“We’ll be ready in a minute,” replied Grant. “We want to get all our wind back and remove all the water from this canoe first.”
“That’s right,” said Herbert Halsey. “You fellows take your time.”
The suggestion of the blue team that the next event be made a relay race around the island, had met with an enthusiastic response from their rivals. Two teams from each camp were to compete and each team was to paddle once around. The first pairs consisted of George and Fred, from the blue team and opposed to them were Herbert Halsey and Franklin Dunbar, from the red. Finishing the race were Grant and John, against Hugh McNeale and Thomas Adams. Each camp had selected its strong team to paddle last, hoping to win the race by a powerful finish.
“I guess we’re all ready now,” said Grant, when a few moments had elapsed. “We’ll go ahead any time you say.”
“All right,” said Mr. Maxwell. “Now remember the rules; the starting line is directly opposite this dock and I’ve got some string which we will use for tape at the finish. Each team is to paddle once around the island. When the second relay starts, the two canoes that have finished will be stationed out here about twenty feet apart and this string will be stretched between them; that will be the finish line. All four canoes will be used of course and the second relay must not start until those completing the first have touched the canoes with their paddles. Is it all clear?”
“All clear,” said Grant, and Thomas answered for his side.
“Very well,” exclaimed Mr. Maxwell. “The first canoes may take their places and the second relay had better be ready too.”
George and Fred pushed out from the dock and paddled slowly to the starting point; Herbert and Franklin followed close behind.
When they were in position, and by the way the red team had drawn the course nearest shore, Mr. Maxwell lifted his small megaphone and gave his final instructions.
“Remember,” he called, “once around, and the inside team this lap will be the outside next. Don’t get mixed up.”