Frank and Andy Afloat | Page 3

on your life!" exclaimed Frank vigorously. "I'm going to finish whether you do or not--but you have to buy the sodas if I do."
"I will not. I'll finish, too, and I'll beat you."
Once more came a period of silent rowing. Then, whether it was because he pulled more strongly on one oar than on the other, or because of the drift of the current, and the effect of the wind, the younger lad suddenly found himself close to the boat of his brother.
At that moment Frank had once more turned to look at the dock, and Andy could not resist the chance to play a little trick on him. Skillfully judging the distance, he suddenly swept back his left oar, so that the flat blade caught the crest of a long roller and a salty spray flew in a shower over Frank.
"What's that--rain?" Frank cried, turning quickly.
He saw the laughing face of his brother, and guessed what had happened.
"I thought this was a rowing race, not a splashing contest!" he cried good-naturedly.
"It's both," was the answer. Then, though Frank kept on vigorously swinging the oars, Andy paused, rested on the ashen blades, and, holding the handles of both under his left palm for a moment, he pointed out to sea with his right hand, and cried:
"Look! What's that out there, Frank?"
"Oh, ho! No you don't! You don't catch me that way--pretending to show me a sea serpent!" objected the older lad.
"No, really, there's something there--something big and humpy--it's moving, too! Don't you see it? Look, right in line with the Eastern Spit Lighthouse! See!"
Andy stood up in his boat, skillfully balancing himself against the rolling swell, and pointed out to sea. His manner was so earnest that, in spite of the many times he had joked with his brother, Frank ceased rowing and peered to where the extended finger of the younger lad indicated something unusual.
"Smoked star fish! You're right!" agreed Frank, forgetting all about the race now, and standing up in his craft, in order to get a better view.
"What is it?" cried Andy. "A floating wreck?"
"That's no wreck," declared Frank.
"Then what is it?"
"It's a whale, if I'm any judge. A whale, and a big one, too!"
"Dead?"
"I guess so. No--by Jupiter! It's alive, Andy, and it's coming this way!"
"Cracky! If we only had a harpoon or a bomb gun now, that would be the end of Mr. Whale. Let's row out and meet him!"
"Say, are you crazy?" demanded Frank, with some heat.
"Crazy? No; why?"
"Wanting to tackle a whale in these boats! We'd be swamped in a minute! We'd better pull out to one side. Most likely the whale will keep on a straight course, though he'll be stranded if he goes much farther in. The tide's out, and it's shallow here. Pull to one side, Andy--the race is off. Pull out, I tell you!" and Frank swung his skiff around with sudden energy.
"I am not! I'm going to get a nearer view of the whale!" cried Andy. "Maybe he's hurt, or perhaps there's a harpoon with a line fast to it in him. We might get hold of it and--"
"Yes, and go to kingdom come. Nixy! Get out of the way while you've got time. Jinks! He's coming on faster than ever!"
Frank's manner so impressed his brother that the younger lad now began to swing his craft around. They could both see the whale plainly now, even while sitting down, for the great sea animal was nearer.
Then, whether it was some sudden whim, or because he saw the boats and took them for natural enemies, there was a sudden swirling of water and the whale increased his speed, heading straight for the two skiffs that were now almost touching side by side.
"He's coming!" yelled Andy.
"I told you he was!" cried Frank. "Row! Row! Get out of the way!"
This was more easily said than done. In vain did the lads pull frantically on their oars. The whale was now coming on with the speed of an express train. He was headed right for the two boats!
"Pull out! Pull out!" shouted Andy. "He may go between us then!"
It was good advice, and Frank, who was a little the better rower, started to follow it.
But it was too late. On came the monster of the deep, his great head throwing up a huge wave in front of him. Andy was rowing as hard as was his brother until he suddenly jumped his left oar out of the oarlock. In another moment it had gone overboard.
This seemed to attract the attention of the whale to the skiff of the younger lad. The monster might have thought that the occupant of the boat was trying to hurl a harpoon.
Suddenly changing his course, the leviathan, which had been headed for Frank's craft, now turned toward