THE TUB RACE
Randall's adherents seemed stunned at first. They had been so sure of
winning when the two fours swept up to the finish line, with Randall so
close to Boxer, that, when victory was snatched from their very grasp,
it seemed hard indeed. No one knew what to do, while the victors rested
on their oars, justifiable smiles of triumph on their faces.
As for the losers, they hung their heads dejectedly, and that tears of
mortification came into their eyes is not to their shame.
Then Tom Parsons found himself, and cried out:
"Three cheers for Boxer Hall! It was a good win!"
"That's right," echoed Sid Henderson.
And the cheers were given, none the less hearty because they came from
the defeated side.
"Clear the course!" came the command from the judges' boat, and then
came the formal announcement of Boxer winning. She had five points to
her credit now.
The Fairview lads, in the bitterness of their hearts, for they realized
that it was overtraining, and, in a way, over-confidence that had made
them third, rowed up to the float, disembarked and walked away in
silence--at least there was silence until Bean Perkins yelled:
"Three cheers for Fairview--she knows how to take a licking the same as
Randall!"
And at once the river echoed the cheers.
"Well, you did us that time, Boxer!" went on Bean. "But our time will
come--we're going to do you in the eight."
"Not if we know it," retorted Pinky Davenport.
"Oh, I'm so sorry--for you, Tom," breathed Ruth, as the tall pitcher
stood close beside her on the balcony of the boathouse. "Does it bother
you much?"
"Well, of course I'd like to have seen our four win," he replied, "but
it doesn't bother me. It only makes me mad. We'll win that eight if we
have to break every oar."
"Don't do that, Tom, old man," advised Frank, who heard this last.
"Breaking an oar is worse than catching a crab. It will lose us the race
sure. Be moderate."
"It's hard, after all the work we did," complained Sid.
"But look at it," put in Phil. "We beat Fairview, and that's something
for a green crew to do."
"So we did!" exclaimed Sid, brightening up.
"Awfully sweet of you to remind us of it," said Madge, making a little
bow.
"Oh--er--I didn't mean it that way," stammered Sid. "I didn't think."
"We'll forgive you," spoke Mabel, gently.
The single races were to have come next, but at the last moment it was
discovered that one of the outriggers on the shell to be used by the
Boxer Hall contestant was split, so a halt was called until he could get
out one of the spare Randall boats. Then he was allowed a half hour to
"get acquainted with his craft," this being generously allowed by the
other two colleges.
"The tub race! Have the tub race now!" came the general cry, and as none
of the other competitors wished to fill in the vacant time, and as the
tub race would not count in points, it was decided to advance that on
the program.
Accordingly, a number of washtubs, of good size, which had been
provided, were brought forward. There were to be two contestants from
each college, making six that would compete for first and second prizes,
in the shape of silver cups.
Snail Looper and Dutch Housenlager were to represent Randall, Dutch
being the only regular rower who dared to brave the laughter of the
crowd.
"Why shouldn't I?" he demanded, when questioned. "It'll be fun, and it
will keep me from thinking of the big race. Besides, I think it will be
good exercise, and I'm heavy enough to weight my tub down in the water,
and that's a point. It won't turn so easily."
"Well, don't strain yourself, that's all," counseled Mr. Lighton. "We
don't want any slip-up in the eight-oared race just because you want
some fun."
"Oh, sure, I'll be careful!" promised Dutch, making a playful grab for
Sid, who jumped back, thereby nearly upsetting an elderly gentleman who
was sitting near the edge of the balcony to see the sports.
"Careful! Careful!" he exclaimed testily.
"Look out what you're doing, Dutch!" warned Tom. "He's one of the
committee that gave us this rowing outfit. He'll get you down on his bad
books if you don't look out."
"Just my luck!" cried Dutch, ruefully.
"Tub racers this way!" cried the starter. "Lively now!"
With but a single paddle to propel them on, the six lads, amid much
laughter, took their places in the tubs. They were to paddle to a stake
boat, about half way across the river, turn there, and come back.
Anyone who has seen a tub race knows how almost impossible it is to
prevent the craft from whirling about. It doesn't seem to want to
advance in a straight line. This was the case here, and when the lads
started off it was only to go swirling madly about in concentric circles.
"Go the other way!" was shouted at them.
"Yes, reverse--you'll get dizzy!"
"Waltz me around again, Dutchy!" called Tom to Housenlager.
"You watch!" he shouted back. "I'm going to win!"
And it did seem as though he had a good chance. Whether it was his
weight, or the way in which he used the paddle, was not manifested, but
he certainly forged ahead.
He managed to turn the stake-boat first, though Snail Looper was a close
second. Boxer Hall was out of it in this race, her two representatives
seemingly not able to do much. But the two Fairview lads were pressing
Dutch and Snail closely.
"Here I come! Here I come!" cried Dutch, as, amid increased laughter,
the four lads neared the finishing line close to the float. But he did
not see how near one of the Fairview lads was to him.
Then one of the latter tubs collided with that of Dutch. He uttered a
surprised exclamation, turned to look, and his paddle slipped from his
grasp.
[Illustration: THEN ONE OF THE LATTER TUBS COLLIDED WITH THAT OF DUTCH.]
"Come back here!" yelled he, making a grab for it.
Alas for Dutch! He over-balanced himself, or perhaps he was dizzy from
the whirling. At any rate overboard he went with a splash.
"There! I knew something would happen!" cried Mr. Lighton, in vexed
tones, as he saw the accident, and he hurried down to see that Dutch
quickly changed to dry rowing togs, for the tub racers had worn their
light garments.
Meanwhile Snail Looper came steadily on, finishing first, with a
Fairview lad second.
"First win for Randall!" yelled a Boxer Hall adherent. "You fellows had
better stick to tubs!"
"Wait!" murmured Tom. "This may put Dutch in just the right trim to pull
the race of his life."