The boys pulled with all their strength, yet when they arrived at the Hall boathouse, they found that they were exactly twelve minutes behind the supper hour.
"No time to wash up," said Roger. "We'll be lucky if we can slip into the dining room without being observed."
With all speed they tied up their craft and ran for the school building. They were just entering the side door when they were brought face to face with Job Haskers, the second assistant teacher and a man who was very dictatorial in his manner.
"Stop!" cried Job Haskers, catching Dave by the shoulder. "What do you mean by coming in at this hour?"
"We were out on the river and broke an oarlock, Mr. Haskers," replied Dave.
"Humph! an old excuse."
"It is the truth, sir," and Dave's face flushed.
"I broke the oarlock," said Roger. "We got back as soon as we could—as soon as we got a new lock at Ike Rasmer's boathouse."
"We cannot allow pupils to come in half an hour late," went on Job Haskers, loftily. "Directly after supper, report to me in classroom 7," and he passed on.
"We are in for it now," grumbled Phil. "It's a shame! It wasn't our fault that the oarlock broke."
