line the first of the noncontestants. In their endeavor to cut the corner as much as possible, several of the launches got too near the Point, and for a moment it looked as though the race was already over for some of them. But after a breathless minute all got safely away and passed out between the Point and Marblehead Rock. The sun was nearing the hills in the west and a crimson flush lay over the quiet sea and dyed the sails of the yachts. Back of them the whistles still tooted as the crew of the Vagabond stood in the cockpit and watched the contest with breathless interest.