A CLOSE BATTLE
Miss Talley, in a boat by herself, with the four competing boats lined up on either side of her, gave the signal for the start.
They had drawn lots for position, and to Jo and Sadie had fallen the poorest of all. They were on the outside—the boat nearest the shore. Consequently they would be on the outer rim of the fleet as it rounded the island.
This did not worry them so much as the fact that Carol and Ruth had drawn best position. Jo and Sadie felt fairly confident that they could beat the other entrants, but they were not so sure about Ruth and Carol. They had watched these girls work and knew they were good. Now, with the added advantage of a good position, it looked as though their rivals would win.
Then came the wild burst of cheering from shore. Nan's words came clearly to her chums. So did the cry of Lottie Sparks!
The two girls whose boat held the worst position in the line-up, stiffened.
"We'll beat them, Jo!" cried Sadie.
"Do or die!" returned Jo.
"Now, girls!" called Miss Talley. "Ready!"
In her hand was the string attached to the toy cannon that was to give them their signal to start. There was a loud boom and eight pairs of oars struck the water at the same instant.