But just that little fraction was what was needed.  The Gem went ahead almost by inches only, but it was enough.  The Eagle’s crew of three girls tried in vain to coax another revolution out of her propeller, but it was not to be, and the Gem shot over the line a winner.  A winner, but by so narrow a margin that the judges conferred a moment before making the announcement.  But they finally made it.  The Gem had undoubtedly won.

“Oh!” exclaimed Grace as she climbed out into the cabin, and thence to the deck, followed by Amy.  “Oh, my hand is numb holding the ends of that wire together.  I didn’t dare let go——­ "

“It was brave of you!” exclaimed Betty, patting Grace on the shoulder.  “If you had let go we would have lost.  We’ll bathe your hand for you in witch hazel.”

“Oh, it is only cramped.  It will be all right in a little while.”

“What a din they are making!” cried Amy, covering her ears with her hands.

“They are saluting the winner,” said Mollie, as she noted the tooting of many boat whistles.  Betty slowed down her boat, and saluted as she swept past the boat of the judges.

“Well, I’m glad it’s over,” sighed Grace.  “It was nervous work.  I’m going to make some chocolate, and have it iced.  It was warm up there by the motor.”

“And you both need baths,” remarked Mollie with a laugh.  “You are as grimy as chimney sweeps.”

“Yes, but we don’t mind,” said Amy.  “You won, Betty!  I’m so glad!”

“We won, you mean,” corrected the Little Captain.  “I couldn’t have done it except for you girls,”

Many craft saluted the Gem as she came off the course.

“I wish Uncle Amos could have seen us!” exclaimed Betty.  “He would have been proud.”  The girls remained as spectators for the remainder of the carnival, and then, the day being warm, they went to their dock.  Near it was a sandy bathing beach, and soon they were swimming about in the limpid waters of Rainbow Lake.

“Here goes for a dive!” cried Mollie, as she climbed out on the end of the pier, and mounted a mooring post.  She poised herself gracefully.

“Better not—­ you don’t know how deep it is,” cautioned Betty.

“I’m only going to take a shallow dive,” was the answer and then Mollie’s slender body shot through the air in a graceful curve, and cut down into the water.  A second later she bobbed up, shaking her head to rid her eyes of water.

“That was lovely!” cried Grace.

“Did I splash much?”

“Not at all.”

“It’s real deep there,” said Mollie.  “Some day I’m going to try to touch bottom.”

The girls splashed about, refreshing themselves after the race.  Then came calm evening, when they sat on deck and ate supper prepared by Aunt Kate.

“Now you girls just sit right still and enjoy yourselves,” she told them, when they insisted on helping.  “You don’t win motor boat races every day, and you’re entitled to a banquet.”