“Well, he’s all right,” answered Andy.
Every afternoon after the school session was over those who were to participate in the various races went down to the river to practice. Gif and his assistants were here, there, and everywhere directing the work. And even old Si Crews, the gymnastic instructor, did what he could to aid the cadets.
“If only it doesn’t rain on Saturday!” said Jack.
He had heard through Martha that the girls at Clearwater Hall were to come down to Haven Point and occupy a dock which had been hired for the occasion. This dock and a number of others were to be gayly decorated with bunting supplied by Colonel Colby. To make the occasion more festive the colonel and the owners of Longley Academy had hired a local brass band.
At last the all-important day arrived, and although it was rather cloudy early in the morning by eleven o’clock the sun came out brightly, much to everybody’s satisfaction.
The races were to start at two o’clock, and shortly after one the visitors from all directions began to come in; those from across the lake in various kinds of boats and others by carriage and automobile. Soon the docks at Haven Point were crowded and a row of men, women and young people lined the lake for a mile or more.
The Colby cadets had a dock to themselves directly next to that occupied by the girls from Clearwater Hall. The boys were in fine fettle, and no sooner had they assembled than they boomed out with their well-known refrain:
“Who are we?
Can’t you see?