"You've got your work cut out for you!" shouted Songbird. "But never mind. Go in and win!"
For the first quarter of a mile the two rowboats kept close together. Occasionally one would forge ahead a few indies, but the other would speedily overtake it. Then, however, the Rover boys settled down to a strong, steady stroke, and forged a full length ahead.
"See! see! The Rovers are winning!" shouted Max in delight.
"That's the way to do it!" cried Stanley. "Keep it up! You're doing nobly!"
"Show 'em the way home!" added Songbird.
"Pull, Jerry! Pull!, Bart!" screamed Dudd Flockley to his cronies. "Don't let them beat you!"
Before long the island was reached, and the Rovers rounded it a length and a half ahead. This made Jerry Koswell frantic, and he called on Larkspur to increase the stroke.
"All right, I'm with you," was the short answer.
The increase in the stroke speedily told, and inch by inch the second boat began to overhaul the first. Then Tom made a miss, sending a shower of water into the air. At this the craft containing Koswell and Larkspur shot ahead.
