to take
long leaps from a fact to a possible sequel or consequence. So it had
come about that a contest between the two boat-crews was looked forward
to with an interest almost equal to that with which the combat between
the Horatii and Curiatii was regarded.

The terms had been at last arranged between the two crews, after cautious
protocols and many diplomatic discussions. It was so novel in its
character that it naturally took a good deal of time to adjust it in such
a way as to be fair to both parties. The course must not be too long for
the lighter and weaker crew, for the staying power of the young persons
who made it up could not be safely reckoned upon. A certain advantage
must be allowed them at the start, and this was a delicate matter to
settle. The weather was another important consideration. June would be
early enough, in all probability, and if the lake should be tolerably
smooth the grand affair might come off some time in that month. Any
roughness of the water would be unfavorable to the weaker crew. The
rowing-course was on the eastern side of the lake, the starting-point
being opposite the Anchor Tavern; from that three quarters of a mile to
the south, where the turning-stake was fixed, so that the whole course of
one mile and a half would bring the boats back to their starting-point.

The race was to be between the Algonquin, eight-oared boat with
outriggers, rowed by young men, students of Stoughton University, and the
Atalanta, also eight-oared and outrigger boat, by young ladies from the
Corinna Institute. Their boat was three inches wider than the other, for
various sufficient reasons, one of which was to make it a little less
likely to go over and throw its crew into the water, which was a sound
precaution, though all the girls could swim, and one at least, the bow
oar, was a famous swimmer, who had pulled a drowning man out of the water
after a hard struggle to keep him from carrying her down with him.

Though the coming trial had not been advertised in the papers, so as to
draw together a rabble of betting men and ill-conditioned lookers-on,
there was a considerable gathering, made up chiefly of the villagers and
the students of the two institutions. Among them were a few who were
disposed to add to their interest in the trial by small wagers. The bets
were rather in favor of the "Quins," as the University boat was commonly
called, except where the natural sympathy of the young ladies or the