[CHAPTER XXXIII]
MENDEZ EXPLAINS
“Come on, Boswell!”
“Row hard!”
“You’ve got to row!”
“It’s your last chance!”
Thus his mates encouraged the Randall lad in the single shell, as the three craft swept on up to the finish line in front of the new boathouse. But it was not to be. Boswell pulled with all his strength. Never had there been seen a better exhibition on Sunny River, but it was too late. His little hesitation when he had called to Mendez—the excited state of his mind, in wondering at Tom’s accusation—all contributed to his defeat. The slight delay was fatal.
“Oh, row! Row!” implored Bean Perkins. “Give him a song, fellows!” and that grand Latin chorus of the ancients pealed out.
But it was not to be. Fairview was leading, with Boxer second and poor Boswell third. And in this order they finished, giving Fairview her first win of the day, and Boxer her first defeat. As for Randall, once more she tasted bitterness.
“Three cheers for Boswell!” called someone, and, though he was no favorite, no one could withhold from the measure of praise due him for his plucky effort. Few knew what had contributed to his defeat. Even his rivals, hearing him call to the man on the bank, only thought him shouting to some friend, and thought how foolish he was thus to waste his precious time and energy. But it was none of their business, and so they rowed on to defeat him.