CHAPTER XXIV--HARRY PILOTS THE LIGHTNING

"So that's Elmer's boat, is it?" remarked Harry, as he managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the tall mast of a rapidly moving craft, that was sweeping down the ice covered tributary of the Conoque, now partly hidden behind a clump of trees, and again passing a fairly open spot.

"Head in so as to be ready to follow after him, whichever way he turns," advised Paul, his voice betraying signs of excitement; for he had been looking forward to this same meeting for many weeks, and anticipating the pleasures of turning the tables on his boasting rival of long standing.

But Harry seemed as cool as though there were nothing at stake. He had schooled himself to repress his feelings when a great emergency arose, calling for calm judgment, as well as quick action.

"I think I've got the course we want," he remarked, quietly, as the _Lightning_ bore well in toward the shore, just below the junction of the two rivers. "I don't dare pass too far in, because you see that high bank, and the bunch of trees, interfere with the wind, and we'd get blanketed. There they come, Paul!"

Shooting out from the Cranberry like a thing of life, the rival iceboat made a graceful sweep and continued up the river.

"They did that on purpose!" cried Paul, as though a bit disgusted at the turn affairs had taken. "Let him say what he will, I believe Elmer is afraid of this boat. He came and examined her the day I rigged her up; and although he pretended to laugh, I could just see that he was chewing the rag. Yes, look at Pud waving his hand at us; and he's shouting something too."

"All right," said Harry, without the least show of worry; "we've got our work cut out for us, that's all. You know something about the river above; can we run any distance with the boats?"

"Sure!" answered the other member of the crew; "it's the most obliging old river you ever heard tell of. Miles and miles it stretches away, sometimes narrow, and again broad; but if this wind only holds out, we can spin along like fun for more'n an hour. Hit her up, Harry, let's see just what the bully contraption carries up her sleeve. After 'em with a hot stick now!"

Really, Harry needed no urging. The spirit of sport had been fully aroused in his breast. Forgotten for the time being, were all those grim troubles that had of late been making life so miserable for the boy. He only seemed to remember that once more his hand grasped the tiller of a staunch ice flier; and that a derisive challenge had floated back from the boat ahead.

And possibly, the fact that the two fellows who manned the _Glider_ were his most bitter and unscrupulous enemies, had more or less to do with Harry's determination to beat the rival boat. He would not have been human had he felt otherwise; and while Harry possessed many fine attributes, he was after all, only a boy at heart.

The _Lightning_ had, of course, lost considerable of her headway when the skipper ran in so close to the high bank; but she was gradually veering further away now, with every second.

On the other hand, the opposing boat had come out of the Cranberry under a full sail; and shifting her course, was running up the Conoque with a speed that opened quite a gap between the rival craft.

Then in turn Harry and Paul saw that they were getting opposite the mouth of the smaller stream, where the wind would be wholly unobstructed. No sooner had this occurred than they jumped ahead as though some unseen power had taken the boat in tow.

"How about it now?" asked the skipper, wishing to have Paul report progress; as he had about all he could do in taking care of the skimming ice craft, watching how the wind acted on the sail, keeping a cautious eye out for any obstruction in the way of a branch of a tree frozen in the ice, or possibly an air hole which, if not avoided, might spell disaster to the pursuing boat.

"We are sure holding our own, Harry!" exclaimed Paul, delightedly.

That was an experience new to him; for up to now the _Glider_ had mocked all efforts to equal her extraordinary speed. But Harry knew that, as yet, he had not put the new boat to her "best licks," as he termed it. She was capable of better things.

This was just the time and opportunity for one who knew all about the tricks which an iceboat is capable of developing, to coax her to show her fine points; and that was what Harry was now starting to do.

Perhaps the boats were about equal in merit. Possibly, had the crews been reversed, Harry and Paul could have overtaken the _Lightning_, given time with the older craft. In other words, it was a case of superior knowledge and ability on the part of the skipper of the _Lightning_, rather than the possession of a better boat; for the _Glider_ was certainly what she had always been called, a "marvel."

"Wow! we're gaining, I do believe, Harry!" announced Paul, a minute later; and there was a touch of actual doubt in his voice, as though the fact might be almost too good to be true.

"Are we?" answered his chum, just as though it were nothing more than he had been expecting right along.

"Yes, as sure as anything we must be," Paul went on excitedly. "I'm trying to judge distances with my eye; and honest now, I believe we're not so far behind as when we first passed the mouth of the Cranberry! Oh! it's great! Keep her moving just as she is, Harry! Do you think you can? That wasn't only a spurt, I hope!"

"She can do even better than that, Paul. Watch me now, for I'm on to a new little dodge. Keep an eye for blow-holes, and branches frozen in the ice. And Paul, shift your weight just a trifle this way. I believe the balance will be more even."

