Pair-oared Boat.
"Now!" gasped Marston; and Frank knew that the time for the final spurt had come, and if the stroke had been quick before it was doubly so now. Frank felt that each stroke must be his last, but he struggled on; and just as he felt faint (for his want of training had told) and he lost sight of the other boat in a mist, he heard the sound of a pistol and knew that the winning post was reached.
"Who's won?" he managed to ask.
"We have, by half a length," answered the coxswain.
Mr. Marston's House.
They drew close up to the bank amid the cheers of the people, and they staggered ashore; and Frank went away a little distance and leaned against a tree with his face to the wind, trying to regain his breath again. Who does not know the agony of thus fighting for breath after a severe struggle! Even
the excitement of victory does not atone at the moment for the penalty of over-exertion. Dick and Jimmy fanned him with their hats—or rather Dick used his handkerchief, for his hat had gone to the bottom by this time.