Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/22

12 down with the current, but they realized that it would be harder coming back. However, they were out for practice as much as anything else, and did not mind a stiff pull.

"I wonder what sort of a stroke we pull?" said Tom, as they rowed on.

"Oh, we probably have lots of faults," admitted Frank. "But they can be corrected."

"It's a pretty big chunk to bite off—to think of beating Boxer Hall, where the fellows have been rowing for years, and we just starting in," commented Sid.

"Oh, stranger things have happened," declared Tom. "We can do it."

Then began a spirited discussion of the splendid offer that had been made to Randall, and a talk as to what the other students would think of it. The four chums were enthusiastic over the prospect.

"Say," called Tom, after a bit. "This is all right, and lots of fun, but we've come down quite a way, and we've got to think of going back. This current is fierce."

"Quitter!" called Phil.

"Nothing of the sort—I've got common-sense," was the retort.

"Tom is right," said Frank Simpson, in a quiet voice. "We mustn't overdo the thing. It is going