Graham B. Forbes

“ Ginger Harper was bending to his work like a Trojan, and doing his full share of the lusty pull that was carrying the colors of good old Columbia High to another glorious victory!
No need of any admonition from the coach, who was there at the bridge to witness the wind-up. He had done his work, and could only watch the result. Ralph stole one look at Coach Willoughby as he stood close by, and if sheer delight was ever shown on any man's ruddy face it was on his as he saw his boys shoot underneath, a full length and a third ahead of their determined rivals! ”

“ Frank felt a thrill of alarm. What could these men mean to do with him? He did not fancy their looks in the least, for they seemed bold and reckless. Could it be possible that they felt hard toward him because of what he had done? The loss of the jewelry must have been a bitter blow to them, hunted as they were, without anything to pay for the game.
"What do you mean to do?" he demanded, beginning to struggle again.
"Lie still if you don't want to get hurted!" roared Joey, making as if to dash his fist in the boy's face, only Martin caught him in time. ”

“ Frank stretched out his hand and took hold of it.
"Waterlogged," he said, as he drew himself along the sunken craft in order to reach the bow.
"Frank, it looks to me like your boat!" cried Paul, huskily.
"It is my boat; see here," and Frank, drawing the sunken craft up by main strength until a fair portion of its bow was exposed, pointed to a name painted there.
"It's the Undine, as sure as you live! What in the wide world can have happened to the girls?" muttered Paul, staring at that telltale name as though it might speak, and answer his question. ”

“ There are dozens of small motor-boats on the Harrapin, and perhaps lots of them out every night, with parties of young people aboard. Push hard, Lanky; and we might land on this point here. It will save us a longer swim if we do," said Frank.
Between them the two boys managed to get ashore with the boat. For the second time the damaged craft was hauled out of the water.
"Say, this thing's getting to be a regular habit! I don't like it. Variety's the spice of life with me, and not a monotonous grind;" grumbled Lanky, as he shook himself like a water spaniel. ”

“ And by the time the boathouse was reached, quite a mob surrounded the bearers of the wonderful eight-oared shell that had been found reposing on the roof of the sky-scraper, "looking over the course of the race, so as to get posted," as Lanky declared, when he came running up and heard the wonderful news.
Eager hands removed the crate piecemeal. Then the burlap was taken away, while a score of watchful eyes scrutinized every part of the beautifully polished surface, fearing to find that some damage had been done in all this handling. ”

“ Frank, I owe you another bunch of thanks for this. You're a darling, for a fact!"
"'Some men are born great, and others have greatness thrust upon them.' Frank is midway between the two," remarked Molly Manners, solemnly.
"So say we all of us!" echoed the bunch in concert, raising their hands after the manner of a witness in court.
"Thanks, fellows! You overwhelm me," laughed the object of this demonstration.
"Well, boys, are you ready to turn these chaps over to the majesty of the law?" asked Chief Hogg, with a grin. ”

“ The island loomed up ahead. Scores of Clifford people had taken up their stations on it, so as to witness the turn. They knew everybody could not be at the finish, and preferred half a loaf to no bread.
"Get out the way there with those boats! Do you want to have an accident?"
It was Coach Willoughby roaring through his megaphone, and his voice carried like a fog horn signal. A number of pleasure boats had clustered about the upper end of the island, and unless they made a hasty move it was possible that one of the contestants might collide with a rowboat or a launch. ”

“ Why every man-jack get out and hunt, high and low! That boat hasn't been taken a great way off, I give you my word; and we've just got to find her right away!" declared Frank, earnestly.
His spirit began to enter into the rest.
"We will find her, as sure as you're born!" exclaimed Charley McGregor, another of the "eight," and known among his fellows as "Chatz."
"Say, wouldn't they be apt to take her down to the river, and launch her?" asked Lanky, who had arrived in time to hear what was wrong, and of course looked as angry as a wet hen.
"A bright idea," echoed Frank. ”

