"Age and strength alone won't make the best rowers," replied Dory sagely. "Some of the fellows in the other boat are rather heavy and clumsy, and, without boasting, I believe they have not got the knack of rowing well yet."
"Do you think we have got the knack, Dory?" asked Phil Gawner.
"I think we have got it better than the fellows in the other boat, though we have a good deal to learn yet. You have more spring, elasticity, than the other fellows. But, fellows, we beat them by discipline. You grumble because I don't want you to talk and look behind you; but you obeyed orders, and that's what did the business."
"The first class fellows didn't talk or look behind them," said Life.
"They had no occasion to look behind them, for they could see our boat without," replied the coxswain. "When they saw us gaining on them they were excited, and in a little while they got demoralized. You couldn't see them, and you did your very best."
"Matt Randolph is making a speech at them," said Dick Short, laughing.
"He knows why he was beaten, and he is telling his crew about it," added Dory.
The coxswain of the Gildrock was certainly talking as though he "meant business," for his words and his gestures were very earnest. He and Dory had talked about the subject upon which Matt was at this moment eloquent. Both agreed that if all the oarsmen could be blindfolded they would do better in a race. It was the province of discipline to keep them unmindful of success or defeat.
"Stand by to lay on your oars!" called Dory suddenly, while his crew were still watching the gesticulations of Matt Randolph.