In a moment this man was forgotten. The boat slipped out to the _Clyde_, the little steam yacht that was to take the victorious crew back to quarters. The exhausted rowers were lifted on board amid renewed cheering, and the trip up the river began. It was a triumphant procession. All along the line the _Clyde_, which was decorated with blue, was received with cheers and shrieking whistles. Men waved hats and flags, pretty girls fluttered handkerchiefs and pennants, squads of students gave the Yale cheer at intervals, and two scores of boats, crowded with students and friends, accompanied the boat that carried the victorious crew. The jubilant Yale men sang songs of victory and cheered till their throats ached and they were hoarse. On board the _Clyde_ were Jack Diamond and Harry Rattleton. When Merriwell was lifted to the deck he found himself clasped in Harry's arms, and the dear fellow laughed and cried as he hugged his roommate to his breast. "I never dought you'd threw it--I mean I never thought you'd do it!" cried Harry, brokenly. "I thought that hand would knock you out sure. How could you do it, Merry, old boy? It must have been awful! I saw you keel over when the line was crossed, but you never havered a ware--wavered a hair till the race was over." Frank smiled a bit. "A fellow can do almost anything if he sets his determination on it," he said. "But I came near not having the opportunity to try." "How was that?" "Collingwood found out about my hand. I am afraid you said something about it, Harry." "Not a word, save to Diamond, and not to him till after the race began." "Well, Coll found it out some way, and he came near laying me off for Flemming, who was on hand." "And now I understand a few things I heard this morning," broke in Diamond. "Emery and Parker were offering to bet that Flemming would row to-day." "How much did you fake 'em tor--I mean take 'em for?" cried Harry. "I didn't know but some of the men had given out or something, so I did not take them at all. I did not imagine for a moment that they thought Flemming was going to row in Merry's place." Collingwood came up. He was bundled from his ears to his heels. Merriwell was in a sweater and coat. "How's your hand, old man?" asked Bob, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, it is giving me a jolly time!" grinned Frank, grimly. "It isn't doing a thing."