Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/119

Rh to be getting a little advantage the other three turned upon him as the common enemy.

When half way over one fellow made a misplay with his paddle. Losing his balance he lurched out of his novel craft with a tremendous splash, at which the shouts of the spectators swelled into even greater volume.

This left just three in the race. The fellow in the river was trying hard to climb into his tub again, but the task was too much for him, and he found himself being quickly distanced in the race.

The antics of the competing tubs were astonishing. There were times when one of them would get to spinning around, and it took all the muscular efforts of the navigator to bring order of chaos.

Meanhile the other two would have gained something of a lead, so that the fellow left behind must needs paddle with tremendous zeal to catch up.

Near the other shore a stake showed where the return journey must be begun; and heading toward this the three tub champions kept up their energetic work.

Buster rounded the stake first. There was a grin on his face as if he anticipated an easy victory now. He immediately increased his lead until he had placed considerable distance between himself and his rivals.

Then he unfortunately turned his head to look