The tubs started out, the boys propelling them rapidly with their hands, avoiding collisions when they could, and doing their best to keep afloat as long as possible.
"You are not going to win this race, Billy," laughed Percival, as he spun ahead. "You can't take all the prizes, my boy, and I am going to beat you this time."
"Maybe not!" chuckled Billy, using both hands and making the water fly. "This is a U.S., not a U-boat, and I'm bound to win."
Jack was full of the spirit of the thing, and pushed the acknowledged rivals hard, presently passing Percival, and shouting to Billy:
"Look out, my boy, I am coming after you! Don't take in too much water. It isn't good."
"Come on, Jack!" shouted Billy. "I am not going to the bottom yet, my——-"
Just then young Smith collided with him, and his tub filled in an instant, forcing him to swim for the shore in a hurry.
"You have a submarine now, at any rate!" laughed the younger boy, who went on a few feet farther, and then had to swim for it.
Jack and Percival were now in the lead, and the nearest to the goal, all the rest having had to swim for it by this time, and there was considerable excitement.
Both boys were great favorites and the fact of their entering such a novel contest just for the fun of it, and to please the boys and their visitors, was admired by everybody.