actice every afternoon, feeling sure that Jerry would not take the money
the rich manufacturer had offered.

"You will win," said Harry, confidently. "I shall try my best," returned
Jerry.

Si Peters and his friends smiled broadly whenever they came over to
Lakeview.

"Jerry Upton won't be in it after the first quarter," said they.

The race was to be a mile, half a mile each way, the turning point being a
well-known rocky island scarcely fifty feet in diameter.

Jerry kept at his practice steadily until the great day for the race
arrived.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SINGLE SHELL RACE.

The race had been spoken of so much that Lakeview presented a holiday
appearance.

All those who could, crossed over from Rockpoint, and many came from other
places.

The lake was crowded with craft of all sorts, and even standing room along
the shore was at a premium.

Even Farmer Upton grew interested.

"You must win that race, son," he said. "Not only for your own sake, but
for the sake of the whole Lakeview district."

And this made Jerry more determined to win than ever.

The race was not to come off until three o'clock in the afternoon. In the
meanwhile there were half a dozen other contests, in which, however, the
masses took but small interest.

While one of these contests was going on, and Jerry was in the dressing
room of the boathouse putting on his rowing rig, Harry came in excitedly.
"Jerry, you want to be on your guard," he said in a low tone, so that
those standing about might not hear.

"On guard? How?"

"Against Si Peters."

"I don't understand."

"From what I have overheard, I imagine there is a plot on foot to make you
lose the race."

"What sort of a plot?"

"I can't say."

The young oarsman gazed at his chum in perplexity.

"What have you heard? I don't know what to make of this."

"You know Wash Crosby?"

"Yes. He is Si Peters' toady."

"Well, I heard him tell Browling that it was a dead sure thing Si would
win."

"That might have been mere blowing."

"No. Browling thought so, too, but then Crosby whispered in his ear. At
once Browling's face took on a look of cunning.

"'Can you do it?' he asked, and Crosby said he could.

"Then Browling said he would put out his money on Si, if he could find
anyone to bet. You know the whole crowd is rich."

"Yes, and I know another thing!" exclaimed Jerry suddenly. "I fancy I can
see through their plan." "What?"

"Crosby owns a steam la