“ What Frank had just said seemed to give his chum new hope. His face lighted up; and he even breathed without that horrible sound as though he were gasping for air.
"What if that happened to be so, where would the girls be likely to land and wait up for us?" asked Paul, eagerly.
"I was just thinking about that island down below," replied the other, quickly.
"Frank, I believe you're right. Let's pull for it and see. It was a mean trick if they did leave the girls there all this time. They must be frightened half to death. Come along!" exclaimed Paul, jumping into his boat. ”

“ I shiver to think what a lonely life I would have led here in Columbia only for the generous big-hearted way you and your friends took me in on trust. I can never forget it, never do enough in return," said Ralph, with tears in his eyes, for he felt very keenly upon this matter.
"Shucks! the favor is all on the other side. We've enjoyed your company to the limit. Outside of Paul, there isn't a fellow I've come to care so much for, even good old Lanky. Forget all about your troubles for a time, and try to have just a bully good vacation. ”

“ And when he had finished by giving most of the praise to the valiant sons of Columbia High who had appeared just in the nick of time, the gentleman squeezed his hand again and again, while there was a suspicious moisture in his eyes as he said:
"I consider myself a most fortunate man to have a boy so capable of looking out for himself. And Frank, your mother will share my pride when she hears about this thing. But make as light of it as you can, son, because it will frighten her to know that you have been in serious danger." ”

“ It's the girls all right. There's Minnie right now, and she sees us too, for she waves her hat!" said Frank, his voice trembling with sincere gratitude.
"Bully! It's all to the good, then! But all the same I could hammer that fool who played such a low trick on a couple of girls. Run you a race to the island, Frank!" exclaimed Paul.
"Go it, then. I'm game," replied his chum.
How the water did churn as the oars dipped deeply and the prows of the boats glided with the current! After the amazing time made in the cedar shell of the morning their speed must have seemed tame indeed. ”

“ A man was descending a series of ladders that led upward. He eyed the young people with more or less curiosity.
"Lookin' for anything?" he asked, as he came up; and Frank noticed that there was a sort of grin on his good-natured Irish face.
"Yes, we are," returned Frank, quickly, "a boat!"
"It's up on the roof!" came the staggering answer that caused the three young people to look at one another in dismay; and then Minnie broke out into a merry rippling laugh as the comical aspect of the thing struck her. ”

“ I believe something would happen to our boat if we left it unprotected."
"Well, perhaps you're right, old chap;" smiled Frank, "but I object to you staying here."
"Why?" demanded Lanky, in an aggrieved tone.
"Because every member of my crew has got to sleep at home to-night, and get as good a rest as he can. What would you be fit for if you prowled around all night. You'd be like a dishrag in the morning, and give out before we turned the end of old Rattail Island. If anybody has to watch let it be Buster, or some fellow who is not going to row in the races," declared Frank. ”

“ Why, if you told about our boat being struck and sunk by a shooting star half the population of old Columbia would be hiking up this way with shovels and dragnets, hoping to capture a valuable prize. It's a great thing to have a reputation for never telling fish stories," laughed Frank, as they started along the dusty road.
"Oh! have your fun, old fellow, if you want. I know it's only done to hide an aching heart, and that you're just as sore over that smash-up on the river as I am. I'm going to make a solemn vow, Frank, d'ye hear?" demanded Lanky, striding along at his companion's side. ”

“ Frank was not disturbed. He had easily discovered by now that the Columbia yell far outranked all other noise, and from that could judge what it portended. The boat propelled by the home four must be leading. Perhaps it was a close race, and that last half mile on the home stretch might produce as pretty a race as had ever been rowed on the famous Harrapin river.
He could not help being deeply interested himself, no matter how much he tried to master his emotions and remain cool. ”

“ Ralph went on.
"That's what I get for telling a girl. They can never keep a secret. Helen understood that I didn't want anyone to know what I thought. You see Ralph, I have no real proof outside of a laugh, and that's rather weak to hang a fellow. But Lanky is going to burrow around until he discovers who it was. He's sworn a solemn vow never to rest until he learns," laughed Frank. ”

