"See that old tree stump out there?"
"Yes."
"Well, let us swim to that and back to this rock. The first fellow to do it wins the race."
All were willing, and at the word from Fred each struck out as best he could. Soon Bart was in the lead, with Joe not far behind him. Fred was too stout to make rapid headway, and it is doubtful if he had any notion of winning the race when he suggested it.
"Come on, Fred, we'll show you the way!" shouted Bart, merrily.
"Don't—don't say a word!" spluttered the stout youth. "I'm watching to see that you swim fair!"
"Take care that we don't swim out of sight!" sang out Joe, gleefully.
He began to swim faster than before, and soon his sturdy strokes took him alongside of Bart. Both touched the tree trunk at the same time.
"Now for the home stretch!" cried Bart. And he struck out harder than ever.
Joe also turned, and both swam a distance of several yards.