y 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. In fact, there was scarcely any accomplishment possible in
rapid swimming which he did not give us the benefit of.

But it was evident some of his friends did not approve of his style. I
heard one of them, running near me, growl, "I wish he would give over
his capers and swim like a rational animal."

"Rational or not, he's keeping his lead," said another, and so he was.
Plodding Jim, with his everlasting chest-stroke, was half a dozen yards
or so behind, and did not look like picking up either. Nevertheless, we
cheered him like mad, and kept up our hopes that he would "stay out" the
better of the two.

When both turned at the top of the reach, Chesney gave up his fanciful
swimming, and, to our alarm, settled down to a side-stroke, which for a
time looked powerful and effective. But he had been too confident all
along, and now, when he reckoned on shaking off his opponent and getting
a clear lead, he found out he was destined to do just the reverse. What
long faces the "sixers" pulled as their man began to puff and slacken
pace! A half-mile race is no joke, believe me; and so Chesney began to
find out. Before half the distance back was covered he showed
unmistakable signs of going to pieces, and--a very ominous sign--took to
changing from one side to another at very frequent intervals.

Of course we "fivers" howled with delight! Our man had never turned a
hair, and was now pulling up at every stroke. As he drew level, Chesney
gathered up all his remaining strength for a spurt. But it came to
nothing. Jim held on his way almost remorselessly, and headed his man
fifty yards from the winning-post; and the next thing we saw was Chesney
pulling up dead, and making for the bank in a very feeble condition.
Jim quietly swam on amid our frantic plaudits, and lan