CHAPTER XVI
"WE'LL RACE YOU FOR IT"
Mr. Swift hurried up on deck. He was accompanied by Captain Weston. At the sight of Tom's father, Mr. Berg, who had been joined by two other men, called out:
"You see we also concluded to give up the trial for the Government prize, Mr. Swift. We decided there was more money in something else. But we still will have a good chance to try the merits of our respective boats. We hurried and got ours fitted up almost as soon as you did yours, and I think we have the better craft."
"I don't care to enter into any competition with you," said Mr. Swift coldly.
"Ah, but I'm afraid you'll have to, whether you want to or not," was the insolent reply.
"What's that? Do you mean to force this matter upon me?"
"I'm afraid I'll have to—my employers and I, that is. You see, we managed to pick up your
134
