The Alert and Speedwell had never been "matched" before, and the boys were anxious to learn their comparative speed.

The former was the "champion" boat of the village, and Harry and George were confident that Frank's "tub," as they jokingly called it, would soon be distanced.

Frank thought so, too; but the reputation of owning the swiftest boat in the village was well worth trying for, and he determined to do his best.
Since his race with the Champion, he had made larger sails for his boat, and added a flying-jib and a gaff-topsail, and he found that her speed was almost doubled.
The Champion soon fell behind, and the two rival boats were left to finish the race, which, for a long time, seemed undecided.

But, at length, the Speedwell, with her strong mast groaning and creaking under the weight of the heavy canvas, began to gain steadily, and soon passed the Alert.

Ten minutes' run brought them across the river; and when Frank, proud of the victory he had gained, rounded the long dock, the Alert was full four rods behind.
The breeze was rapidly dying away, and not one of the coast-guards had yet reached the shore.