Betty had used the last ounce of strength in her strong,
young arms and the result was a tie.
She and Frank laid hands upon the log at one and the same instant.
Frank shook the water from his eyes, and regarded his rival in
amazement. "How did you ever do it?" he questioned. "I thought I had you
beat a mile."
"Well, that's where you had another think coming." Betty would not have
been human had she not gloried in this victory--for even a tie with one
of Frank's strength and muscle was a triumph. "I told you I could
swim."
"Hoorah for the cham_peens_!" shouted Will as the others reached the
goal a few moments later. "That's pretty good work, Betty. I have to
hand it to you."
"Don't you think we had better get to the shore and rest a while?" Roy
suggested. "Amy and Grace seem to have gotten there before us, and Mrs.
Irving has gone back to the bungalow."
The others agreed and they all swam lazily toward the mossy bank. Betty
drew herself up and sank upon the grassy knoll with a sigh of utter
relaxation.
"I'd like to give you a longer race," said Frank, whose near defeat at
the hands of a girl was hard to bear.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127