Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/237

Rh Columbia was certainly creeping up, steadily. Now it could be seen that a gap of half a boat's length separated their shell from that of Clifford. In vain did the other coxswain increase his stroke to the utmost limit of which his crew was capable; superior merit held its own in this case, and so they swept down the river amid a salvo of rousing cheers, and headed for the finishing line under the railroad bridge.

Now it was seen that an entire boat length lay between. And this time there was no useless "dead wood" in Columbia's shell. Ginger Harper was bending to his work like a Trojan, and doing his full share of the lusty pull that was carrying the colors of good old Columbia High to another glorious victory!

No need of any admonition from the coach, who was there at the bridge to witness the wind-up. He had done his work, and could only watch the result. Ralph stole one look at Coach Willoughby as he stood close by, and if sheer delight was ever shown on any man's ruddy face it was on his as he saw his boys shoot underneath, a full length and a third ahead of their determined rivals!

The great race was over!

And it was again Columbia day!

Enthusiasm ran rampant. Squads of students were in waiting ready to snatch the members of that