d, which had volunteered for the
occasion, struck up Hail Columbia.

"Cease--rowing!" said Frank, as he rose in his seat.

Tony followed his example, though this movement had not been laid down
in the program.

Frank then took the American flag which floated at the stern, and Tony
did the same.

"All up!" said he. "Let us give them three cheers."

"Mind the coxswain of the Zephyr," added Tony, "and let them be all
together and with a will."

"Hats off, and swing them as you cheer."

The cheers were given with all the vigor which stout lungs could impart,
and the flags waved and the hats swung.

The salute was reiterated from the shore, and above the martial strains
of the band rose the deafening hurrahs.

"Ready--pull!" and the boats resumed their slow and measured stroke, and
the band changed the tune to the Canadian Boat Song.

When they reached the judges' boat, the two coxswains drew lots for the
choice of "position," and the Butterfly obtained this advantage. The two
boats then took their places, side by side, about two rods apart, ready
to commence the race.

"Tony," said Frank, rising, "before we start I have a word to say.
Whatever may be the result of the race, for myself and my crew, I pledge
you there shall be no hard feeling among the Zephyrs."

"No, no, no!" added the club, earnestly.

"If you beat, it shall not impair our friendship; there shall be no
envy, no ill-will. Do you all say so, Zephyrs?"

"Ay, ay!"

The Butterflies clapped their hands vigorously, in token of their
approbation of the pledge, and Tony promised the same thing for his
club.

"Now we are ready," added Frank. "Keep perfectly cool, and mind all I
have said. Ready!"

Uncle Ben stood in the bow of the Sylph, with a burning slow match in
his hand, ready to discharge the cannon which was to be the signal for
starting. It was a moment of intense excitement, not only to the crews
of the boats, but to hundreds of spectators on the shore.

It was undeniably true that the Zephyrs, in spite of the warnings which
Frank had given them, were very much excited, and various were the
expedients which the boys used to calm their agitation, or at least to
conceal it. But it was also true that the Butterflies were much more
excited. Discipline and experience had not schooled them in the art of
"being mere machines," and they found it much more difficult than the
Zephyrs to subdue their troublesome emotions.

The eventful moment