However, he did not seem at first to be any the worse off for he took a slight lead of Jim, going through the water swiftly and easily, with as pretty a side-stroke as any fellow's at the school.

In point of style there was no comparison between the two.

Jim pounded along monotonously, but steadily, with a square front, preserving all along the same regular stroke, the same pace, and the same dogged expression of countenance with which he had entered the water.

His rival, on the other hand, delighted the spectators by all kinds of graceful variety.
Now he darted forward on his side, now on his back.

Sometimes he refreshed himself by a swift dive, and sometimes he swung his arms like a windmill.