Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/249

 Arthur Hastings won the paddle race after a hard struggle; Joe Wayring, being the first to walk the greasy pole, carried off Miss Arden's silk flag; and Roy for once went home as empty handed as he came, the sailing and upset races being won by other boys. But Roy wasn't mad about it, as some of the unsuccessful ones were. He had come there for a "good time", and he had it; and his failure to win a prize did not spoil his day's sport.

After the spectators had gone back to their hotels and all the members of the club had set out for home, the three chums sat down in the boat-house to compare notes. "I am glad it's over," said Roy, giving expression to the thoughts that were passing through the minds of his companions. "It was the meanest meet I ever heard of. I wouldn't have had that affair at the stake-boat happen for any thing. Those visitors from New London will say that we are as bad as the professional oarsmen who saw their boats, and capsize themselves on purpose."

"Well, you expected something of the kind, didn't you?" said Joe. "I did. When