rd was Conrad Carter. He was dressed in a
handsome boating costume, and his manner indicated great confidence. He
looked around for Valentine, but the latter made no motion toward the
shore, though his boat was in the pond drawn up with the rest.

"Aren't you going to row, Valentine?" asked Conrad, in surprise.

"No; I have lent my boat to Andy Grant."

At the same time Andy, in his ordinary attire, came forward, and stepped
into Valentine's boat.

Conrad arched his brows in surprise. He had been disappointed to find
that Valentine would not row, but he was quite as well pleased at the
prospect of beating Andy.

He was rather surprised, however, as he had never heard that Andy could
row.

"He must be a fool to think of rowing against me," he said to himself.

Next came Jimmy Morris, who took his place in one of Serwin's boats.

Two other boys also appeared in hired boats, one of them being Dennis
Carlyle, a friend of John Larkin.

When the boats were in line, a superintendent gave the signal.

Conrad got the first start. The others kept together, a length or two
behind Conrad. Andy did not appear to be exerting himself, but his
strokes showed a smoothness that was lacking in any of the rest.

Mr. Gale, the donor of the prize, who was himself a good rower, took
notice of him.

"Who is that boy?" he asked, pointing to Andy. "I don't think I have
seen him before."

"It is Andy Grant, the son of Farmer Grant."

"Why haven't I seen him before?"

"He has been absent at school--at Penhurst Academy."

"He knows how to row. See how he handles his oars."

"I didn't know he was a rower."

"He is, and a good one. I shouldn't be surprised if he wins the race."

"What, against Conrad Carter?" asked the superintendent, incredulously.

"Yes. It is easy to see that he has been trained, while Conrad, though
he pulls a strong oar, rows like a country amateur."

Conrad was so intent upon his own work that he had not had an
opportunity of watching his competitors. When he had nearly reached the
point selected on the other bank, he turned about and saw Andy close
behind him.

Andy was not apparently exerting himself, but pulled a strong, steady
stroke, and seemed quite free from excitement. For the first time Conrad
saw that he was a competitor not to be despised.

After the turn Conrad and Andy led the procession. Next came Jimmy
Morris, and last of all Dennis Carlyle.

The latter managed to catch a crab, and i