his intimate friend, he concluded to keep
it.

"The investment is bringing in good interest," he said, "and as it was
Jerry who did the work in getting it, the lad shall have it just as it
stands when I and my wife die."

Immediately after these matters were settled up, Jerry began to study for
college, and Harry did also, and both made the entrance examination with
ease.

Jerry was a fine scholar and he was also one of the best oarsmen in his
class. Harry likewise rowed a good deal, although not near as much as
formerly.

It was a perfect day and the river was filled with pleasure boats, loaded
down to the rails with sightseers. The banks of the stream were likewise
lined with the crowds which had poured in to see the various college
oarsmen compete for the supremacy in aquatic sports.

In the crowd on short was our old friend Blumpo Brown. Blumpo was now in
business at Lakeview, letting out pleasure boats, of which he owned
several, and he was unusually prosperous. Just at present he was wearing
the colors of Jerry's college and "whooping her up" for our hero whenever
the chance presented itself.

At the given signal the single shells took their places at the starting
point.

The participants were the pick of the single-shell men, and Jerry realized
that he would have a struggle to win.

A puff of smoke, the report of a gun, and they were off!

"A fine start!"

"Hosmer leads!"

"He will lead to the finish!"

"Pinkney is a close second!"

"Jerry Upton is third!"

"My! but they are cutting the water!"

"Two to one that Hosmer wins!"

"Three to one that the record is broken!"

"Foah to one dat Jerry Upton wins dis race!" cried Blumpo Brown, waving a
big college flag over his head. "Dat boy don't know what it is to lose!"

"Hear that chap talk!"

"Pitch him overboard to cool him off!"

"Dat's all right, it's Jerry Upton's muscle dat's talkin', not me!"
growled Blumpo.

Down the straight course came the single-shell oarsmen, each back bending
to a long and powerful stroke.

The quarter stretch was past with Hosmer still in the lead.

Behind him came Pinkney and Jerry, side by side.

Then came the half stretch. The leaders still held the same positions.

"Told you Hosmer would win!"

"Jerry Upton is falling behind!"

It was true. Pinkney had increased his stroke and was crawling up slowly
but surely to the leader.

"Pull, Jerry, pull," yelled Harry.

"You dun got to win dat race, sua