Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/83

Rh praise from that veteran Princeton graduate thrilled Frank pleasantly.

Every boy who owned a watch was timing the heat. Various nods of satisfaction were exchanged as comparisons were made with recognized river records. The automobile from Clifford went off in a cloud of dust.

"They don't seem over joyous, those chaps," remarked Coach Willoughby, as he looked after the machine, and grinned; "perhaps you overdid it a little, boys, and put on too much steam. They are figuring whether their fellows can equal it."

"We can do better than that, sir," said Frank, confidently.

"You bet we can," gasped Launcelot Jones, or "Jonsey" as he was usually called, and who was one of the eight.

Coach Willoughby glanced sharply at him but said nothing just then. A little later, as Frank was dressing in the boathouse he remarked to Lanky:

"What did you think of our trial heat, Lanky?" The other looked around cautiously, as if to make sure that no one might hear.

"It was all to the good, but if there is going to be a weakness developed anywhere to-morrow, I think I can put my finger on it," he said, uneasily.

"I know who it is. I saw Coach Willoughby look at him when he was so out of breath. I only hope