“All right; call it off,” responded Harry Parker. “It was a tie.”
As he finished, both shells drew up, one on either side of Blumpo Brown. Each of the rowers offered the struggling youth a helping hand.
Blumpo was soon clinging to Jerry’s shell. He was dripping from head to foot, and not being at all a handsomely-formed or good-looking youth, he presented a most comical appearance.
“It’s too bad I spoiled the race,” mumbled Blumpo. “But that’s just me—always putting my foot into it.”
“I guess you put more than your foot into it this time,” was Harry’s good-natured comment, as he ran close up alongside.
“Where shall I land you, Blumpo?” questioned Jerry Upton.
“Anywhere but near the boathouse,” returned Blumpo, with a shiver that was not brought on entirely by his involuntary bath. “If you land me there the fellows won’t give me a chance to get out of sight.”
“I’ll take you up the lake shore if you wish,” said Jerry. “I intended to go up anyway in a row-boat.”
“All right, Jerry, do that and I’ll be much obliged to you,” returned Blumpo Brown.
“You are going along, aren’t you, Harry?” continued Jerry, turning to his late rival.