The Putnam Hall Cadets: or, Good Times in School and Out. Stratemeyer Edward

pull!” And they did pull as never before.

      But quarter of a mile of the race remained, and now Jack’s boat was crawling up to the rival craft.

      “See, Paxton’s boat is but half a length ahead!”

      “They are tie again!”

      “Pull, everybody, and may the best crew win!” came from a gentleman in one of the sailboats.

      “Oh, pa, I hope that last boat wins,” cried a girl in the sailing craft, a fine small yacht.

      “So do I, Laura,” came from a second girl.

      “Why, Flossie?” questioned her father, with a smile.

      “Oh, I don’t know. They look nicer than the boys in the first boat.”

      “Really? You have sharp eyes, I must say.” And then Mr. Ford, for such was the gentleman’s name, turned to the race once more.

      Jack, Pepper, Andy, and Joe Nelson were working like steam engines, and the same may be said of their opponents. On and on swept the two rowboats toward the finish line. There was a wild yelling along the lake front and from the various boats gathered around.

      “Come, we must win!” shouted Joe Nelson, and seemed to suddenly wake up. Jack and the others also renewed their exertions, and now their spurt carried them a foot in the lead.

      “Here they come!”

      “Jack Ruddy’s boat is ahead!”

      “Paxton is crawling up again!”

      It was true, the rivals were also spurting, and for a moment the two craft were side by side once more. But Paxton’s crew could not keep up the terrific pace, and suddenly they fell back, and Jack and his friends shot over the line winners by a full length.