larger and stronger, but on land only. I'm the
better swimmer. We're both floating now, but if you'll make a comparison,
Mr. Shepard, you'll find that I'm doing it with the greatest ease.
Take my advice, and swim to the southern bank of the river while I go to
the northern. I say it in all good faith."

"I've no doubt of that, but the young are likely to over-estimate their
powers. I'm a good swimmer, and you can't escape me."

"The important point is not whether I can escape you, but whether you can
escape me. Since you have lost your boat and your rifle and we're in
such a treacherous and unstable element as water, I occupy the superior
position. The young may indeed over-estimate their powers, but in
swimming at least I'm a competent critic. For instance, you're holding
your shoulders too high, and you kick too much. You're splashing water,
a useless waste of energy. Now observe me. The surface of this river is
rough. Little waves are yet running upon it, but I float as easily as a
fish, come up to see by the moon what time it is. It is not egotism on
my part, merely a recognition of the facts, but I warn you, Mr. Shepard,
to swim to the other shore and let me alone."

The two were not ten feet apart, and, despite the lightness of their talk,
their eyes burned with eagerness and intensity. Harry knew that Shepard
would not dream of turning back. Yet in the water he awaited the result
with a confidence that he would not have felt on land.

"It's your move, Mr. Shepard," he said.

The intensity of Shepard's gaze increased, and Harry never took his eyes
from those of his enemy. He intended like a prize fighter to read there
what the man's next effort would be.

"I don't see that it's my move," said Shepard, as he floated calmly.

"You're following me for the purpose of capturing me."

"To capture you, or delay you. Meanwhile, it seems to me that I'm
delaying you very successfully. I can't see that you're making much
progress towards Lee."

"That depends upon which way this river is flowing. You note that we
float gently with the stream."

"It's a poor argument. The Potomac flows directly by Washington, and
if we were to float on we'd float into the heart of great Northern
fortresses instead of Lee's camp."

"That's true as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough. I'm
leaving the river soon. You can have it all then."

"Thanks, but I think I'll go with you, Lieutenant Kenton."

"T