“Yes, and I know another thing!” exclaimed Jerry suddenly. “I fancy I can see through their plan.”
“What is to prevent him from running the launch so that I shall get all the swash? It would make me lose a quarter minute or more, and perhaps upset me.”
“Jiminey crickets! I believe you are right!” whispered Harry.
“They did. Browling said he would go and take a look at her.”
“Then that is what the plot is, you may be sure of it. You ought to be able to stop them, Harry. You are going to be on your uncle’s naptha launch.”
“I will! If they get too close to you I’ll boathook them and pull them off!” cried Harry.
“But beware, Jerry, the plot may not be that after all.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open,” replied the young oarsman.
Then Jerry, having donned his rowing outfit, was surrounded by the other members of the club. His shell was inspected and found in perfect condition. It had been guarded carefully, and now the club members did not dare to let their eyes off of it.
“Bring me my blades, please,” said Jerry, and they were at once brought from the locker.
He began to examine them from end to end. Suddenly he uttered a cry.
“This one has been strained and cracked. An extra hard pull on it, and it would give out.”
How the blade had got into that condition was a mystery.
But now was no time to speculate on the affair. A new set of blades must be procured at once.
Luckily there was a pair belonging to a private party to be had. They were just the same size and weight.
“I would rather have my own, but I’ll make these do, and beat them in spite of all,” said Jerry.
At a given signal six of the boat club boys marched down the float carrying Jerry’s shell, which had been polished and oiled until it shone like a mirror.
With a faint splash the shell dropped into the water. Then Jerry ran down and stepped in. His feet were “locked,” and the oars were handed over.
And so the talking and the shouting ran on.
Meanwhile Si Peters had emerged from the landing at a private boathouse some distance up the lake shore.
He received a hearty shout as he moved slowly over to the starting point.
Si Peters won the choice of positions, and, of course, took the inside.
The race should have been a mile straightway, but the original challenge which led to the race had been for a half mile going and the same coming.