members of the Goldwing Club. But the captain was too near to permit any thing like an outbreak.
But the boys were greatly interested in all aquatic sports, and in an hour’s time they could pull a very fair stroke. They learned all the man-of-war boat terms, and could “toss” and “let fall” with tolerable precision.
“Pull to the end of the point,” shouted Captain Gildrock, as his boat led off in that direction.
The other boats followed him. As they approached the shore, the coxswains discovered that there were several persons there; though it was generally an unfrequented spot, without a house within a mile of the point. The rowers, being back to the shore, could see nothing. The coxswains wondered what the sensation was to be, for they were satisfied that there was “something in the wind.”
Even when the boats touched the beach they could see nothing, for the point was covered with trees. Captain Gildrock landed first, and the coxswains had hard work to prevent their crews from following him pell-mell. But the discipline was preserved without breaking any thing, till orders came for all to go on shore. The boats were all
hauled up so that they should not get adrift, and the several crews followed the captain up the hill.
“Hurrah!” yelled those who got to the road first.
Doubtless this yell gave expression to their astonishment as well as their enthusiasm. In the road, which leads down to the end of the point, they found two long vehicles, the pairs of wheels on which were twenty feet apart.
Standing by the side of them were two men, who were the teamsters, and two boys of seventeen, very genteelly dressed. On each vehicle was a boat, each of which was hardly less than fifty feet long. They were both broad for rowboats, and were finished in the most elegant style. The students were delighted, and could hardly find words to express their enthusiasm.
“Six oars on a side! Twelve oars in one boat! Who ever heard of such a thing?” exclaimed Will Orwell.