“That’s what the Captain says about you, that you won’t stay put,” she said.
The Captain had come down to the island in the afternoon and gone over the racing boats carefully with Tom and the Admiral. Finally they had pronounced everything “fit,” as the Captain said, and started to go when Polly asked for an opinion as to which one stood the best chance of winning the race.
“With a fair wind and tide, anyone of them is liable to win,” the Captain declared flatly. “They’re the knowingest lot of boats on the bay, anyhow. Start them properly, and lash their tillers, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t start and race by themselves.”
There were light appetites at breakfast the next morning.
“Mah sakes alive,” protested Aunty, “how you spec you going to win any race and old silver cup an’ saucer, lessen you get good inside linings so your ribs don’t stick together, honeys?”
But it was no use. Chocolate and toast was the repast, and then they dressed for the race. The start was to be at ten from the Orienta. Bess and Dorothy crossed the bay on the Tidy Jane with Polly, then took their own yacht. The girls had precious little to say to each other. Just before the moment of starting, Commodore Vaughan made them a little speech from the deck of the committee launch, commending them highly for their ardor in outdoor sport, and the spirit of good fellowship that existed among them all.
“There is a double emulation in all this,” he remarked. “This is a race between two clubs, and a race between individuals as well. You may beat the Juniors, or the Juniors may beat the Polly Page Club, but besides that you will win or lose from each other, even as members of the same club. I wish you a fair wind and all success.” He glanced at his watch, hesitated, and just on the touch of the hands at ten, gave the signal for the start.
Sue was the first to gain. For some reason Polly and Nancy blundered in the get-away. It looked as if each had tried to give the other one the advantage in the start, but as they all slipped down the bay they looked like a flock of white winged sea birds, flying low.
South they sailed towards Lost Island and Aunty Welcome came out on the porch and waved a tablecloth at them excitedly, so they would feel encouraged. The committee boat puffed behind, and picked up two of the Juniors at the end of the first mile, when they became confused over tacking around the small islands. Nancy was ahead now with the Pirate, and Kate’s Witch Cat second, with the Nixie pushing her way steadily towards them. When they passed Smugglers’ Island, the Doctor was waiting for them in his motor boat, and the Natica joined the committee yacht as a sort of marine rear guard.
To Polly the first five miles seemed like a dream. She could feel the Tidy Jane spring to the touch of the waves, and her heart seemed to leap with it. When they neared the Point, she saw the white-clad crew come down from the station, and caught the hearty cheer they sent ringing over the water to the girl sailors.