CHAPTER XXXIII
MENDEZ EXPLAINS
"Come on, Boswell!"
"Row hard!"
"You've got to row!"
"It's your last chance!"
Thus his mates encouraged the Randall lad in the single shell, as the three craft swept on up to the finish line in front of the new boathouse. But it was not to be. Boswell pulled with all his strength. Never had there been seen a better exhibition on Sunny River, but it was too late. His little hesitation when he had called to Mendez—the excited state of his mind, in wondering at Tom's accusation—all contributed to his defeat. The slight delay was fatal.
"Oh, row! Row!" implored Bean Perkins. "Give him a song, fellows!" and that grand Latin chorus of the ancients pealed out.
But it was not to be. Fairview was leading, with Boxer second and poor Boswell third. And in this order they finished, giving Fairview her first win
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