if this change of methods occurs."

This seemed logical, and not a few were ready to agree with Gordan.
Harry Rattleton came up, and the lads appealed to him at once.

"You are Merriwell's roommate," said Robinson, "and you should know if
it is true that Yale is going to change her oars and stroke for the
Oxford oar and stroke."

Harry grinned mysteriously.

"Why should I know all this just because I am Merriwell's roommate?" he
asked. "Do you think he knows everything he tells me--I mean do you
think he tells me everything he knows?"

"Of course not, but he'd be sure to tell you this, for you know he
introduced English methods with 'Umpty-eight last year, and he must be
rather proud if Collingwood has given in that those methods are
preferable to the old Yale ways."

"If Merry were proud of anything, you'd never know it by his words or
manner," said Harry. "He is not given to boasting."

"Oh, of course not!" cried Little, impatiently. "We all swear by Frank
Merriwell, but what we wish to know is if he has induced Collingwood to
adopt the Oxford oar and stroke."

"Well, you'll have to ask Merriwell, for I will tell you frankly that I
don't know. The longer I room with him the less I pry into his affairs,
and, if he knows Collingwood's plans, he has not seen fit to reveal
them to me. That is all, gentlemen."

That was anything but satisfactory, as the faces of the assembled lads
plainly indicated.

"Well, it can't be long before we find out!" cried Robinson, in disgust.
"If Yale has whiffled about at this late hour it will show reprehensible
weakness and lack of policy. Harvard is bound to win. Then she will
crow. They have won the annual debate right along, so that my old fogy
uncle declares all the brains are in Harvard. If they win the spring
race he'll decide that brawn is going to Harvard, as well as brain, and
Yale is in the decline."

"They never won anything fair," declared Halliday. "Why, I've heard they
have men out West all the while searching for new debaters. They claim
that Harvard don't care to go in for athletics, but takes a leading
stand in all intellectual pursuits, such as debating and chess."

"Chess is certainly a highly intellectual pursuit," drawled Browning.
"If I had entered Harvard I should take an interest in it. Debating is
too trying. The exertion of standing on one's feet and talking is very
severe."

"If you would take a little more exertion you might get some of the
flesh