uld get. Every time we got into the
boat we liked her better and better: she rowed so easily, and sat like a
duck in the water. Sandy got so he didn't dip too deep nor jerk, as he
did first. We found out that Sam and Nate were training. They ate rare
beef and ran two miles a day. Sandy wanted to train too, but I told him
I couldn't, as I only liked the outside of beef, and my only shoes hurt
my feet.

"Let them try one way, and we another; the 18th will prove which is
best." Sandy and I were getting ready to anchor the _Pumpkin Seed_ up
the river for the turning stake on the day of the race, when Polly and
his ant-eater came down the hill.

"Any more money, Polly?"

"Yes; great luck. Mick and Bridget each gave ten, and Mick's boy gave
twenty-five for a chance to sell corn balls."

"Didn't you see the Sunday-school?"

"I forgot all about it until after they had put their money into the
contribution box; but they all said they were coming, sure pop."

We anchored the _Pumpkin Seed_ up the river just a quarter of a mile
from the boat-house; that made the distance to be pulled half a mile.
Sam sent to Boston for shirts and crimson handkerchiefs for his crew.
They both looked splendidly, but Sam's broad back and long stroke rather
scared us. Mrs. May fixed us shirts, but they wrinkled round the neck.
Then we had two yellow handkerchiefs that Mr. May used to use. The day
before the race the small boys made a _grand stand_ at the Oxbow for the
spectators. It looked strong, but Mr. May said it wasn't, so Mick had to
do it over.

Polly told me the night before that he had kept the time of the two
boats for a week, and ours had been the best every time. That would have
been grand, if I only could have trusted Polly's watch. But it was a bad
one, and he used to set it three times a day.

I walked to the village, and brought back the blue and yellow flag, with
the letters Y. B. C. on it, which was to be the prize. The grand stand
was to be saved for adults and girls, and Mick was to be in the _Pumpkin
Seed_ at the turn. He knows a good deal about races, as his brother owns
a trotter. Mr. May was to keep the time, as he had some kind of a
thermometer watch. Such a dinner as Mrs. May gave us! I had Sam's and
Nate's pieces of lemon pie, as they couldn't eat anything but meat. Mr.
May looked over his spectacles, and asked if I was the boy who was to
row a race that afternoon.

At one o'clock boys began coming, and took seats