Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/236

216 He saw Charles lifted from the shell into the launch, a limp figure. Then, just as the St. Timothy’s boat crossed the line, the beaten crew again took up their oars. They came on, accompanied by the launch, and from the St. John’s shore, which had so long been silent, was evoked a gallant cheer for the vanquished.

The victors paddled up to the float and there sat awaiting the St. John’s crew. Edward glanced off at the St. Timothy’s shore, but he could not anywhere see his father or  his mother. St. Timothy’s were not done yet with waving their flags and shouting; but as  the defeated crew of seven men approached  the finish line, St. Timothy’s paused in their  shouting and instead began to clap. So, applauded by friends and foes alike, St. John’s rowed to the float.

They were a tired-looking set of fellows; they saluted St. Timothy’s with melancholy  smiles, and Braddock, their captain, said  chokily,—

“Durant, you were too strong for us,—congratulations.”