The course was so short that both boys knew the race would be over almost before they could regain lost ground.
Dan’s paddle dipped smoothly and fast. His keen eyes sweeping the water made a startling discovery.
The course had been laid out in such a way that it included a stretch of the swift current which flowed down-river to the hidden cave.
Ross and Donald obviously were unaware that their canoe was traveling parallel to the ribbon of fast water.
“Brad!” Dan exclaimed, directing his companion’s gaze to the current.
The older boy instantly saw the fast water, and with a hard surge of the paddle, could have steered the Den 2 canoe into it. But he hesitated.
“Would it be fair?” he muttered.
Dan understood what his friend meant. Ross and Donald were unaware of the fast current which if utilized, undoubtedly would give a canoeist a decided advantage.
Once in the swift-moving ribbon of water, the Den 2 canoe easily might overtake the other craft. But would it then be a test of skill? Hadn’t Mr. Hatfield said that it wasn’t winning that mattered but the manner in which victory was achieved that counted?
“Skip it,” he answered Brad’s terse question. “We’ll win by our own skill, or not at all.”