“You watch!” he shouted back. “I’m going to win!”
And it did seem as though he had a good chance. Whether it was his weight, or the way in which he used the paddle, was not manifested, but he certainly forged ahead.
He managed to turn the stake-boat first, though Snail Looper was a close second. Boxer Hall was out of it in this race, her two representatives seemingly not able to do much. But the two Fairview lads were pressing Dutch and Snail closely.
“Here I come! Here I come!” cried Dutch, as, amid increased laughter, the four lads neared the finishing line close to the float. But he did not see how near one of the Fairview lads was to him.
[Then one of the latter tubs collided with that of Dutch.] He uttered a surprised exclamation, turned to look, and his paddle slipped from his grasp.
[THEN ONE OF THE LATTER TUBS COLLIDED WITH THAT OF DUTCH.]
“Come back here!” yelled he, making a grab for it.
Alas for Dutch! He over-balanced himself, or perhaps he was dizzy from the whirling. At any rate overboard he went with a splash.