s attracted attention. On inquiry it was learned that the
two gentlemen had been up at the island fishing. They had watched the race
in the meanwhile, and they were willing to make affidavit that Jerry had
not interfered in the slightest degree with Si Peters.

"He took the outside, and he really gave Peters more room than was
necessary."

The two gentlemen were too well known to be doubted in what they said, and
at once the judges refused to accept Si Peters' plea.

"The race goes to Jerry Upton, who won it fairly."

Then how Jerry's friends did yell with delight! The lad was pounced upon
and raised up on his friends' shoulders, and away went the boat club boys
around the town, Blumpo in advance of them blowing a big fish-horn.

"You is de boy!" said the homeless youth. "You is de best oarsman on de
lake!"

Harry was in the crowd, and when he told how he had outwitted Wash Crosby
every one roared.

The race, however, made lots of ill-feeling. The Rockpoint boys could not
stand defeat, and that evening half a dozen rows started in as many
different places.

Sticks and stones were freely used, and many boys went home with their
arms and heads tied up.

Jerry became involved in one of the worst of the fights in rather a
peculiar manner. He was on his way home rather late, thinking all was over
and that the Rockpointers had departed, when he heard a hoarse cry for
help from down a side street.

He recognized the voice as that of Blumpo Brown, and at once hurried to
the spot, there to find the youth at the mercy of four of the Rockpoint
boys, including Wash Crosby, Si Peters, and two others named Banner and
Graves. The quartet had poor Blumpo down on his back and were kicking him
as hard as they could.

"You cowards!" shouted Jerry as he rushed up, "to kick a fellow when he's
down!"

"This is none of your affair," shouted Si Peters. "He insulted us, and we
won't take an insult from anybody, much less an Indian coon."

"Da jess pitched inter me!" howled Blumpo. "Sabe me!"

"Let up, I say!" went on Jerry, and, clutching Si Peters by the shoulder,
he flung the big Rockpointer flat on his back several feet away. Then
Jerry pitched into the others of the crowd.

This gave Blumpo a chance to rise. He scrambled up and let out a long and
loud yell for help. Luckily, some other boys were not far away. They heard
the cry and arrived on a run.

"We must skip now!" cried Wash Crosby to Si Peters. "We'll have the who