Dick and Hi stepped nimbly to the edge of the raft, poising with hands pointed.
Bang! The splash was simultaneous as the swimmers struck the water.

Each swimmer made a shallow dive and came up.

Hi at once dropped into an overhead stroke, Dick relying upon a side stroke.
For the first seventy-five yards, as nearly as the onlookers could judge, the boys swam nose and nose.
"I'll tire this fellow out with a good pace, and then take a better one," thought Hi Martin.

"I'm going to make a finish that will stop Dick Prescott from bragging whenever he sees me around hereafter." Dick still swam well, but gradually Martin stole ahead of him.
"Where's Prescott now ?" jeered a dozen North Grammar boys.
"Centrals, send out a launch to tow your champ! Then maybe he'll make better time." Hi swam steadily and rapidly until he had more than half covered the course.

Then he ventured on a look behind him.
"Prescott won't catch up all day," grinned Hi to himself.