" asked Stuffer, after the rowboat

red Jack. "Maybe they wil

, the laugh will be on

rs, Andy," came from Pepper.

hey had gotten away with the baske

k they'd stale our du

chance," answered Jack. "It was lucky fo

a calf

t," said Andy. "How I'd hate to h

xton, and Mumps standing on the sho

said Andy. "I think he'd

Then the craft was turned up the lake, and those who were to go i

oke," said Stuffer. "He

" said another cadet. "They are bang-up oarsmen. They

g to do my best,

am I," a

tired out but thoroughly happy. They cleaned out the boat and put

office." And this was true, and the uniforms of the other elected officers had been treated likewise

pride, and later on, this was done, and each officer sent one

sword in hand, and in his newly decorated uniform. He saw his friends in the ranks and also saw

Putnam after the drill was at an end. "I trust you keep the

t, sir," answered

igor," was George Strong's comme

nd he has military blood in his vei

s, three among the students of Putnam Hall and the fourth race with the students of Pornell Academy, situated a few miles from Putnam Hall. Pornell

aid Pepper. "They are a proud lot, and they t

ves will show what we can

oing to ro

sure

pe you win

lake front was alive with craft of various sorts. The races had been talked of for two weeks and several sloops and a steam launch came up fr

he smaller boys, and much to the surprise of eve

w Mumps could row so

ught up around boats," answered a cadet standing near.

for winning, even if he

Stuffer, Hogan, Blackmore, and a number of others already men

id Pepper. And the always-hungry lad a

d several chums on the other. Baxter had been expected to row in this, but fell out at the last moment, stat

t the discharge of a pistol bo

as the cry. "You c

Pepper,

y stroke t

s, and for the first half of

g to be a

xton! Pul

's boat is g

as a full length in advance. Jack, Pepper, and the others were d

ling behind!" crie

ded Andy. "It was c

Jack, shutting his teeth hard. "Pull, boys

remained, and now Jack's boat wa

oat is but half

re tie

best crew win!" came from a ge

wins," cried a girl in the sa

a," came from

uestioned her fat

y look nicer than the

And then Mr. Ford, for such was the gentl

e said of their opponents. On and on swept the two rowboats toward the finish line. Th

denly wake up. Jack and the others also renewed their exer

they

dy's boat

crawling

by side once more. But Paxton's crew could not keep up the terrific pace, and suddenl

ck Ruddy's

ff race thoug

as, i

ost Paxton fell down in his boa

n?" asked George Strong,

e," gasped Paxton. "It'

's to

if-it-wasn't-for-t

turned the ass

red one of the cadets nearby, and this opinion was

athouse a crowd surrounded them, slappi

s. "But, say, wasn't there something

ope caught fast to the bottom. If it hadn't been

e got there," said Andy. But t

ell Academy. None of our friends took part in this affair, and to witness it to advantage

racing," observed Andy, pointing the craft out. "S

," said Jack. "Let us get a

t be smitten!" c

g red. "I only wanted to see who

he has a fine estate further up the lake. Somebody to

andling a yacht," said the young major

e careful," came from

nsail, hitting each of the girls on the shoulder. Just then the yacht gave a lurch, and with a wild scream