“Row! I should say so!” cried the red-haired lad. “Who’s been breakin’ up th’ furniture?” and he dropped into his broadest brogue.
“Tom here,” laughed Frank. “He isn’t satisfied with the way the eight rowed to-day.”
“Faith! an’ I guess none of us are,” replied Bricktop. And then the five students fell to discussing the matter from all viewpoints. Presently Holly Cross dropped in, and then Kindlings, so with nearly the whole varsity crew present the room was well filled.
There were opinions pro and con, there were periods of doubt, to be succeeded by others of some hope. And the result of it all was that they decided they had underestimated Boxer Hall’s prowess, and would have to “perk-up” and do more and harder practice in the time that was left.
Communicating this decision to Mr. Lighton the next morning, the lads found that he agreed with them.
“Mr. Pierson and I have talked it over,” he said, “and we have come to the conclusion that to make a shift in the varsity eight now would be fatal. We must stand or fall by what we have. It is too late now. And, mind you, I am not so sure that even if there was more time that I would make a shift. I’m certain, in my own mind, that we have a championship boat. Now it’s up to you lads to confirm my belief in you.”
“And we will!” cried Tom, a sentiment that was echoed by his chums.
Then began at Randall a period of hard and exacting practice, such as had never been known before. The two coaches were fairly overworked, for by this time the first of the football squads was beginning to form. Many of the rowing lads were to play on the gridiron, but they were cautioned only to do light practice until after the regatta, as it would not do to have them overtrained.
The weather was exceptionally warm that September, just right for rowing and a little too close for heavy football work, so in one way Randall had an advantage as regards her crews. It was an advantage, though, shared by her rivals, for both Boxer Hall and Fairview had made up their separate minds to be champion of the river.