The next day after lessons I, as coxswain, by Walter’s order, handed copies of the following note to Captain Mugford and Mr Clare:—
“Cape —, June 3, 1816.
“Messrs Mugford and Clare,
“The oarsmen of the galley Pupil would hereby challenge the gentlemen of the boat Tutor to a race on the eighteenth of June, in Bath Bay waters. The course to be from Youngster’s Wharf around Leander’s Rock, and return. Stakes to be—the championship of Bath Bay. The oarsmen of the Pupil would respectfully propose three p.m. as the hour for the race, and the firing of a gun the signal for the start. The oldest inhabitant, Clump, offers his services as umpire, referee, judge, and signalman.
“All which is submitted for the acceptance and concurrence of the gentlemen of the Tutor.
”(Signed) Walter Tregellin, Henry C. Higginson, Drake Quincy Tregellin, Alfred Higginson, Oarsmen,
“Robert Tregellin, Coxswain.”
Mr Clare, when he read it, smiled and said he would see about it, and then turned to Henry and asked him if he had learned those fifty lines yet.
Captain Mugford was presented with his copy as he entered the house for dinner. “Hu–um!” he said, as he took the note in the hand with his hat, and wiped his red, wet forehead with an immense silk handkerchief printed with the maritime flags of all nations. “A note! Who writes me notes? Some of your nonsense, boys, eh?” So he hitched up his trousers and sat down on the doorstep, placing the red handkerchief in his hat beside him. “Let’s see!”
“Good! good! that’s very good. The middies have got their courage up. The idea of such a stiff old seadog racing with you youngsters!”
“But you will though, won’t you, Captain, and make Mr Clare, too?” said Harry.
“Perhaps, boys, if Mr Clare will join, and then we will make you smart. And I tell you what, young gentlemen, if you beat I’ll give you a splendid Malay race-boat that I have had stored in my ship-loft these three years.”
“Hurrah! Captain, we shall win the boat!” we all cried.
“Ha! ha! what boys for warm weather! You talk as brave as a west wind. But I smell Juno’s cooking; let’s go in and talk it over with Mr Clare and a warm dish of stew.”
It was all settled to our satisfaction before dinner was over. Mr Clare enjoyed the thing as much as the Captain, and declared they would have to practise together once a week. As for us, we never missed our two hours’ pull every afternoon, rain or shine, blow high or blow low, until the all-important day proposed for the race.