ceremony. Up went the Stars and Stripes, without a pause, and
just as it reached the top of the pole and yielded its folds to
the breeze the sun broke through the clouds and bathed it in a
golden glory. The girls cheered and burst into a lusty rendition
of the "Star Spangled Banner," after which Migwan's patriotic
poem was recited amid much applause.

Then began the water sports, which opened with canoe races. The
four who were not in this took their seats on the shore, being
placed by Nyoda with great formality, and passed Nakwisi's
spy-glass from hand to hand. Hinpoha and Nakwisi, and Sahwah and
Migwan were partners in the races. First they raced for
distance, paddling around the nearest island and coming back to
the dock. Hinpoha and Nakwisi came out ahead, because Migwan,
who was paddling stem in her canoe, lost time steering around the
island. Then came an obstacle race, in which the girls paddled
up to the dock, disembarked, dragged the canoes across the dock
and launched them again on the other side. Again Hinpoha and
Nakwisi won.

Then came a race between the two crews with the paddlers standing
on the gunwales, which tested the skill of the girls to the
uttermost. With superhuman effort they kept their balance and
came sweeping in neck and neck, the watchers on shore cheering
lustily. "Go it, Hinpoha!" shouted Nyoda, and Hinpoha raised her
head to look at her, lost her balance, and upset the canoe,
leaving Sahwah and Migwan the victors.

The spectators applauded heartily, and sang cheers for the
winners, when suddenly the applause was echoed from behind them.