Billie gave the word to go, and they were off, swinging easily over the glassy water. For some distance they maintained the same pace, bow to bow. Then, by degrees, Rose’s boat drew ahead.
“Steady!” cautioned Billie, as Edina’s hand tightened nervously on the oar. “Watch my stroke and time yours with it That’s it! Easy now!”
The other craft was two boat-lengths ahead. Ray shouted a derisive challenge.
“Now!” said Billie. “Keep time with me, Edina. Faster—a little faster. Now then! Let’s show the speed of that good right arm!”
The oars struck the water in perfect unison, poised, struck, poised again, swifter, swifter, increasing that rhythmic stroke.
“Now!” cried Billie. “Put your back into it, Edina!”
With a magnificent final burst of speed, the boat swept through the water, reaching the point well ahead of its rival.
Billie waved exultantly.
“Well,” she jeered happily, “you wanted to give us revenge, didn’t you? And we are nothing if not obliging!”