As yet she had made no extraordinary exertion.

Her crew were still fresh and vigorous, while those of her rival, though she was every moment gaining upon her, were taxing their strength to the utmost.
They rounded the stake boat, which had been placed nearly opposite the mouth of the Rippleton River, and the Butterfly was still three lengths ahead.

They had begun upon the last two miles of the race.

Though the Zephyr still pursued her former tactics, her rival was no longer able to gain upon her.

The latter had thus far done her best, and for the next half mile the boats maintained the same relative positions.
Frank was still unmoved, and there was some inward grumbling among his crew.