“Three cheers for Jack Ranger!”
These, and other cries of victory, greeted our hero’s ears as he allowed his oars to rest on the water flat, while he recovered his wind after the heart-breaking finish.
“Well, Dock could beat him if he was in training,” said Pud doggedly.
“That’s what he could,” echoed Glen.
“Not in a thousand years!” was Nat’s positive assertion.
The boys crowded to the float that marked the finish of the course. Jack reached it first, and stepped out of his shell, being greeted by his friends. Then Dock rowed slowly up. His distress showed plainly in his puffy, white face.
He got out clumsily, and staggered as he clambered upon the float.
“Hard luck, old man,” said Jack good-humoredly.
“I don’t want your sympathy!” snapped Dock. “I’ll row you again, and I’ll beat you!”