"All right," said Donald, when Dick had finished, "we'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again."
The boys were in their club room in the attic of Mr. Scott's house, which had been given over to Rand's use. By one of the windows was the instruments of a wireless station with which Rand and his chums had experimented, and scattered about the room were golf clubs, baseball bats and other implements and apparatus of boyish sports.
"It isn't a question of winning or losing," went on Rand. "There would not be any sport in it if we only went in when we thought we would win. We will do our best and if we lose we will cheer our loudest for the winners."
"That's the talk!" cried Jack. "We may not win success, but we'll deserve it."
"Then," continued Rand, "we agree to accept the challenge of the
Highpoints. How's this for a reply?"
"TO THE HIGHPOINT PATROL, GREETING:
"The Uncas Patrol accepts with pieasure your courteous challenge to a contest on the Hudson. Time and place to be agreed upon."
"In my opinion," said Donald, "you should say 'rowing match' as being more specific."
"All right," replied Rand. "Are there any further additions or amendments? If not, I will declare it approved as read."
"Now, who will volunteer to carry it to Highpoint?"