In a few seconds those who had so mysteriously entered, the race were far up in the line with those who had first started. The girl was wonderfully graceful, and the man showed marked skill at the paddle. He was trying to keep close to her, that was evident, but at a cheer from the shore and from the outlying boats the girl shot ahead and was soon out of hearing of the man, who evidently was her companion.
"She will beat him—she will beat them all!" declared Cora, and this was the opinion of most of the thousands of spectators.
"But if she does," faltered Belle, "do you suppose she will go to the stand dressed like that to receive the prize?"
"We shall see," said Cora. "At any rate this combination is far more interesting than the real race."
A red canoe was alongside the girl in the light one. For a few moments it seemed she would be outdone. Then, with a clever light dip of her paddle, that scarcely seemed to touch the water, the Fern Island girl was again ahead.
The first course had been covered and the boats were turned back for the final run.
"The man has dropped out," said Belle, "See there he is just floating along."
"He wouldn't be beaten, I suppose," Cora surmised, "Any one could see that the girl would come in first."
"They are coming back and she has not started," said Belle, who had the marine glasses.
"But she will," declared Cora.