was showing its boasted reserve steam.

Close as they now were to the finish, Pascal had no thought of
permitting defeat to come to his crew.

No dinning of whistles was there now. Every spectator waited
breathlessly for the outcome that would be reached in the next
few seconds.

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

Then the end came.

Pascal sank back on his seat with a groan when he had put in the
last dip of his paddle that could do any good.

Frantic indeed was the cheering, and now once more came the deafening
screech of whistles.

From the judges' launch, as soon as the din had died down a bit,
came the announcement through a megaphone:

"Gridley High School wins by three quarters of a length."

Dick heard the news, then ordered quietly:

"Paddle---easily."

A turn of his own blade swung the prow around so that the "Scalp-hunter"
glided in toward the hotel landing float.

To-day he had no jubilant mob of Gridleyites to fear in the excess
of their joy. Only some very gentle friends of their own town
came hurrying forward to congratulate them.

But Dr. Bentley gripped Dick's arm as soon as that young man stepped
from the canoe.

"Bring your crew along and follow me, Prescott," whispered the
physician. "You are a limp-looking lot. That was a wild, splendid
finish, but I fear you may have put it too hard to your crew.
I want to examine you all, to make sure that not too much harm
has been done by your desperate 'kill yourself' order."

Dr. Bentley led the way to the boathouse, while a hotel employ
took charge of the "Scalp-hunter."

He listened briefly at each boy's heart, then made them all sit
still for ten minutes. At the end of that time he examined them
again as to heart beat. Half an hour later he made a third examination.

"I don't believe anyone of you has sustained any lasting injury,"
said Dr. Bentley at last. "But, Prescott, don't you ever dare
give a 'kill yourself' order again. That is my order, and an
emphatic one. You may recall that I happen to be medical director
of the Gridley High School Athletic Association. If you youngsters
ever try a pace like that again, then undoubtedly you will all
be disqualified from future athletic events. Don't forget."

After that lecture Dick & Co. were allowed to sponge with hot
water, rub down and put on ordinary clothing. Then they went
forth to meet their friends.

Ted Pascal, however, was the first to rush forward. He had been