“Oh, sure, I’ll be careful!” promised Dutch, making a playful grab for Sid, who jumped back, thereby nearly upsetting an elderly gentleman who was sitting near the edge of the balcony to see the sports.
“Careful! Careful!” he exclaimed testily.
“Look out what you’re doing, Dutch!” warned Tom. “He’s one of the committee that gave us this rowing outfit. He’ll get you down on his bad books if you don’t look out.”
“Just my luck!” cried Dutch, ruefully.
“Tub racers this way!” cried the starter. “Lively now!”
With but a single paddle to propel them on, the six lads, amid much laughter, took their places in the tubs. They were to paddle to a stake boat, about half way across the river, turn there, and come back.
Anyone who has seen a tub race knows how almost impossible it is to prevent the craft from whirling about. It doesn’t seem to want to advance in a straight line. This was the case here, and when the lads started off it was only to go swirling madly about in concentric circles.
“Go the other way!” was shouted at them.
“Yes, reverse—you’ll get dizzy!”
“Waltz me around again, Dutchy!” called Tom to Housenlager.