So away he put as hard as his legs could carry him.

When he got back to the waterside he hired a boat from among those lying tied at the stairs, and soon had his little flag rigged up, when, taking his seat, he picked up the oars and pushed off.

It was rather more difficult than it had looked.

The oars would not go together.
However, after a little he was able to move slowly, and was quite elated at his success when he found himself out on the lake.

Just then he heard a shout: "Take down that flag!" Gordon wished to turn his boat and look around, but could not do so.
However, one of the oars came out of the water, and as the boat veered a little he saw the boys in the white boat with the Union flag bearing down on him.
The oarsman was rowing with strong, swift strokes even while he looked over his shoulder, and the boat was shooting along as straight as an arrow, with the clear water curling about its prow.