Then he went to the wall and took down from some brackets an ax, with which he approached the boat. There was a glare in his eyes, and his pale face was contorted with rage.
“Now! he cried, I’ll do the job!”
He raised the ax.
“Stop!”
Out leaped Spencer and Diamond, and the ax was torn from Addison’s hand before he could carry out his dastardly design.
CHAPTER XVIII—THE RACE
The race was on at last. At the crack of the pistol, the three boats had jumped away, Alexandria taking a lead of half a length by a quick start. The course was straightaway down the river, but against the tide.
A large crowd had assembled near the start and the finish to watch the race. Those at the starting point cheered wildly as the boats shot away.
Alexandria rowed with short, snappy strokes that made the boat jump, jump, jump all the time. The strokes of the Blue Cove crew and the Yale Combine were much alike.
Toots was coxswain in the Yale boat, and proud indeed he was of the position. His black face shone with delight.