But they gained.  As they swung round turn after turn, they crept nearer and nearer to the dinghy.  Surely they must win!  And yet, ’Possum was afraid—looking at her, with senses sharpened by terror, the mother saw the fear in her eyes. She met Aileen’s glance with a forced smile, but it could not hide her fear.  Her arms never ceased their rapid, mechanical strokes—under the thin blouse her muscles rose and fell as she opened her shoulders with long, powerful swings.