As they pulled to the stake boat, Richard cautioned his crew not to "crow" over the fellows in the other boat, for it was a friendly contest, and he did not wish to see any ill feeling on either side. The Alice was already alongside the sail boat. Nevers was in no enviable frame of mind; he looked dark and sour, and Richard only bestowed one glance upon him, lest his looks should be misconstrued.
"Grant, you have won the race," said Colonel Brockridge, as the Emma came up. "I had no idea of such a result."
"Three cheers for Grant!" shouted an enthusiastic boy in the sail boat.
"No," added the principal, as he glanced at the crest-fallen coxswain of the Alice, and saw that he was taking his defeat very hardly. "You have cheered enough. We don't want any unkind feelings to grow out of this affair. Nevers, you have been beaten, but——"
"I shouldn't have been, if I had had fair play," growled Nevers, whose anger was manifest in his tones.
"Has there been any foul play?" demanded the colonel.
"Yes, sir, there has," replied Nevers, sharply.
"What was it?"
"The fellows in the Emma took her out of the water, cleaned her, and covered her bottom with black lead."
"I don't see any unfair play in that. You had the right to use your time for preparation as you wished," said the principal.