“I’m going to stay down on one knee like this, too.”
“That’s a good scheme. Lock your feet around that thwart if you can. We want to beat those fellows.”
“All ready?” came the call from shore.
“All ready,” answered Grant, and Thomas did the same.
“Go,” shouted Mr. Maxwell, and the match was on.
Franklin and George did not try to make speed however. In fact they were both very cautious and as a consequence, the two canoes approached each other slowly. Both pilots seemed willing to let the other man lead off in the attack.
“Careful, Pop,” said Grant, without relaxing his gaze from his opponent’s face for one instant.
“All right. I’m watching them.”
Grant, crouched on one knee, was holding the pole as a mediæval knight would have held his lance in a jousting tournament. Thomas however, stood up in his canoe, gaining a little freedom of action perhaps, but at the same time increasing his chances of going overboard.
The canoes were only a few feet apart now and the bow men braced themselves for the onslaught.