The duck was to get a minute's clear start, and at the signal off he darted up the stream.

The minute seemed to us in the cutter as if it were never going to end, and we watched with dismay the pace at which our lively fugitive was "making tracks." "Ready all, in the cutter!" cries the doctor.

"Off!" and next moment we are flying through the water in full cry.

As we gradually pull up to the duck he diminishes his pace, and finally lies on his oars and coolly waits for us.
"Put it on, now!" calls out our coxswain, and our boat shoots forward.
When within a few yards, the duck, apparently alive to his danger, dashes his oars into the water and darts ahead.

But we are too fast for him.