Among the favorite recreations of the cadets of the Tunbrook Military Institute was that of boating. The beautiful lake afforded them abundant space for sailing and rowing, and quite a number of them were proficient oarsmen and excellent navigators.
On the Saturday afternoon following the return from the camp, Colonel Brockridge proposed to exercise the boys in the boats. This announcement was received with hearty applause by the cadets, and they gathered round the principal to learn the order of exercises upon the lake.
"Well, boys, suppose we appoint a couple of coxswains and have a race."
"Hurrah!" shouted the boys. "A race! A race!"
"You like the plan, I see. Who shall be your leaders?" added the colonel.
The boys made no reply, but looked curiously at each other, as though they were not competent, to settle the question.
"Nevers for one," said Redman.
"Very well; Nevers, we all know, is a good boatman, and has always won the races. Who shall be the other?"
No reply was made, and the principal waited some time for a suggestion.
"Grant has had considerable experience with boats, his father informed me," continued Colonel Brockridge.