The race is near the end. There can be no hope for the unfortunate freshmen, who now have no coxswain, save a senseless man.
The great crowd of spectators thrill with wildest excitement. The new stroke has given that crew such life as they had not exhibited before at any stage of the race. They forge ahead, recovering the lost distance with remarkable speed.
In a moment they will be neck and neck again. Is it possible that the race will be a draw?
Now they are together, and the spectators are cheering wildly, while hats, handkerchiefs, and flags wave everywhere.
And then, despite everything the sophomores can do, the boat of the freshmen forges slowly into the lead.
Over the line they go, with the nose of the freshman boat one foot in advance, and the race is won—the most remarkable race ever witnessed on Lake Whitney.
There were ugly rumors about that stone. Of course, somebody threw it, and, of course, the object had been to knock out Starbright and give the race to the sophomores. But for the remarkable work of the coxswain, this dastardly trick would have resulted in the defeat of the freshmen.
The name of the coxswain was on every lip. Earl Knight had become famous for his wonderful action. He had saved the race—a fact which no man disputed.
Of course, Merriwell’s friends were well satisfied with the termination of this exciting contest, while his enemies were equally depressed.
But his friends were vowing they would find out who had thrown that stone.