he
slip. "I don't mean one or two----"

"Of course you don't," said Anita remorsefully. "I only wish I could go
in with you."

They soon reached the bend of the river which Allen had indicated, the
girls growing more nervous with every step.

"I tell you what you can do," said Allen, struck by a sudden thought.
"You and your sister can be the judges. In case there are any
ties--although, of course such a thing is improbable"--the girls refused
to become indignant at this shot--"we'll need somebody to settle our
dispute, and Mrs. Irving has flatly refused to interfere before this."

"All right, that will be fine--provided everybody agrees to abide by our
decision. You see, we are absolutely neutral."

"Oh, we won't kick at anything you say," Frank promised. "There is not
much I can say for this crowd. But one thing--we are good sports. All
in favor of Allen's proposition say 'Aye.'"

The vote was carried unanimously, and the newly made judges were
instructed by Will to "trot along to the finishing point" and wait till
they saw him leading the van. Then they would know who had won the race.
There was an ironic shout at this assertion and Conway's laugh came back
to them as he and his sister started to obey orders.

"Well, now, is everybody ready?" Roy asked, surveying the group
critically. "Suppose you girls get started. We won't jump in until one
of you gets well past that jut in the shore--then it's our time to show
a little speed."

"All right, we are ready," said Mollie. "Frank, when you say the word
we'll start."

The girls lined up with beating hearts, waiting for the word that would
relieve their taut muscles.

"One--two--three--_go_!" Frank counted, and the Outdoor Girls made a
running dive into the water, which was deep at this point, and struck
out strongly for the goal.

"Those girls sure can swim some," was Will's admiring comment.

"For girls," grunted Roy.

"Get ready now, fellows," commanded Allen. "They've almost reached the
point."

"I think we gave them too big a handicap," said Frank doubtfully. "They
swim like fish."

"You old croaker!" Will exclaimed. "Why, we ought to be able to beat
them with twice that handicap."

"Look out, Mollie has reached the point, fellows!" Allen shouted. "Now's
the time!"

Without more ado, the boys struck out bravely, determined to overtake
the girls in the shortest time possible. They found it was not so easy,
however, as might have been anticipate