Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/79

Rh down. How slow the days go; and will I ever hear from Europe and find that I have a mother who is coming to me as fast as steam will let her."

At four o'clock there were many hundreds of people along the river watching the animated scene. Never in all its history had the Harrapin witnessed such a collection of water craft.

Perhaps, hundreds of years back some gathering of the red tribes may have dotted its waters with birch bark canoes and heavier dugouts. It would be difficult to picture such a scene however, gazing at the jaunty shells in which sinewy lads were shooting up and down stream; noisy little power-boats that could spin along like magic; besides all manner of other craft, including many cedar canoes, both single and double.

On this day every boat almost that could carry two had a girl as a passenger, and their merry laughter and calls encouraged the practicing athletes in their endeavor to outdo previous records.

Frank found his crew on hand, and evidently in the pink of condition, at least as growing boys went. The trainer soon had them in the new shell, and talked earnestly to them before starting the craft out for a few trial spins before its last heat over the full course.

Among those who looked on and speculated as to the chances of the several crews were enthusiasts