s sprang, laughing, into the water. Jan needed but a kind word
from his brother to make him happy again. Off they started for the Round
Rock, where the spray was dashing high.

The black heads bobbed up and down in the waves, drawing nearer and
nearer to the rock. Gradually they separated, and some fell behind. The
lads could not all keep up the gay strokes with which they had begun the
race. Four held the lead; Boise and Cadoc, the lighthouse-keeper's sons,
Gil, and Jan.

Almost abreast they rounded the rock, and began the long stretch back to
the beach. Soon Boise began to fall behind. In a little while Cadoc's
strength failed also. They shouted, laughingly, that they were fairly
beaten, and those who were on shore began to cry encouragement to the
two brothers, who alone were left in the race.

"Gil! Jan! Oh, Gil! Oh, Jan! Hasten, lads, for one of you is the
champion. Hurrah! Hurrah!"

Gil was in high spirits, for he was still in the lead. "Hurry, little
brother," he cried, "or I shall beat you badly. Oho! You can dive, but
that is scarcely swimming, my fine lad. You had better hurry, or I win."

And Jan did hurry. He put forth all his strength as he had never done
before. Soon the black heads bobbed side by side in the water, and Gil
ceased to laugh and jest, for it was now a struggle in good earnest. He
shut his teeth angrily, straining forward with all his might. But push
as he would, Jan kept close beside. At last, when within a few yards of
the beach, Jan gave a little laughing shout and shot through the water
like a flash. He had been saving his strength for this,--and he had won!

The other boys dragged him up the beach with shouts and cheers of
welcome to the new champion, while Gil, who had borne that title for so
long, crawled ashore unaided.

"Hurrah for Jan!" they cried, tossing their caps and dancing happily,
for Jan was a great favorite. "Hurrah for the little brother! Now Gil
must take the second place. You are the big brother now!" And they
laughed and jeered at Gil,--not maliciously, but because they were
pleased with Jan.

Jan ran to Gil and held out his hand for his brother's congratulations,
but Gil thrust it aside. "It was not a fair race!" he sputtered.
"Unfair, unfair, I vow!"

The others gathered around, surprised to see Gil so angry and with such
wild eyes.

"Gil, oh, Gil! What do you mean?" cried Jan, turning very pale. "Why was
it not a fair race, brother?"

"Brother! You are