Part 9 (1/2)

”See, I told you!” Brad muttered. ”As soon as the going gets hard, he quits.”

”To win the 25-yard and the 50-yard dash, he won't need too much reserve,” Dan sighed. ”Well, I'll sure do my best to win, but I've got a dark brown feeling.”

On Sat.u.r.day, the day set for the swimming meet, enthusiasm had mounted to high pitch. By two o'clock, all the Cubs, their parents and many other spectators had gathered at the ”Y” to witness the contest.

Five events had been scheduled, fancy diving, the 25-yard free style race, the 50-yard swim, a 100-yard relay, and a back stroke event.

Points were to be awarded on the basis of five for first place, three for second, and one for third place. According to the rules, each team was allowed to enter two contestants in an event.

Den 2 swung off to a good start with Brad taking top honors and Midge Holloway coming in third. This lead of six to three brought enthusiastic cheers from the gallery.

The second event, the racing back crawl, proved discouraging to Den 2.

Though Chips Davis swam an excellent race, he lost to one of the Den 1 boys. Den 2, however, managed to snare both second and third places, giving them a total score of 10 to 8.

”From now on it will be nip and tuck,” Brad said grimly as the 25-yard free style was called. ”So far Ross Langdon hasn't had a chance to swim.”

At the crack of the gun, Dan and Ross. .h.i.t the water together. From that first moment of the race it was evident to the spectators that the remainder of the meet would resolve itself into a battle between the two swimmers.

Though Dan exerted his best efforts, Ross won the event by an easy six-foot margin. Dan was awarded second place, while another swimmer from Den 1 captured third position. The scoreboard proclaimed the discouraging totals: Den 1-14. Den 2-13.

Only two events remained, the 50-yard free style and the 100-yard relay.

However, Ross was entered in both events and the Cubs knew his flashy speed could be counted upon to win for his den.

”That boy is in top form today-if you can say he has any form,” Midge muttered, slapping Dan encouragingly on the back. ”Well, get in there and show him!”

”Sure, sure,” Dan laughed, but his words had a hollow ring.

As the Cubs of Den 2 expected, their rivals walked away with the relay by a score of 20 to 16.

”Fat chance we have of winning now,” Dan said as the final event of the meet was called. ”We'd have to make a complete sweep, and we'll be lucky to capture one place.”

”It sure looks bad for Den 2,” Brad agreed. ”But get in there and fight, boy! Ross acts a bit winded. He may not hold out.”

In the 50-yard free style, the Cubs were required to swim two lengths of the pool. Before the start of the race, an official reminded the boys that they must remain in their lanes and touch the wall at the turn or be disqualified.

At the crack of the gun Ross and Dan were off to a fast start, followed by the field of slower swimmers.

As Brad had observed, Ross seemed somewhat tired from his earlier performances. His stroke looked ragged and jerky. Dan by contrast forged smoothly ahead, pressing him hard every inch of the way.

At the turn, the two rivals were racing almost even. Determined to gain the lead, Ross lunged for the wall, his finger tips missing it by a scant margin. So rapidly did he turn, that few noticed.

Dan, tucking into a tight ball, also made a fast turn, but touched the wall. His shove-off however, was weak. When his head came out of water for a gulp of air, he was disconcerted to see that Ross was a full body length ahead.

”Come on, Dan!” his teammates yelled encouragingly. ”You can do it!”

Dan dug in, but his breath was coming hard. Despite his best efforts he could not recapture the lead. In a moment, it seemed, the race was over.

Ross had touched the finish wall a scant arm's length ahead, and was congratulated as the winner.

For the members of Den 2 it was slight consolation that Mack had won third place, nosing out a Den 1 swimmer. The scoreboard proclaimed Den 1 the victor by a total of 25 to 20.