"Knock him out of the boat." The other boy made no answer, but with a quick turn of his wrist twisted his boat out of its direct course and sent it skimming off to one side.
Then dropping one oar, he caught up the other with both hands, and with a rapid, dexterous swing swept a cataract of water in Gordon's face, drenching him, blinding him, and filling his eyes, mouth, and ears with the unexpected deluge.

Gordon gasped and sputtered, and before he could recover from this unlooked-for flank movement, another turn of the wrist brought the attacking boat sharp across his bow, and, with a shout of triumph, Norman wrenched the defiant flag out of its socket.
Gordon had no time for thought.

He had time only to act.

With a cry, half of rage, half of defiance, he sprang up on the point of the bow of his boat, and with outstretched arms launched himself at the bow of the other, where the captor had flung the flag, to use both oars.

His boat slipped from under his feet, and he fell short, but caught the gunwale of the other, and dragged himself up to it.