"You are not going to win this race, Billy," laughed Percival, as he
spun ahead. "You can't take all the prizes, my boy, and I am going
to beat you this time."
"Maybe not!" chuckled Billy, using both hands and making the water
fly. "This is a U.S., not a U-boat, and I'm bound to win."
Jack was full of the spirit of the thing, and pushed the acknowledged
rivals hard, presently passing Percival, and shouting to Billy:
"Look out, my boy, I am coming after you! Don't take in too much
water. It isn't good."
"Come on, Jack!" shouted Billy. "I am not going to the bottom
yet, my-----"
Just then young Smith collided with him, and his tub filled in an
instant, forcing him to swim for the shore in a hurry.
"You have a submarine now, at any rate!" laughed the younger boy, who
went on a few feet farther, and then had to swim for it.
Jack and Percival were now in the lead, and the nearest to the goal,
all the rest having had to swim for it by this time, and there was
considerable excitement.
Both boys were great favorites and the fact of their entering such
a novel contest just for the fun of it, and to please the boys and
their visitors, was admired by everybody.
There was an even chance for each of the boys, but the odds were in
favor of Jack, although Percival was no less liked by the Hilltop
boys.
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