And Larry did hurry, putting forth every ounce of muscle that remained. His head was now up to Striker's knees, and now he made a last desperate plunge and drew up alongside of the Yankee. A yell arose on every side.
"They are even!"
"Go it, both of you!"
And go it they did; but Striker was doing his best, and Larry also, and neither could increase his speed. Up they shot to the yawl, and two hands went up to the gunwale simultaneously.
"It's a tie!"
"Both have won!"
"That's the best race I've seen in a good—"
Bang! crash! the words of the last speaker were drowned in a noise as unexpected as it was dismaying. The yawl was seen to rise in the air, which was instantly filled with flying splinters, and Larry and Striker disappeared like a flash from view.
