This question was discussed for the next few minutes; and it was plain that Ben Ludlow and several others had "no stomach for the fight" which they believed would grow out of a meeting with the Chesterfields. If there was going to be a fight, they wanted to be equal in numbers to the enemy; and they felt that the older and heavier fellows of the other boat would make an even thing of it.
For this reason they were not in favor of following up the Chesterfields until they were reinforced by the Gildrocks. This was the view of several of the crew, but the majority, whatever their opinion, were entirely willing to leave the whole matter to the plucky but prudent coxswain. He had always brought them out of all difficulties, and they were more disposed to trust him than to depend upon themselves. They were vigorous in their support of Dory, declared that they would obey orders whatever broke, and hoped he would do what he thought best.
Those who were anxious to follow their own views were compelled to yield the point, and they ceased to offer any further resistance. Ben Ludlow and the others who had been so desirous of getting even with the Collegiates were not so earnest as they had been. They were ready to "call names," and throw mud, but when it looked like a brush of another kind, their backs were not so stiff.
"Fellows, you have behaved first rate so far, and I hope you will do so to the end of this affair," said Dory, after all questions had been settled. "You kept still when I asked you to do so, and, whatever happens, we shall go in with clean hands. I don't know how we can settle this matter with those fellows, but I want you to be silent and let me do all the talking with them."
"All right, Dory: propel," replied Corny Minkfield; and the sentiment was promptly indorsed by all the others.
The coxswain began to increase the speed of the Winooski, which had already gained half the distance between the boats. In a few minutes she was within hail of the enemy.
CHAPTER VI. THE COXSWAIN OF THE WINOOSKI INDULGES IN MORE STRATEGY.
The Chesterfields were struggling with all their might at their oars. They appeared to have no idea of the speed of the Winooski, and evidently entertained the idea that they could run away from her when they exerted themselves to the utmost. But Wash Barker and Mad Twinker, the coxswains, had apparently learned one thing: and this was that their crews could not handle the boats so well in rough as in smooth water.