"There they are, both of the boats, and side by side!" cried Minnie; "didn't I tell you Frank would do it, Helen? There goes the flag, and, yes, it is blue again. Does that mean Clifford, Ralph West?"
"Yes, Clifford is apparently slightly in the lead on the home stretch; but just see how they are coming, will you? Did you ever see boats skim the water like that. Look! look! one of them is drawing ahead by bounds. Even here it is plainly noticeable! And that boat is going to win, I fairly believe!" said Ralph, hoarsely.
"Oh! which one can it be, which can it be?" cried the almost-distracted Helen.
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
"Look at Columbia walk away from them, would you!"
"Hit her up, Frank; you know how to do it, old fellow!"
"Oh! you darling Frank!" gasped Helen, holding on to Minnie as she stared at the lively picture presented in this race of the two rival boats.
Again Bedlam seemed to have broken loose around them. Once more men shrieked, women cried, boys howled, and all sorts of weird noises were made with horns and strident whistles.
The two shells came flying down the river as though really things of life. Incredible was the speed shown by both contestants, which spoke well for the manner of their training. Not a single gap appeared in the ranks. Every fellow was pumping away like a part of well managed machines, while the two young coxswains manipulated their crews with wonderful tact.