Aware of the loss of distance by this untoward accident, which was, in fact, more than four boats' length, but undismayed and as if invigorated by her impromptu bath, in order to recover lost ground Margaret set the pace at a higher speed and forged ahead with might and main. When the throngs on land and water realized what had happened the din of exultation and cheering was beyond description and this did not abate until the race was finished. Overwrought by the sight of this heroic exploit of the girls, men and women had become madly hysterical. When the shells crossed each other at the half-mile stake it was seen that the Seminary girls had recovered considerable ground, leaving a margin of less than two boats' length. Encouraged by the splendid showing made, and goaded to endeavor by the rapturous applause of the populace, Margaret and the rest of the crew seemed to gain new strength. And when Aurora with the megaphone gave the order of thirty-six strokes a minute, they set the pace with marvelous vigor and precision, causing consternation among their masculine antagonists. On the completion of the second parabola of their circuit and when coming on to the line for the homestretch, it was noticeable that the Seminary shell was only a trifle behind. The crucial moment had come. They were now almost abreast on the homestretch. The intensity of the exciting scene had for a moment cast a profound silence upon the spectators. Every one was straining his eyes and neck to see the momentous finish, only to break again into a bedlam of rapturous shouting when the girls were seen to be in the lead. It was indeed a sight never to be forgotten, when the Seminary shell shot past the finish line a full boat's length ahead, and the girls were acclaimed by the populace as victors. The intensity of the joy of the throng, and the plight of their utter abandon, can be conjectured when it was discovered afterwards that eight hundred and ninety-one ladies' and two thousand three hundred and seventy-nine gentlemen's head-gear were picked up in the Hudson. The next day and through the week following, divers reaped a good harvest by bringing up from the river's bed one thousand three hundred and ninety-four field, marine and opera glasses, and two hundred and seventy-five lorgnettes, besides innumerable parasols and canes which the people in their abandon had thrown about. This episode was the crowning glory of the Seminary and the beginning of a new epoch in the history of this institution. CHAPTER VIII DR. HYDER BEN RAABA