“ It would be difficult to picture such a scene however, gazing at the jaunty shells in which sinewy lads were shooting up and down stream; noisy little power-boats that could spin along like magic; besides all manner of other craft, including many cedar canoes, both single and double.
On this day every boat almost that could carry two had a girl as a passenger, and their merry laughter and calls encouraged the practicing athletes in their endeavor to outdo previous records.
Frank found his crew on hand, and evidently in the pink of condition, at least as growing boys went. ”

“ Make preparations for fire, while you're about it, Buster."
"Do you really think any one of them would go that far?" demanded the other.
"I hate to think so, but you know as well as I do that when men make a business of gambling on races they will stop at nothing in order to win. I've even heard of cases where one of the contestants was made sick just before the race, to weaken him; a boat damaged by fire; a jockey bribed to throw a race; or a favorite horse doped while in the stable. Don't sleep, Buster, on duty, or it may cost us dear!" urged Frank. ”

“ Everybody seems to feel as if something dreadful is hanging over our heads. That boat being stolen last night shows how easy things can be done, if only there is a will! I wish it was to-morrow night," sighed Paul; who, while a fine, manly fellow, lacked some of the resolute and self-reliant qualities that made his friend such a factor in bringing victory to Columbia High on many an occasion.
It was about a quarter to ten when the trio of young people bade Frank and Helen good night, and went away. Frank, standing out on the steps, looked after them. ”

“ It was Chief Hogg, the head of Columbia's police force, clad in all the regalia of his exalted office, and with a bright silver star upon his left breast.
"Hello, Chief! Do we look like a desperate pair of scoundrels? Is that why you are holding us up on the road to town?" asked Frank, laughingly.
"Well, boys, this is certainly one on me. You happened to say something that made us believe the men we wanted had shown up. But it is a mighty queer thing. This rig corresponds with the description to a dot, too," he went on, looking at both horse and vehicle, and shaking his head. ”

“ Many Clifford enthusiasts had remained over to see the goings-on of the victorious crew; and bunches of them would every now and then send out a defiant bleat for their home school, all of which was taken in good part by the happy throngs.
Of course there were a few fellows belonging to Columbia High who did not take much stock in this clamorous celebration of the great river victory. Bill Klemm and Tony Gilpin were with the crowds of students, and tried to forget their personal grievances in shouting for the school; but Lef Seller stayed indoors. ”

“ A madder pair of rascals it would have been hard to find anywhere. To be captured at all was bad enough, but the idea of a parcel of boys accomplishing what all the police chiefs had been unable to do was humiliating.
"I see what it is," grumbled Martin, with a shrug of his broad shoulders to signify disgust; "you're one of them fellers that's born under a lucky star, Frank Allen. Things just naturally come your way all the time. We was big fools to have anything to do with you. Joey here suggested it first." ”

“ Buster rounded the stake first. There was a grin on his face as if he anticipated an easy victory now. He immediately increased his lead until he had placed considerable distance between himself and his rivals.
Then he unfortunately turned his head to look back. Buster should have known better. It is always a dangerous thing to do, whether when fleeing from a burning city or trying to win a boat race.
Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt from looking back; but Buster simply rolled gracefully out of his tub into the Harrapin river. ”

“ I'm the coxswain of the eight-oared shell, you know, and it would make somebody jealous if we happened to win that race."
Minnie turned a bit red as she heard him say this.
"I know who you have in mind. I've had my eyes opened about that young gentleman, Frank, and unless I change my mind he's never going to see much of my society again. Any one who could ruin the chances of his school winning a contest against such bitter rivals as Bellport and Clifford, just to satisfy his own mean grudge is too contemptible for anything—there!" ”

“ It must be a clean win calculated to stand the closest scrutiny in order to satisfy all parties.
Down the river they shot like arrows speeding from stout bows.
The din now was fairly deafening, and each rower's muscles were strained to the utmost to hold out. Frank knew from the coach's gestures that he had increased his lead to some two boat lengths, and that Clifford was not gaining a foot despite the herculean efforts of her trained rowers.
If the Columbia High boys could only hold their own the race was already as good as won. But Frank began to be alarmed. ”