erry eyes
when she said this, and it was hard for him to refrain from declaring
that she ought to know that Buck's hatred for him began when she
started to bestow her favors on the new boy in Riverport. However, Fred
held himself in, and only remarked:

"It has happened that lots of times Buck and myself have been up
against each other in what should have been friendly rivalry. Because
fortune was generally kind to me, and allowed me to carry off
undeserved honors, he has made up his mind that I'm always trying to do
him out of everything he wants to win. And he never loses a chance to
let me know what he thinks of me."

"You haven't been the one to suffer _very_ much, up to now, Fred, if
half that I hear is true," Flo went on to say, with a pride in her
voice that somehow thrilled the boy, and made him very happy.

"Oh! I've had lots of good luck, I must say. But there's Brad
beckoning, and I'll have to be going, Flo. Will you be here when we get
back?"

"Perhaps," she answered. "I've an invitation to go in Judge Colon's new
auto, to watch the practice from the shore down below. If you happen to
see us waving, why please do your best to give us confidence. They say
those big Mechanicsburg boys are fearfully strong, and can pull a
professional stroke. And they have a coach, too, you know, Fred."

"We're going to have one too after to-day, for Corney's father used to
be on a big college crew, and has consented to train us."

With this Fred had to hurry off, but he turned and waved his hand to
_somebody_ in the crowd just as he took his place, a few minutes later,
in the eight-oared shell; nor did any one seem to doubt for whom the
good-bye signal was intended; at any rate there was an unusual flutter
to Flo Temple's purple and gold flag just about that time.

The crew quickly fell into the swing, and the boat fairly flew
down-stream under their vigorous strokes. Brad, however, was keeping
them down. He did not want to let everybody know just what Riverport
could do. Doubtless more than a few of Mechanicsburg's admirers would
be ready to take every opportunity possible to time the rival crew, so
as to get a pointer with regard to their capacity. That could not be
helped; but Brad was determined to be as cautious as possible.

Soon they were down to the broad stretch, where the little fluttering
rags of various hues close to the edge of the water told the parts of
the mile.

Here the coxswain thought it good pol