Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/294

278 Then one of the latter tubs collided with that of Dutch. He uttered a surprised exclamation, turned to look, and his paddle slipped from his grasp.

"Come back here!" yelled he, making a grab for it.

Alas for Dutch! He over-balanced himself, or perhaps he was dizzy from the whirling. At any rate overboard he went with a splash.

"There! I knew something would happen!" cried Mr. Lighton, in vexed tones, as he saw the accident, and he hurried down to see that Dutch quickly changed to dry rowing togs, for the tub racers had worn their light garments.

Meanwhile Snail Looper came steadily on, finishing first, with a Fairview lad second.

"First win for Randall!" yelled a Boxer Hall adherent. "You fellows had better stick to tubs!"

"Wait!" murmured Tom. "This may put Dutch in just the right trim to pull the race of his life."