“And we may have to hit it up to thirty-two or three,” put in Tom.
“Don’t worry about those things now,” advised the Cornell graduate. “They will work themselves out when you get in training. Of course you’re not training now, and that makes a difference. My chief anxiety at present is to get you in the way of taking the proper stroke, to teach you how to sit, how to slide in the moving seats, how to bring your whole weight where it will do the most good, and how to depend on the toe stretchers. Your wind will take care of itself when you get down to hard practice. If it doesn’t—well, you can’t row in an eight, that’s all.”
The old graduate glanced sharply at the lads, and, noting a look of anxiety on their faces, he hastened to add:
“But I’m sure it will come out all right. Don’t think about it. Now then, hit up the stroke a little.”
And so he accompanied them over the course, giving them advice almost invaluable, which they could have obtained in no other way. The boys appreciated it deeply.
Camp and cottage life on Crest Island was endless delight to the boys, even with the hard practice they put in occasionally. I say “occasionally” advisedly, for they did not forget, nor did Mr. Lighton or Mr. Pierson want them to forget, that they were on their vacations. Truth to tell, the girls took much of the time of our heroes. And this was as it should be. We can never be young but once, if I may be pardoned that bit of philosophy in a story book—a bit that is not original by any means.
“Well, thank our lucky stars, we don’t have to grind away in the boat to-day!” exclaimed Sid one morning, as he got up ahead of the others, for it was his turn to prepare breakfast.
“That’s right,” called Tom, in a sleepy voice from his cot, as he turned over luxuriously amid the scanty coverings, for the night had been warm. “I vote we get the launch in running order, if that’s possible, and take the girls off for a picnic.”
“Second the motion,” exclaimed Sid, “with the amendment that the girls provide, and put up, the lunch.”
“We’ll pay for it, if they put it up,” said Frank.