l make, as Terry McCarthy said
when he had the ch'ice of foighting two Tipperary byes or three
Corkonians."

"Wouldn't your father prefer to have us bring you home safe and unhurt
rather than to have your beauty battered out of you?" inquired the
detective, with a solemn visage.

Mike, who had risen to his feet and was still staring over the stern,
slowly turned and faced the questioner. Then, with an expression of
contempt, he said:

"Ye haven't the honor of an acquaintance wid me dad."

CHAPTER V

THE LOSER OF THE RACE

A long, low bridge connects the western projection of Westport with
Woolwich on the opposite bank, beyond which spreads Montsweag Bay,
narrowing to Back River, which, as has been explained, joins the
Sheepscot.

The draw had just been swung open when our friends came in sight of the
bridge, and saw the _Water Witch_ passing through. The bridge tender
immediately began turning his lever with which he closed the draw. Alvin
whistled to signify that he wished to follow the other, but seemingly the
man did not hear him. His back steadily rose and fell, as he worked the
handle of his contrivance, and the movable section of the structure
slowly swung back in response.

"Isn't that lucky now!" was the sarcastic exclamation of Mike.

"Why?" asked Chester.

"He wants to hilp ye fall back further behind the ither boat."

"There may be something in that," the Captain replied.

None the less, Alvin continued his tooting, without abating his speed.
The tender, however, did not mean to tantalize them, and all quickly saw
the cause of his action. A heavily loaded wagon had come upon the bridge
from the Woolwich side, and waited while the draw was held open. The
driver must have had a "pull" with the attendant, who immediately closed
the draw so he could cross before the second boat passed through.

At this juncture fate showed how perverse she can be when in the mood.
Directly over the draw, something connected with the wagon or the harness
of the team got askew and the driver paused to set it right. Possibly it
was pretence on his part, for many men will do such things, but, all the
same, he took ten minutes before he climbed back on his seat and started
his horses forward again. Alvin reversed the screw, so that the launch
became motionless when a few yards from the bridge.

I am afraid the driver purposely delayed the _Deerfoot_, for when Mike
shouted an angry reproach, he looked around,