Steer for the two blasted pines at the lower end of the lake." "That's good," Dick agreed.
Very gently the war canoe ranged alongside, her bark sides, well-oiled, glistening in the sunlight.

The Preston canoe was not of bark, but of cedar frame, covered with canvas.
Hartwell evidently wanted a wholly fair race, for he even allowed the "Scalp-hunter's" prow the lead of a couple of feet before he shouted: "Go it!" Amid a great flashing of paddles the two canoes started.

The Preston High School craft soon obtained a lead of a foot or so, and held it.

Now the contest was a stubborn one.

Gridley gained two feet more.
"You see," called Dick in a low voice, "this is the Gridley way." "Is it ?" Hartwell inquired.