All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake / A Sequel to The Boat Club""

h was felt in the event. Probably the exciting incident at the bridge, which had been published in the newspaper, imparted a greater degree of interest to the race than it would oth

which he had called in order to impart whatever hints he had been

ey were so fortunate as to win the race they were to wear their honors with humility; and most especially, they were not to utter a word which could create a hard feeling in the minds of their com

abo

d talk, no jesting; even Fred Harper looked thoughtful and serious. Each member seemed to

ake, and once more Frank cautioned

ctly accurate, perfectly in time with the others. Now, remember, don't look at the Butterfly; if you do, we shall lose the race. It would distract your attention and a

eplied seve

" asked Charles, who had put the s

rank, with a smile. "Here comes the Butt

rra

wo

rra

hr

rra

returned by the Butterfly, as

three, Frank

red the oars out, and the boats started for the spot

s exhibition day with them, and they were not only to run the race, but to show off their skill to the best advantage. Hundreds of people, their fat

ir light, graceful oars dipping with mechanical precision in the limpid waters. As they glided gently over the rippling waves, like phantoms, to the middle of the lake, a long and deafening shout f

aid Frank, as he

hough this movement had not

flag which floated at the s

. "Let us give th

r," added Tony, "and let them b

d swing them

gor which stout lungs could impart, a

ore, and above the martial strains of

slow and measured stroke, and the band c

of "position," and the Butterfly obtained this advantage. The two boats then to

y. Whatever may be the result of the race, for myself and my cre

added the cl

friendship; there shall be no envy, no

, a

, in token of their approbation of the pledge,

nk. "Keep perfectly cool, and

discharge the cannon which was to be the signal for starting. It was a moment of intense

the boys used to calm their agitation, or at least to conceal it. But it was also true that the Butterflies were much more excited. Discipline and experie

, and the coxswains were leaning back ready to time the movement. Captain Sedley was gazing

, Ben-

ent the

Frank and Tony i

h boats hit the stroke exactly,

d from him, not a muscle yielded in the face of the dispiriting fact, and not a member quickened his stroke in order to retrieve the lost ground. Even Tim Bunker, who was supposed to have more feeling in regar

t he did not quicken the stroke; but no one for an instant lost confidence in him. "Frank knew what he was abou

y muscle was strained to its utmost tension. Every particle of strength was laid out, until Tony, fearful that some of the weaker ones might "ma

ry exertion. Her crew were still fresh and vigorous, while those of her rival, thou

gths ahead. They had begun upon the last two miles of the race. Though the Zephyr still pursued her former tactics, her rival was no longe

y had begun to supplant the look of hope and confidence they had worn, and some of them were provoked to

ow!" said Tim, who could no l

rd!" said the self

speak during the race; and none did, except Tim, and he

ustion of her crew. They had pulled three miles with the expenditure of all their strength. They lacked the power of endurance, which could only be obtained by long practice. "It is the last

the race as though the laurel of victory had already been awarded to them; and though th

h to be heard by all his crew, but so gentle as not to create any of tha

stroke was as quick as was consistent with perfect precision. The result of this greater expenditure of po

Tony, in a whisper. "Dip a

he shore gazed with breathless interest upon the spectacle, u

and steadily and anxiously his cre

pressive tone, as he quickened a

of making that vigorous effort which might

," continued Fra

n to their utmost speed and strength, and the Zephyr shot by t

g!" said he.

nstant behind, and her oars were po

when the result of the race was apparent, and t