Addison was not well liked at Blue Cove, but he was something of an all-around athlete, and without doubt as good a man with an oar as could be found among the academy students. He was considered of great value to the academy crew. Since his defeat in the attempt to bar the Yale Combine from the race, Addison had sulked and held himself aloof, refusing to speak to Frank and his friends, whom he pronounced “a lot of plebes, not fit associates for any gentleman.” Addison’s friends had seen him sulky before, and Spencer advised them to let him alone, saying he would get over it after a while if he was not troubled. CHAPTER XVII—THE EIGHT-OAR SHELL After their work on the river, the boys enjoyed themselves lolling about in hammocks, playing tennis and strolling and talking with the pretty girls they found at the Cove. The girls seemed to take readily to the newcomers, which added to Addison’s hostility, as a young lady on whom he had bestowed a great deal of attention was quickly appropriated by Bart Hodge. It was a remarkable thing that, although Bart was a serious fellow, with a rather moody face, he was a great favorite with the girls. There was some sort of magnetism about him that attracted them. Rattleton, on the other hand, although he could crack jokes and keep a party shouting with laughter, did not seem to have much success with the opposite sex. They all pronounced him a splendid fellow, but it was seldom one cared to take a stroll with him or swing with him in a hammock on the hotel veranda of a moonlight evening. Frank and Jack often were seen taking the path that led over to the little hollow in which stood the home of Capt. Barnaby. Elsie Bellwood was there, and no other girl could make an impression on Merriwell, although not a few of them tried. Frank had introduced Diamond to Kate Spencer, and Jack was smitten with her immediately. It proved to be a case of mutual admiration, for Elsie told Frank that Kate had “raved” over Jack the night after her first meeting with him. “Frank,” said Jack, as they were returning to the hotel the evening of his first meeting with Kate, “I believe Blue Cove is the place for me. I could stay here the rest of my life.” Merriwell chuckled softly. “How long have you felt that way?” he asked. “Oh, I don’t know. But this, Merriwell, is Old Virginia, and I am on my native soil. I feel like myself once more.”