It made a course of about five miles.

The race for the Hampton Motor Boat Club's cup, for which the boys and the others were entered, was twice round.
The waters about the club house were so dotted with motor craft which darted about in every direction that Commodore Wingate of the club and the other regatta officials had a hard time keeping the course clear for the contestants.

On the threat, however, that the races would be called off if a clear course was not kept, order was finally obtained.
The boys were too busy to pay much attention to the results of the other races, but a member of the club who had won the Blake trophy for the cabin cruiser boats, warned the boys to beware of the turn above the far buoy.
"It's choppy as the dickens there," he said, as he made his way to the club house, "and you want to take the turn easily.

Don't 'bank' it, or you'll lose more than you gain." The boys thanked him for his advice, and laid it to heart to be used when the race was on.
Sam's boat having been tuned up to the last notch of readiness, Jack Curtiss strolled consequentially about on the float, making bets freely on the hydroplane's chance of winning.
"I'll bet you twenty-five to any odds you like that the hydroplane wins the race," he said, addressing Colin Maxwell, the son of a well-to-do merchant from a neighboring town.

Young Maxwell had heard nothing of Jack's mean trick in the aeroplane contest, and therefore didn't mind talking to him.
"I like the look of the Flying Fish pretty well," was the response, "and I'll take you up.