emarks of the bystanders. The twins
certainly did manage their canoe in admirable style.

The rhythm of their bodies, as they swayed to the paddling, was perfect.
Their strokes were deep and in unison. The drops that flashed from their
paddles as they came out of the water shone like jewels in the sun. The
twins had a splendid reach and at every stroke the light canoe leaped
ahead and trembled through all its frame.

Other boating parties saw them coming and gave the twins a clear
way--all but Hester and Lily. They seemed to be waiting, and Hester
flung a backward look every now and then as the Lockwood girls drew
farther out into the lake.

"They're speeding up, too," said Dorothy to her sister.

"Let's race them, if they want to," Dora returned. "Who's afraid?"

"You know Mrs. Case would rather we did not race crews that intend to
compete for the trophies."

"We--ell! The lake's free. And we're going the same way Hester and Lily
are. If they race us, what's the odds?"

Dorothy was just as eager for a trial of speed as her sister. She
nodded, and increased the power of her stroke, for she chanced to have
the bow.

Immediately Hester and Lily redoubled their efforts and the handsome
canoe belonging to the butcher's daughter shot ahead at a swifter pace.
But the twins were in fine fettle, and their craft gradually crept up on
the one in the lead.

It was evident to everybody who was near that Hester and Lily were
putting forth all their strength to keep the Lockwoods from passing
them, and some of the nearby boating parties cheered the race on.

Dora and Dorothy kept steadily at work, speaking no word, but gradually
increasing their stroke until their craft was fairly flying through the
calm water. Hester and Lily were older girls, and heavier; but they
hadn't the lithe strength and skill of the twins.

Nearer and nearer the latter's canoe drew to Hester Grimes's boat. The
twins were breathing easily, but to their full lung capacity, when they
drew beside the other canoe; but they could hear Hester pant and Lily
groan as they strained at the paddles.

On and on crept the second canoe, its bow soon at the middle of Hester's
boat. Only a couple of yards divided the contestants. Several four-oared
boats and the boys' eight-oared shell kept pace with them, and cheered
the race.

The twins weaved back and forth like a perfect piece of mechanism. It
was a pretty sight to watch them. The paddling of Hester and h