The Uncas crew were out for a final spin over the course before the race, which had been set for the following day. Beside the Uncas and the Highpoint, the Alton, from farther up the river, had also entered. It was not thought, even by their friends, that the Uncas had much chance against the others, whose crews, particularly the Alton's, were much heavier and stronger.
"Is that better?" asked Rand, after they had rowed a short time.
"'Tis a thrifle betther," replied Gerald. "Av ye do as well to-morrow, mebbe we won't be disgraced intirely, Oi dunno."
"Come now, Gerald," pleaded Jack, "tell us how we are doing?"
"Shure, Oi don't want to discourage ye intirely," replied Gerald, "but ye didn't do any betther than three minutes in the lasht moile."
"Three minutes!" shouted Don; "did we do it in that?"
"Hurrah!" cried Jack; "we'll be in it yet."
"In what?" asked Dick.
"In the water," chuckled Jack.
"You will be," retorted Donald, "if you spring anything like that on us again."