three, the hour of the race. That we agreed to, but left directions
with Clump to hurry our tutors up as soon as they returned, and have
them ready for the race.

We had time to launch our boat carefully, and take a nice swim, before
we descried our tutors, followed by Clump with a long musket, descending
the knoll toward us. So we hastened our dressing, and, when they
reached the beach, were ready to receive them in our extemporised
costume of blue shirts and white trousers. Captain Mugford was already
in a perspiration from his walk, and, what we boys also noticed with
delight, seemed somewhat blown. However, he was jolly, and, flourishing
the ever active handkerchief, proposed to Mr Clare that they should row
round Leander's Rock, and _let the boys follow them_! "But at a
respectful distance, remember, boys!" We laughed scornfully at his
chaff. Harry touched his cap like a middy, and promised for our boat
that it should keep at a _very_ "respectful distance."

It took but a short time to complete preparations. Our tutors threw off
hats, coats, and vests, and tied handkerchiefs about their heads. Then
they lifted their boat into the water, and stood smiling at the
excitement we could not help betraying. Clump was on his way to
Youngster's Wharf, where, at the proper moment, he was to give the
signal for starting by firing the musket. A flag waved from Leander's
Rock; another was flying over our heads. The clear water of the bay
soused in impatient little ripples against the boats we stood ready to
enter, as if to say, "Well, why don't you come on?" and then, purling a
few feet farther, skipped over the spar which was to be our goal. Clump
had reached Youngster's Wharf. Seeing that, we entered our boats,
seated ourselves carefully, balancing the oars ready to spring, and
waited the signal. I alone could see Clump; the oarsmen had their backs
to him. The long gun was brought up to his shoulder, and his eyes fixed
on us. I saw his finger twitch, and as the hammer fell, my body gave
way to help the start. The oarsmen, with their eyes on mine, acted in
sympathy, and every oar touched the water; but the old flintlock had
only snapped. How our adversaries laughed! The old man sprang about on
the rock like a wounded baboon. He was indignant at the failure. Again
we were in order. Again I saw the musket brought up. Bang! We were
off, and were opposite Youngster's Wharf before the smoke had cleared
fr