CHAPTER III. DORY DORNWOOD ARGUES THE QUESTION.
"How did we do it, Dory?" asked Life Windham, utterly astonished at the result of the impromptu race, as were all the other members of the crew.
"We did it by minding our own business," replied the coxswain, as much pleased as though he had won a rich prize.
"Can't we give them three cheers, Dory?" inquired Ben Ludlow.
"No cheers, fellows," replied Dory, shaking his head to emphasize his decision.
"But the Gildrocks cheered when they got ahead of us," suggested Ben Ludlow.
"No matter if they did; it was bad taste, and they crowed before they were out of the woods."
"But I don't understand how it was that we happened to beat them," persisted Life Windham. "As you said, they have most of the older and stouter fellows in their crew."
"They ought to beat us every time," added Ned Bellows.