martly. She had
been quick, but Dolly was just as quick, and they were on the most even
terms imaginable as the race began.

But Dolly and the _Eleanor_ had one advantage that Gladys was not
slow to recognize. The _Eleanor_ had the inside course. In a close
finish that would be very likely to spell the difference between victory
and defeat, since, to reach the opening, Gladys would either have to get
far enough ahead to cross the _Eleanor's_ bows or else to cross
behind her, which would entail so much loss of time that Dolly would be
certain to bring her craft home a winner. But since the previous racing
had shown the _Defiance_ to be just a trifle swifter before the
wind, that advantage seemed to be one that Gladys could easily overcome.

Now that she was racing, however, Dolly changed her tactics. Fresh as
the wind was, she shook out a reef in her mainsail, and as they neared
the bar the _Eleanor_ actually carried more canvas than Gladys
dared to keep on the _Defiance_, Being less used to heavy going
than Dolly, she was not so sure of the strength of her sticks, and
reckless though she was, she was too wise to be willing to take a chance
of being dismasted.

And so the advantage that Gladys had to gain to be able to cross the
_Eleanor's_ bows seemed to be impossible for her to attain. The
_Eleanor_ did not go ahead, but she held her own, and she had the
right of way.

"You're going to beat her again, and fair and square this time," said
Eleanor, excitedly. "She won't be able to say a word to this!"

"Look!" said Dolly, suddenly. "She's going to cross me--and she's got no
right to do it!" She shouted loudly. "Gladys! Gladys! I'll run you down!
Don't do that! I've got the right of way!"

But Gladys kept on with a mocking laugh. Furious at the trick, Dolly put
her helm hard over, and the _Eleanor_ came up in the wind.

"That's a mean trick, if you like!" cried Dolly, indignantly. "In a
regular race, if she did a thing like that, the other boat would run her
down, and would win on a foul. But she knew very well I'd give up the
position rather than cause an accident!"

The check to the _Eleanor_ was only for a moment, but it was enough
to throw her off her course and make it certain that the _Defiance_
would reach the bar first.

"Never mind, Dolly. You did the right thing," said Eleanor, quietly. "I
think she's quite welcome to the race, if she cares enough about winning
it to play a trick like that!"

Bessie