a better oar, now that
this load is off your mind."

"Why, Fred, believe me," said Bristles, soberly, "I feel right now as
though I'd be able to put more vim into my work than ever before in all
my life. Wow! if I had wings I could hardly seem more like flying, my
heart is that light!"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE START OF THE RACE

The great day of the boat race between Riverport and Mechanicsburg
opened with a clear sky. This made happy the hearts of the hundreds of
young people belonging to the two towns on the Mohunk River.

Daily the husky crew of the town up the river had been busily engaged
in practicing; and all sorts of ominous rumors were current among the
more timid Riverport boys and girls as to the astonishing speed they
had shown.

But when those who had faith in the ability of their own crew to come
in ahead heard these tales, they only laughed, and nodded, as though
they felt no fear. As to the ability of their rivals to "make circles"
around the boys of Riverport, did they not realize that these stories
were being industriously circulated for the very purpose of making them
count the race lost even before it was started?

The clever coach, Corney Shays' father, warned them against believing
anything of this sort. He said it was an old trick, and had been used
by college men as far back as he could remember.

"Just believe you can do the job up clean, and pay attention to
everything your coxswain tells you; and it'll come out right," he
declared.

Early in the afternoon crowds began to assemble along the banks of the
river, where the course had been marked off. Those in charge, being a
committee of older pupils from each school, had taken all necessary
precautions looking to having a clear course. They had also marked the
turning point, where the rival boats must start on the return trip
toward the home goal.

This latter was a boat anchored in the middle of the river, and bearing
a large red flag, with the words "Stake Boat" in white. Each contestant
had to turn this, without fouling, in heading for home; and the one
capable of accomplishing this with as little waste of time and distance
as possible would gain an advantage that might count heavily in the
final result.

It was indeed a gay scene about half-past three that afternoon; the
time of the race being scheduled for four exactly. Thousands of people
lined both banks of the river, for the entire country had become deeply
interested