Laughing and joking the two crews paddled back to the place up the river from which the race always started, leaving a little group of judges at the tree which marked the goal. “Look out for them a little,” said Isabel to her crew. “They are pretty good, but if they get nervous, no telling what will happen. They are taking it seriously. Give them lots of room.”
“They are good,” said Virginia. “I watched them the other day when I was waiting for you all. But I think we can beat them.”
“Mercy, Virgie, if there is any doubt of that, let me ‘bend to my oars’!”
“They are only one class behind ourselves, remember, Beatrice.”
“Did you hear that, Martha, and the rest of you?”
Not having any one up river to give a signal, Isabel herself, after asking if the other crew were ready, gave it after her usual fashion,—“On your mark, get set, go!” Onward glided the two canoes, the girls all striving for absolutely correct paddling, and increasing speed as they thought necessary. The juniors had in mind the coming race and shot ahead very soon. The seniors, academy, redoubled their efforts in order to gain lost ground, and as they were not equal to the juniors either in strength or in practice, found it a difficult task. The juniors slowed down a little, because they had entered this race chiefly to see how it would seem to have company, most of the way, at least. The other crew thought this their opportunity, and with all their might sent their canoe ahead of the other. But, alas, one paddle “caught a crab,” as the girls said; her paddle flew out of her hands; she leaned after it, causing great disturbance among the crew, and the canoe, whirling across the stream, struck the junior canoe. In a moment the girls were in the river, both crews.
Isabel came up, blowing the water from her lips, and found Virgie opposite to her as both reached the overturned canoe and clung to it. Other heads were bobbing up around them.
“Virgie,” said Isabel, “You see if our girls are all here while I swim after the kids. I think they can all swim, but you never can tell what they may hit.”
Isabel did not stop to think that the girls were never permitted to go canoeing unless they could swim, but had very clearly in mind her own accident. The presence of one of the best swimmers in the school was of great encouragement to the younger girls, some of whom were frightened by the sudden overturning. All had come to the surface, however, and were swimming for dear life, or floating to rest. Isabel helped catch the canoe, but took one white-faced girl to shore immediately. It was not far, and there was no such current as there had been when Cathalina and Hilary had gone after Isabel.
“All’s well that ends well,” called Isabel as the other girls brought in the canoe. “You S. A’s won the race, if you did upset us to do it. I’ll be over with that fudge. At what time do you want it? I’ll make it right after dinner.”