"Make every stroke count! Full muscle! Never mind your backs! One, two, three, four!" A splendid showing Gridley made.

Soon the lead of the rivals was less than two lengths.
"Steam-ho!" called Hartwell.

"Hot sail!" Preston's paddles flashed in the sunlight in unison, in the best, swiftest stroke they had yet shown.

Over on shore the Preston boosters let their lungs loose in cheering yells.
"Wait for a tugboat, Prescott!" "You're up against the real thing, Gridley!" "Come on in, Hartwell! The other canoe is tied to the shore!" "More steam!" ordered Dick.

"More steam! Your best, prize winning stroke now." Again Hartwell glanced backward.