Another short interval followed. Then Paul gave vent to his delight again.

"You did something then that just made her hump herself. Why, Harry, we're clawing up on the old _Glider_ hand over fist! Look at 'em moving around, will you? They're getting scared, that's what! Elmer never yet saw another boat creeping up after him when he was doing his level best to fly. Bully! Bully! Oh, ain't we just humming along, though!"

It was no easy matter to speak while they were cutting through space at such a tremendous pace and Paul would have done better to have saved his breath; but he had waited and hoped for this great day so long, that he just could not bottle up his delight.

Not a sound could they hear around them save the whistle of the wind through the ropes above, or the sharp humming music of the runners spurning the smooth ice. Pud had long since ceased to shout derisive cries back at the pursuers. His scorn and mocking gestures had changed into nervous movements, as he tried to increase the speed of the _Glider_ by altering his position from time to time.

When another five minutes had passed, though it seemed an hour to the impatient Paul, they had gained so much upon the other boat that the two were now within easy speaking distance. Yet strange to say, those on the _Glider_ maintained a dead silence, that was quite unusual to their buoyant natures. It makes considerable difference whether one is on a winning or a losing craft.

Paul, however, could not keep still. This experience almost set him wild with delight. And where could you find a boy who would decline to rub it in a little, given the chance?

"Hey! you there!" he hallooed, using his hands as a megaphone; "get out of the way, and give us room. We're going to pass you, and let you take our dust! Sheer off to one side, and let us have the middle of the river! We've earned the right of way. Lively now, Elmer! You're a back number after this, with your out-of-date boat! To the scrap heap for yours!"

Perhaps it was hardly kind of Paul to add to the humiliation which Elmer must naturally be feeling, as he thus saw that the _Glider_ was plainly playing "second fiddle" to the new iceboat; but it must be remembered that for years now, the son of the richest man in Rivertown had lost no opportunity to sneer at Paul, and humiliate him when he had the chance.

Apparently the two who crouched there on the _Glider_ were at their wits' ends to discover some means for increasing their speed. They seemed to be exchanging warm sentences, and Harry even thought he heard Elmer's rasping voice raised in anger, as though he might be trying to lay the burden of the blame on the bully, whose extra weight might be just the cause for the difference in speed of the two boats.

Pud could also be heard answering back, and it sounded as though he were telling his comrade that the fault lay in his lack of skill in managing the _Glider_, rather than the handicap of weight.

"Can we pass 'em, d'ye think?" gasped Paul, as they drew still closer to the leading boat, on which a dead silence had now fallen.

"Easy enough, unless Elmer chooses to play some trick on us," replied Harry.

"Oh! would he dare do that, when we're spinning along at this mad clip?" demanded the owner of the new boat.

"You know him better than I do, Paul," replied Harry. "I don't like the look on his face. He keeps turning his head, then grinning in a nasty way; after which he looks ahead, just as if he was sizing up some desperate chance. I think he means to foul us up if he can; and anyhow it's going to be a hard thing to pass him up here, where nobody can see any dirty play."

Paul seemed to consider. No doubt discretion urged him to call the race off; but on the other hand he disliked very much to quit just when he had his rival where he had wanted to see him so long.

A fisherman never calls a trout his own until he has the prize in his hands; even though he may humanely throw the speckled beauty back into the water again. And in a race it does not really count, unless you actually pass your adversary.

So Paul, with boyish recklessness, determined to take the chances for trouble, and pass the _Glider_, come what might. He knew Elmer to be somewhat reckless; but found it hard to believe that the other would risk having his own bones broken, just to smash the successful boat of his rival.

But Paul counted wrongly. Elmer, when he became enraged, was not the same cool, calculating schemer that he had the name of being under normal conditions. And, urged on by the sarcastic sneers of the ugly Pud, as well as his own keen disappointment at seeing his pet iceboat fairly beaten, he might even take chances which at another time would have appalled him.

"That's too bad!" Paul heard Harry exclaim.

"Oh, what's happened?" Paul cried, in sudden alarm. "Are we going to lose out, after all that magnificent gain? But Harry, see, we're still creeping up! Only twenty feet more, and we'll be on even terms! What do you mean?"

"Look far ahead!" answered Harry.

"I see that the river narrows again," the other boy replied instantly. "Is that what you mean?"

"Yes. We're going to have to try and pass, while in that narrow stretch!" Harry sent across to his reclining chum; for their heads were only a few feet apart.

"But there's plenty of room for both! I remember that cut well, Harry! I had my canoe upset there once, shooting the rapids when the river was low in Summer. Yes, it's sure wide enough for even five boats abreast!"

