at Vane, who winced as if
it had been a physical stab, and he did not feel the happier for knowing
that the cheers were for nothing, since he did not want Macey's words to
tell him that his machine was a failure from the amount of labour
required.

"Why, I could have taken the boat there and back home myself with a pair
of sculls, and nearly as fast again," whispered the boy.

It was quite correct, and Vane felt anything but happy, as he stepped on
to the top of the camp-shed, where the others were.

"Can't wark it by mysen," said the miller. "Won't join me, I suppose,
doctor?"

"Any one else, not you," said the doctor, merrily.

"Come," said the rector, "another trial. Gilmore, Distin, you have a
turn."

"All right, sir," cried Gilmore, getting into the boat; "come on, Dis."

"Oh, I don't know," said the young creole.

"He's afraid," said Macey, mischievously, and just loud enough for
Distin to hear.

The latter darted a furious look at him, and then turned to Gilmore.

"Oh, very well," he said in a careless drawl. "I don't mind having a
try."

"It'll take some of the fat conceit out of him, Weathercock," said
Macey, wiping his streaming brow. "Oh, I say, I am hot."

Gilmore had taken off his jacket and vest before getting into the boat.
Distin kept his on, and stepped down, while Vane held the boat's side
from where he kneeled on the well-worn planks.

"Take off your things, man," said Gilmore, as Distin sat down.

"Work the levers steadily, Gil," said Vane.

"All right, old fellow."

"I dare say we can manage; thank you," said Distin, in a low, sarcastic
tone, meant for Vane's ears alone, for, saving the miller, the others
were chatting merrily about the success of the trial. "It does not seem
to be such a wonderfully difficult piece of performance."

"It isn't," said Vane, frankly. "Only trim the boat well she's
top-heavy."

"Thank you once more," said Distin, as he took off jacket and vest, and
began to fold them.

"I'll give her head a push off," said Vane, taking up the boat-hook and
beginning to thrust the boat's head out so that the fresh engineers
could start together.

"Thank you again," said Distin, sarcastically, as the bows went round,
and Vane after sending the prow as far as he could, ran and caught the
stern, and drew that gently round till the boat was straight for the
river and gliding forward.

"Ready, Dis?" said Gil, who had hold of his lever, and foot on the
trea