Part 25 (2/2)

”I know, but the boat isn't trimmed properly, and she can't do her best unless she is.”

”Like us girls,” remarked Belle. ”We, too, must be properly trimmed to do our best.”

”Trimmed!” exclaimed Lottie. ”I don't see any frills on the _Chelton_.”

”You may later, if we win the race,” said Bess. ”But what Cora means is that the boat isn't properly balanced. There is too much weight on the starboard side.”

”Oh, then I'm on the starboard side,” said Lottie.

”Yes, or on the right, according to the new navy rules,” agreed Cora.

”But, really, someone must s.h.i.+ft.”

”But if I go over there I'm afraid the spray will get on my dress,”

objected Lottie. ”And it spots terribly, especially with salt water.”

”I'll change over,” said Marita. ”I don't mind if my dress does get wet.”

”You're a dear,” sighed Lottie, as she settled back among the cus.h.i.+ons.

”And you're a bit selfish,” thought Cora.

The _Chelton_, now in better trim, skimmed over the bay. Behind her came the _Pickerel_. And, as Cora looked back she noted that the young man's craft was slowly overtaking her.

”He has more speed than I thought he had,” she mused.

Foot by foot the young man urged his boat onward. Clearly he was not of that false chivalrous type that permits a lady to win whether she has the ability or not. To a really athletic girl, pitted against a man in an equal contest, nothing is more humiliating than to realize that her opponent is not putting forth all his powers. There are some men who will never try too hard to win from a woman. This stranger was evidently not of that type, and Cora valued him accordingly.

”Can you get up any more speed?” asked Belle, anxiously.

”I've got a bit left,” said Cora, as she opened the throttle a little wider. ”And I think I'll need it,” she added.

”He certainly is coming on,” added Belle in a low voice. ”Are we getting too near the rocks, Cora?”

”No, it's safe so far. But I think I'll go out a bit. I want to win this race.”

CHAPTER XVIII

MORE SUSPICIONS

Cora Kimball well knew the capabilities of the _Chelton_. She had steered other motor craft in many races, and was aware, almost to a revolution, just how much speed was available in a boat of this kind.

And while she did not know what the rival boat could do, she was too expert at water sports to use up her last reserve of speed.

So, even while she watched the other boat creep up on her, she did not open the throttle to its fullest extent, nor did she advance the timer, which controlled the spark, to the limit.

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