Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/139

 : I never saw a Shadow canoe get through the water, until I saw yours going down the lake yesterday afternoon."

"Thank you," said Tom. "Do you know who are booked for winners this year?"

"Booked!" repeated Joe. "There's nobody booked. The best men will win, as they always have done."

"I am afraid you are mistaken."

"Oh, no; I guess not. We don't have any jockeying here, and if any member of the club should so far forget himself as to interfere with one of the contestants, he would never row another race on this lake."

"I know some boys who are going to take their chances on it," said Tom, quietly.

"On fouling the head man so that somebody else can win?" cried Joe.

"That's just what I mean."

Joe could hardly believe his ears, and neither could Loren and Ralph believe theirs. This, then, was what Tom meant when he cautioned them against being surprised at any thing he might say! They were surprised—they couldn't help it; and in order that Joe might not see