"If they're piloted by honest fellows, who mean to deal squarely with each other," said Harry, significantly.

Paul was conscious of the fact that his chum was putting the decision squarely up to him. He felt a little uneasy. What if they should meet with a serious accident in trying to pass the _Glider_ in such confined quarters? Was it right for him to drag Harry into this peril?

"What ought we do, Harry?" he demanded, quickly; for they were rushing toward the place where the banks of the Conoque drew closer together, and fast overtaking the rival boat.

"Are you willing to take the risk?" came the immediate reply.

"Yes; but how about you?" asked Paul.

"I'm with you, Paul," the pilot sent back, impetuously. "The chance is too good to be lost. And perhaps I can find a way to outwit him, if he tries any funny business. Be ready to do your part like lightning, if I give the word."

"I'm on! Go it, for all you're worth, Harry!"

There was really no time for further words. They had now reached the beginning of the narrows, and at the same time found themselves close up with the tail end of the other iceboat.

Paul, sending one nervous glance that way, could see Pud Snooks glaring at them as though he could eat either of the two alive. There was an expression on his heavy face that bordered on desperation; and Paul became more than ever convinced that Elmer and his crony must have made up their minds to attempt some crooked play, in the hope of balking the efforts of the _Lightning's_ crew to pass them.

All this while Harry had been studying his chances. He had purposely come up from behind, and had chosen the leeward side of the boat in advance. This was done with a distinct purpose. If, as he expected, Elmer altered the course of the _Glider_, and attempted to block their way, Harry meant to suddenly shift his helm and shoot up on the windward side.

This movement he calculated to make so suddenly as to momentarily confuse the opposing pilot. And when Elmer could collect his senses enough to follow suit he would be just so many seconds too late; for by that time possibly the _Lightning_ might be on even terms; and the big sail would blanket the _Glider_, shutting off the wind that was so essential to her forward progress.

Then perhaps, before she could recover from this staggering blow, the _Lightning_, which would not have lost her headway for even a second, might be out of reach, and rapidly leaving her outwitted rival in the lurch.

At such a time as this it requires an active brain to hatch up a scheme that carries with it a chance of success. Fortunately Harry was built that way. He saw his opportunity, and grasped it without hesitation.

Paul, as yet, had not the remotest idea just how his chum meant to work the deal. He recognized the fact that those on the other boat would try to get in the way, regardless of accidents, and block their passage. Thus Elmer would always claim that he had never been passed by any other iceboat, and if both craft were reduced to kindling wood by the collision, little he cared in his present reckless frame of mind.

But Paul had the utmost confidence in his comrade. He had seen Harry in action before now, and recognized the fact that he was gifted with a bright mind, capable of grasping the situation, and turning even a little thing to advantage.

And so he just lay there, holding on for dear life, ready to "take his medicine," as he termed it, should there be a spill; and also keeping himself in readiness to do his little part should the skipper give a quick order; for it was Paul's duty to look after the sail, and handle the sheet if they had to tack during their run, with the wind heading them off.

Now they were nosing up, so that the fore part of the _Lightning_ seemed but a yard or two behind the rudder of the opposing craft, once called the "Queen of the Conoque," but apparently destined to yield up that proud title to the later model owned by Paul Martin.

"Ha!"

It was Paul himself who gave utterance to this exclamation. Apparently he had been holding his breath for half a minute past, in anticipation of what was to come; and this signified that the startling event was being put into play.

Elmer had shifted his tiller just enough to change the course of his boat, and veer slightly to leeward. Of course this necessitated a change in the running of the pursuing craft, otherwise the _Lightning_ must immediately strike the stern of the leader.

Harry followed suit, and for a moment both boats continued on that slant. But it could not last, of course. The shore was too close by; and if they continued to veer to leeward both must go aground, to the utter demoralization of the delicate craft.

Paul could see that leering face of Pud almost within reach of his hand. It seemed as though the bully might be asking what he was going to do about it; and giving him to understand that he might as well cut his halyards, and let his sail drop, because he and Elmer were grimly determined that no iceboat should ever sail past the _Glider_, come what might.

So Paul set his teeth hard, expecting a spill of some sort when the bow of his boat struck the stern of the other, while going at this amazing speed. Perhaps his face was white, which fact could hardly be wondered at under the circumstances. But there was no sign of fear there. Paul proved game when the test came, just as Harry had known would be the case.

A foot--why the distance between the two boats must be measured by inches now, so rapidly had it been cut down by the rush of the pursuing craft.

Just as Paul gave a gasp, expecting to feel the shock of the collision, and perhaps be tumbled headlong over the smooth ice, he felt Harry make a sudden move.

