Hardie, delighted, gave his whole mind to his movement, ceasing to steal side-glances at his blade, and watching Wilmot’s back more closely. The oar was beginning to catch spontaneously and hard, his slide to return naturally with the motion of the boat. The pair-oar continued upstream to the edge of Soldiers’ Field, then turned and retraced its course,—a three-mile row,—but Roger felt no weariness. The relief from the awkward strain which he had been putting upon himself made the work seem like a rest. Just above the Harvard bridge they met the first boat, which stopped to enable the captain to watch them, and Pete sang out something which could not be heard. Later when they were all dressing in the boat-house, Coolidge asked what this message was. “Oh, nothing of importance,” answered Talbot. “I only said that bow was doing well.” “It seems to me of importance,” said Roger, whose face glowed with joy. “That’s more than you’ve said so far this year.” “I’ve been thinking lately that I might never be able to say it at all,” said Talbot. Meantime on the ball field things were going badly for Westcott’s. Dunn reconsidered his resolution and went out to give the batters practice and play general helper, but he couldn’t make Ben Tracy a good pitcher or Stover a forceful captain. The school appreciated Dunn’s efforts and thought better of him for them. Jason was studying, too, though with no very startling classroom results. He had a tutor for an hour every afternoon, and he often worked the whole evening in Hardie’s room. “I’m almost glad that I couldn’t play on that nine,” he said one evening as he brought in his books; “they’re a terribly poor lot, and Stover doesn’t get anything out of ’em. Think of Newbury beating them twelve to two the other day!” “They may brace up near the second game,” suggested Roger. Dunn shook his head; “No, they won’t. It isn’t in ’em. Did you see Smithy leading the cheering at the game? He was wild to beat!’ “If they can win the baseball and the crew now, they can get along without the football.” “Oh, they won’t win the crew,” declared Dunn, “we’ll have ’em there.” “Lanning says they’re going to,” said Roger. “He coaches Newbury.” Dunn considered a moment. “I don’t see how Pitkin can be strong enough to row a hard race. He’s bow on the first, isn’t he?” “Yes, and he rows well, too.” “You ought to be there. You could stand the pace.” Roger laughed. “I can’t even make the second. A little while ago Wilmot wanted to kick me off the pair-oar.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER XXI THE SECOND CREW