The Midnight Race had been intensely interesting, but the Obstacle Race proved an even greater excitement.  Two thin planks of wood were placed across the bath, floating upon the water.  The competitors started from the deep end, dived under the first plank, and then scrambled over the second.  At the shallow end were a number of large round wash-tubs; each candidate had to seize upon one of these and seat herself in it, a most difficult feat of fine balancing, for unless she hit upon the exact center of gravity, the tub promptly overturned, and flung her into the water.  It was a most mirth-provoking competition, candidates and spectators bursting into shouts of laughter as one after another the girls gingerly climbed into their tubs, and toppled over into the bath.  Those who managed at last to preserve their equilibrium were given paddles, and had to navigate themselves to the nearest plank, where they invariably fell out, and were rescued and towed back by attendant nymphs told off for the purpose.  Nobody succeeded in paddling to the plank and back again, and the competition resolved itself into a series of splashes, squeals and bursts of mirth.  Even stately Miss Bishop was laughing heartily, and the girls in the gallery were in a state bordering on hysteria.

At last Miss Gatehead called order, and the dripping candidates retired from their water carnival to await the judging.  The scores were rapidly added up, and the result was announced.

“Winona Woodward and Elsie Parton equal.  They will therefore swim the length of the bath to decide the championship.”

Planks and tubs were hastily cleared away from the field of action, and the rival candidates started on their final contest.  The sympathies of the gallery went strongly with Winona; the girls wanted their Games Captain to win, and they cheered her vigorously.  But Winona was tired, Elsie Parton was lithe and active, and had made fast swimming her specialty.  Winona did her sporting best, but by the middle of the bath Elsie had distanced her, and reached the winning post a whole length ahead.

There was dead silence from the girls in the gallery.  Their Captain had failed, and they did not mean to applaud her opponent.  Winona, looking upwards, saw the popular feeling in their faces.  All her generous spirit rose in revolt.  She was standing close to Miss Bishop, Miss Gatehead and Miss Medland, and therefore it was certainly a breach of school etiquette for her to do what she did, but acting on the impulse of the moment she shouted:  “Cheer, you slackers!  Three cheers for Elsie Parton!” and waving her hand as a signal, led off the “Hip-hip-hip hurrah!” A very volume of sound followed, and the roof rang as Miss Bishop presented the winner with the cup for the Championship.

“Thanks awfully, Winona!” said Elsie, as the girls walked away to the dressing-rooms.  “I’m afraid I’ve disappointed the school—­but I did want to win!”