"Maybe they're only trying to have some fun with us."
These were some of the expressions, indignant and otherwise, that greeted the reading of the insulting reply to the challenge Frank had sent.
"Oh, there's no doubt but what it's genuine," said the young captain of the crew. "I didn't quite think it of those fellows, though."
"Did you suspect that they might not give us a race?" demanded Jack.
"I was a little afraid of it," answered Frank. "You see, we have been out of it so long that really they don't know just how to place us. In a way I suppose we can't blame them. It's just as if we were a first-class team and some little kids' school should challenge us."
"But we're not a 'kids'' school!" objected Ward. "We're in the same grade with Waterside and Milton Academy."
"Of course, and I thought the Waterside lads would have enough sporting blood to see this. But evidently they don't," and Frank shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess all our work on it won't amount to anything," spoke Andy ruefully.
"Oh, we may get a race with some crew yet," said Frank cheerfully. "Perhaps Milton Academy will take us on."
"They're worse snobs than the lads of Waterside," declared Ward.