To the experienced eyes of the coxswain of the Winooski it was plain at a glance that the gentlemanly oarsmen had no skill in rowing, and had had no proper instruction in the art. A few days' practice enabled them to pull together; but this was about all that could be said of their operations. As it was understood on board of the Beech Hill barges, there was no such thing as discipline in them. The crew were turning and twisting about on the thwarts, all of them engaged in noisy conversation.
The Chesterfields were staring with all their eyes at the Winooski, and their remarks evidently applied to her. They were out for a good time, and they seemed to be having it. Dory's crew had put themselves on their good behavior, and not one of them looked to the right or the left, much less behind him. They pulled a very easy stroke, and they all worked as though they were parts of the same machine. But those in the other boats did not seem to be at all impressed by the ease and grace of their movements.
The three boats came to the mouth of the cove at the same time. The attention of every student in the Chesterfield boats was directed towards the Winooski. They were giving more thought to the Beech Hill craft than to their own.
"Go it, Tinkers," yelled one of them, as the boats came within hailing distance.
"Put her through, Chip-splitters," shouted another.
"Let her drive, Cog-greasers," yelled a third.
"Shove her along, Shaving-makers," screamed a fourth; and all of them cried as though they meant to be heard.
The blood of the Beech Hillers boiled in their veins; but when they looked at the coxswain, and saw a smile upon his face, they repressed their indignation as well as they could, and tried to be as cool as Dory Dornwood. The two barges came nearer, and the offensive epithets were repeated, with many new ones added. Still Dory Dornwood smiled serenely in the consciousness that he and his companions had not yet become blackguards.
"Stand by to toss!" called the coxswain, while the disagreeable names were still showered upon them.