the nine girls in the graceful, polished cedar shell
were cheered again and again as they came opposite the grandstand and
boathouses.

There was Colonel Richard Swayne, who used to be so much opposed to
girls' athletics, waving his cap, his bald head shining in the sun. And
Principal Sharp was beside him, likewise cheering for his own crew.

Back on the driveway Aunt Dora actually stood up and waved her umbrella
in recognition of the twins as the shell belonging to Central High came
easily to the line. There were Laura's and Chet's parents, too, in the
automobile; with Mrs. Morse and the doctor's wife; and even Alice Long,
with Tommy, the irrepressible, and Katie and May, were all there,
shouting and waving handkerchiefs, all hoping that the girls in the
eight-oared shell would notice them.

Eve and Otto Sitz had ridden in to view the race; but they were in
Prettyman Sweet's repaired launch, and Laura could hear the voice of the
Swiss girl calling to her. The twins saw Aunt Dora and their father
standing up in the carriage; but it was against the rules for the
participants to notice the cheering crowd.

"Eyes in the boat, girls! Make ready!" snapped Bobby, bending forward in
her seat. "He's getting ready to fire that pistol."

Celia Prime settled herself for the first stroke. "All ready?" she
asked, and the girls behind her--Jess Morse, Dorothy Lockwood, Mary
O'Rourke, Roberta Fish, Nellie Agnew, Dora Lockwood and Laura
Belding--all murmured their acquiescence. The starter looked along the
line of shells and got a nod from each coxswain.

The pistol spoke, and "They're off!" shouted the crowd. Like five huge
water-spiders, the eight-oared shells darted along the course. With a
strain and a heave at the end of every stroke, the boats were propelled
in a magnificent burst of speed. For some rods there was scarcely any
difference in the standing of the five crews.

Then, as in old times, Keyport drew ahead.

"Hang to 'em! Like bulldogs!" shouted Bobby Hargrew through the
megaphone she wore strapped to her mouth.

Instantly Celia stretched out a little more and the clack of the oars in
Central High boat sounded quicker. The new shell sped on and its bow was
almost instantly at the stern of Keyport's boat. Behind, the other three
crews were spread out badly. Only Lumberport was coming up at all. East
and West Highs were no-where from the start.

The Keyport crew were pulling with all their might and main then, an