The skipper of the _Lightning_ had waited until the very last second, and then swung the tiller around!

Instantly obeying the rudder, the able boat changed her course. She no longer headed to leeward, but swung in the other direction, aiming for the windward bank of the river.

"Oh! bully! bully! bully!" cried Paul, as the plan of his chum flashed across his mind; and at the same time he occupied himself in tugging at the sheet in order to shape the bellying sail to the new course of the rapidly-driven boat.

Apparently Elmer was taken quite by surprise by this movement on the part of his rival. His mind was not quite equal to grasping the full significance of it, and responding so rapidly that he might still have a chance of bringing about a disastrous collision.

When he swung around, Pud was also slow to do his duty with the rope governing the sail. He had been altogether wrapped up in setting himself for the anticipated shock of an upset; so that it took him several seconds to grasp the new conditions.

When they did succeed in changing their course, just before bringing up on the lee shore, it seemed as though it might be too late, for the able _Lightning_ had improved her opportunity in a glorious manner.

Elmer was seized with a fit of blind fury. He realized that he had been beaten at his own game, and by the boy whom he had always felt that sense of unjust hatred ever since the day Harry Watson first came to the Rivertown High School, and carried off the honors of that bob-sled dash down the hill.

The one thing he wanted to do now was to smash into the _Lightning_, regardless of consequences. Elmer believed in the "rule or ruin" policy. If his boat was no longer to be the fastest on the Conoque, he would at least never allow another to carry off the honors.

And so the reckless boy deliberately headed for the rival craft, his aim being to come down upon the port quarter of the frail _Lightning_ with such an impetus that the other boat must be utterly demolished.

Paul saw what was impending. His quivering words of delight ceased to flow; for again he feared that this implacable and unscrupulous foe was in a position to carry out his quickly-conceived scheme of revenge.

But Harry knew better. His quick and experienced eye judged distances better than that of his chum. True, he edged in a bit closer toward the nearby shore; but that may have been for a double purpose. It gave him a trifle longer to make the pull; and at the same time rendered the possibility of Elmer and Pud coming to grief a _certainty_.

Five seconds is not a very long stretch of time; and yet there may be times in the experiences of some people when it seems next door to an eternity. And Paul was now feeling something that way.

He saw the oncoming _Glider_ rushing down at them--he could mark the strained faces of the two desperate fellows who sprawled there on the thin planking that served as a deck to the runners--and he caught his breath with a queer little click as he wondered whether after all Harry was going to carry his clever game through to a successful end; or if the new boat was destined to be smashed then and there on its first glorious cruise.

Then the crisis came.

In changing his course so much, in order to strike the _Lightning_ squarely in the port quarter, Elmer had failed to realize that he was heading up in the teeth of the wind more than his rival. And in this way he was handicapped so far as keeping up his pace was concerned.

So the _Glider_ swept to the rear of the new boat, just comfortably missing her. The victory had been won, since the _Lightning_ had thus forged ahead, and passed her rival!

Paul started to give a whoop of delight. Then he stopped, for there was heard a sudden loud smash as the boat of the baffled plotters struck the shore.

"She's done for! Gone to flinders, Harry! Oh, what a race, and they've got just what they deserve. But I hope neither of them has been badly hurt!" exclaimed Paul, who, even in the excitement of victory could think of the defeated foe.

"I feel the same way as you do about it, Paul," replied the pilot at the tiller of the now undisputed champion of the Conoque, as he headed straight up the narrows toward the wide reach above; "but I don't think that cuts much figure in it, for I'm sure I saw Pud jump to his feet out of the wreck; while Elmer was crawling out, and limping around as we turned that bend just below."

"Well, if ever a sly schemer got caught in his own trap that fellow was," remarked Paul, his indignation now getting the better of his sympathy. "And he sure deserves all he's got. We'll go on a way further, and then turn back. Perhaps we'll overtake our two friends, the enemy, limping along the ice on the way home; and they may even accept a lift back."

But after all, Paul's good intentions were fated never to be put to the test, for although they saw the wrecked _Glider_ piled up in a shattered heap on the shore in the narrows, nothing of the two unlucky skippers was discovered on the way down the river; and they concluded the boys had made their way ashore, to hire some farmer to drive them all the way back to Rivertown.

When the story of the eventful race was told to the boys of Rivertown most of them declared that Elmer and Pud had been paid in their own coin; and few sympathized with them when they appeared on the streets with sundry strips of court plaster decorating their faces, and with decided limps.

"At any rate," said Paul, as he separated from his chum at the Watson gate, "we _did_ have a great time of it; and I reckon it's done you a heap of good, Harry," in which opinion the other certainly shared; and declared that he was glad he had accepted the invitation to try the new iceboat.