CHAPTER IV 

THE CHASE ON THE LAKE 

"He means to give us as much of a chase as possible," remarked Tom, as he glanced over his shoulder. "If I remember rightly, Baxter was always a pretty fair oarsman." 

"Yes, that was the one thing he could do well," returned Dick. "But we ought to be able to catch him, Tom." 

"We could if we had two pairs of oars. One pair can do just about so much and no more." 

"Nonsense! Now, both together, and put all your muscle into it," and Dick set a stiff stroke that his brother followed with difficulty. 

Baxter had been rowing down the lake, but as soon as he saw that he was being pursued he changed his course for the east shore. He was settled to his work, and for several minutes it was hard to tell whether he was holding his own or losing. 

"Hurrah! we are catching up!" cried Dick, after pulling for five minutes. "Keep at it, Tom, and we'll have him before he is half over." 

"Gosh, but it's hot work!" came with a pant from Tom Rover. "He must be almost exhausted to row like that." 

"He knows what he has at stake. He sees the prison cell staring him in the face again. You'd do your best, too, if you were in his place." 

"I'm doing my best now, Dick. On we go!" and Tom renewed his exertions. Dick set a faster stroke than ever, having caught his second wind, and the rowboat flew over the calm surface of the lake like a thing of life. 
Was Baxter a pretty good oarsman?
 Baxter was always a pretty fair oarsman."