"We will!" and his brother clapped him on the shoulder.
It was with no little satisfaction that the lads of Riverview heard of the defeat of Milton Academy by Waterside Hall.
"That's just what we want," declared the young captain. "It gives us a clear look-in for the championship. If Milton had won we'd have had to row them after we cleaned up Waterside."
"You're not at all confident," said Jack with a laugh.
All the time they could spare from their lessons the crew spent on the river. Sometimes they could only snatch a half hour, for with the advancement of the term studies became harder, and Mr. Callum added to the troubles of our friends, for he seemed to watch his chance for making it unpleasant for Frank or Andy and often kept them in after class for some real or fancied failing.
"But I'm not going to kick," said Frank grimly. "That's just what he's laying for. He wants to get a hold on us because we're helping Mrs. Morton and her daughter."
"Heard anything about that case lately?" asked Andy.
"Yes, dad's working on it. I suppose Lawyer Bolton is attending to his end of it. It will come out right, I hope."
It was the afternoon before the race with Waterside. Every last thing had been done, the final practice had been held, and the boys of Riverview were in good trim. They were fit to row for the championship.
"And I think you'll get it, too," declared Coach Wallace. "Go to bed early to-night, have a good sleep, take care of yourselves, and we'll have a race worth seeing to-morrow even if we have an old shell."