The coxswain shook up his frame and muscles all he could, and he soon ceased to shiver. A couple of minutes were enough to send a glow through the veins of the rowers, and they were soon as warm as though they had been clothed in their overcoats.
The Dasher and the Racer continued to flaunt their banners in the air, and to send their shouts of derision over the water, until the Winooski had reached her highest speed. Very likely Wash Barker and Mad Twinker had some idea of the rapidity with which the Beech Hill barge was approaching them. At any rate they hauled down their banners, and got their oars into the water.
In spite of their present semi-nude condition, the Winooskis were still under the influence of the usual discipline, and they did not attempt to look behind them, or otherwise to inquire into the movements of the Chesterfields. But the coxswain knew that the curiosity of a boy is almost as strong as his love of fun, and he was in the habit of giving his companions all the information that would interest them.
"The Chesterfields have taken down the clothes and are pulling with all their might to keep out of our reach," said he, when he was warm enough to use his organs of speech without stammering.
"That is not saying much," replied Life Windham.
"We shall overhaul them in about three minutes," added Dory.
"What then, Dory?" asked Ben Ludlow, but his wind was so nearly gone that he could hardly speak.
"I don't know, that depends," answered the coxswain.
"If they don't choose to give us back our clothes, I don't see that we can do anything," said Life Windham.
"Perhaps we can, we will see."