They emptied the water out of the canoe and proceeded again to the
battleground. Then, when Scarborough gave the word, Carroll began
paddling madly; he and Westby bore down upon their antagonists at a most
threatening speed. Morrill swung to the right to get out of their path;
and then suddenly Carroll swung in the opposite direction—with what
strategic purpose neither Irving nor Scarborough had time to conjecture.
For they were loitering close on that side, not expecting any such
manœuvre; the sharp turn drove the bow of Carroll’s canoe straight for
the waist of Scarborough’s, and Westby with an excited laugh undertook
to fend off with his pole, lost his balance, and trying to recover it,
upset both canoes together.

Irving felt himself going, heard Westby’s laughing shout, “Look out, Mr.
Upton!” and then went under.

[Illustration: THE CANOES SWUNG ABOUT AND MADE FOR EACH OTHER]




CHAPTER III

WESTBY’S AMUSEMENTS


The water was warm, but Irving swallowed a good deal of it and also was
conscious of the fact that he had on a perfectly good suit of clothes.
So he came to the surface, choking and annoyed; and when he recovered
his faculties, he observed first of all Westby’s grinning face.