"Oh, here! Nita, hold on to my hand while you let yourself down flat on your stomach! Then try and kick out as Zan does," advised Hilda.
Nita obeyed and held clutchingly on Hilda's hand. Just as she felt herself touching rock-bottom and experienced the delightful sensation of being buoyed up by the water, Elena, who had been experimenting alone, splashing out arms and legs, suddenly came in contact with the timid beginner and shoved her under water. Nita excitedly caught hold of Hilda's foot and a second unexpected dive took place, with Hilda, the heavy, on top of Elena, the light.
More cries and shouts from the tobogganed beginners, and yells and laughs from their audience. Then, the Guide started across to show the three girls how to begin.
After fifteen minutes more of practice, Miss Miller said, "Time to come out, girls. We've been in over half an hour, and that is quite enough for the first dip."
"Dear me, at this snail's pace, we will be Wayseekers all summer!" grumbled Hilda.
"Oh, no you won't! In a week's time you'll be swimming a few strokes and in another week probably you can do fifty yards. Your power of endurance will determine how soon you can swim the hundred yards," said Miss Miller, as they reached the camp, and went in to dress.
"Not one of us remembered to count our hundred yards, although I'm sure I did fully five hundred all told," said Zan.
"Counting that under-water trick—yes, maybe you did!" replied Jane, giving Zan a look that boded no peace for the future.
"How does every one feel! Weary—or right for a short tramp up the ravine?" came from the Guide who dressed first and was waiting on the Bluff for the girls.