"What will be the prize?" asked the Captain.

Maude saw that Harry needed encouragement.

"I haven't anything with me but kisses and only one of them to
spare."

Harry shut his teeth with a snap. He was going to win that race.

As they were nearing the boat house Harry was in the lead, the
Captain close behind, with Quincy following leisurely. This was a
young people's race--married men barred. For some unexplainable
reason Captain Hornaby tried to cross Harry's bow. The project was
ill-timed and unsuccessful. Harry had just made a spurt and his canoe
went forward so fast that the Captain's boat, instead of clearing
his, struck it full in the side and Harry and Maude were thrown into
the water. Florence, who really loved her sister despite their many
quarrels, gave a loud scream and stood up in the boat. Her action was
fatal to its equilibrium, and the Captain and she were soon in the
water's embrace.

The accident occurred about two hundred feet from the shore where the
water was deep. Captain Hornaby grasped Florence and struck out for
the boat house float. She had fainted and did not impede him by
struggling.

Harry had essayed to bear Maude ashore, but she broke away from him
and swam vigorously towards land, Harry in pursuit.