“Not in my line, Bob,” he answered, dryly.
The boys surveyed the rival groups with interest. The motor boat crews were apparently the leaders in their respective schools, and each had a crowd of sturdy followers anxious for the fray.
“All ready, you chaps?” sang out Bates.
“Ready, here!” shouted the Ripleys, in chorus.
The referee raised his megaphone.
“One—two”—it was a tense moment—“three—go!”
“They’re at it,” breathed Jack. “Yell for the Ripleys, fellows!”
The two groups brought up against the huge push ball at the same instant. It wobbled and shook, and ambled sideways, while defiant shouts were hurled from camp to camp.
It was a battle full of interest and humor. The erratic movements of the ball, which was sometimes raised high off the ground, brought forth peals of laughter.
Suddenly the Thorntons made a combined onslaught, and the ball was pushed several yards toward the Ripley line.