At the time appointed, however, he took the crew out on the water,
and there carefully explained what he thought he had learned of
the better paddling style of the Preston High School boys.
"You certainly did see a whole lot that I didn't see," Reade admitted,
"and I believe that you saw it straight, too, Dick."
"We can certainly shoot the old canoe ahead faster, already,"
Dave murmured delightedly.
"Now, Dick, what are the improvements you thought you might have
on the Preston style?" Danny Grin asked eagerly.
"To-morrow will be time enough to try out improvements, or any
kind of frills," Prescott answered patiently. "For this afternoon
let us confine ourselves to paddling as well as the Preston High
School fellows do it. To-morrow we'll see if we can't do better
than they do."
After a little more practice it was surprising how much more easily
they took to the new style of paddling.
"Rest on your paddles for a few minutes," Dick ordered. "Get
in some deep breaths. Then I'm going to pump up your speed to
the best that you can do with the new stroke. We'll try to go
to the hotel landing flying."
When all was ready Prescott gave the word.
"Now, your best speed, and all the strength you can properly put
into the work. Go! One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!"
Across the lake sped the canoe, Dick & Co. fully aware that they
were now traveling at a speed that had been impossible to them
that same morning.
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