Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/73

Rh isn't to be trusted. I believe something would happen to our boat if we left it unprotected."

"Well, perhaps you're right, old chap;" smiled Frank, "but I object to you staying here."

"Why?" demanded Lanky, in an aggrieved tone.

"Because every member of my crew has got to sleep at home to-night, and get as good a rest as he can. What would you be fit for if you prowled around all night. You'd be like a dishrag in the morning, and give out before we turned the end of old Rattail Island. If anybody has to watch let it be Buster, or some fellow who is not going to row in the races," declared Frank.

"I guess you're correct, Frank, as usual. I'll interest Buster in my idea then," and Lanky hurried away to overtake the fat student, who had started for home after floundering around in a tub for an hour, he being entered as a contestant in one of those humorous races.

Frank was about to follow suit, as it was nearing noon, when he discovered someone beckoning to him.

"Why, it's Ralph West," he said to himself as he headed toward the lad who seemed to desire his company; "and he looks troubled. I wonder if he has had bad news from across the water. He's been up to the post-office for that half-past eleven