"It's pretty hard luck," said Mollie, sympathetically, "to have to stay out of the water on days like this. Say, girls, do you think we have a chance in the world of even keeping up with the boys?" she asked, anxious, now that the moment of the test had come.
"Why, of course we can," said Betty, pretending a confidence she did not feel. "Especially if the boys give us the heavy handicap we agreed on. I didn't want them to, but I guess it may come in handy."
"Well, are you ready?" cried Mollie, jumping up. "I am. Come on, girls, let's show them something!" and she was off down the stairs with the others close behind.
CHAPTER XXII
MOLLIE WINS
The Outdoor Girls found the boys waiting for them, and evidently as eager as the girls to begin the race.
"Well, it didn't take you very long," Frank remarked; for the boys had never ceased to marvel that girls could be on time.
"What point do you start from?" asked Conway, as they started off together. "How long is the race, anyway?" he added.
"Well," said Allen, electing himself spokesman, "we decided on a starting point about a quarter of a mile from here. You see, from a sharp turn there, there is, for about three-quarters of a mile, a course almost straight. So, you see, that makes a fairly good course."