CHAPTER XXV
THE NEW SHELLS
"Say, aren't they beauts!"
"All to the cream!"
"Nothing like 'em ever seen on this river before!"
"And look at the eight! Isn't that a peach?"
"Easy there, Housenlager, that isn't a ferry-boat!" and Jerry Jacksonkept the big lad from stepping into the new eight-oared shell. The otherexclamations, as may easily be surmised, came from the college lads asthey gathered about the new float and boathouse, in front of which werethe new craft that had been put in the water that day. It was a week orso after the opening of Randall, and matters were shaping themselves upin some kind of order.
"Two fours, four singles, two doubles and the eight!" remarked Tom."Say, that committee of old grads certainly did themselves proud allright!"
"They sure did," agreed Sid.
"And this boathouse can't be beat!" added Phil, as he and the othersinspected the new structure.
"I only hope that same thing applies to our boats," remarked the BigCalifornian, grimly. "There'll be something coming to us if they can'tbe beaten."
"Let's get in and have a trial," suggested Sid. "Come, we've got enoughfor two eights--one crew in the old shell and one in the new. We'll findout if she's stiff enough."
"Better wait until Mr. Lighton gives the word," suggested Tom. "They'llwant to soak up a bit, anyhow, being new; and our weight might open upthe seams too much."
In fact the boats had only been in the water since that morning, acommittee of the rowing association superintending their removal fromthe freight station on trucks.
The letter announcing that they were on their way had been receivedsome little time before, and the advent of the rowing craft was eagerlywaited. Then had come a simple ceremony, when a committee of thepresenting graduates had formally turned over the boathouse and outfitto Randall College.
"Well, we'll have to organize soon, pick out a coxswain and captain, andarrange for hard training," said Tom.
"Yes, there isn't much time between now and the football season,"agreed Frank. "Boxer Hall and Fairview will want to wind up the rowinggame as early as they can. It's been a double drill for them, since theyraced in the Spring. Next Spring we'll get in the game with them."
"Here comes Mr. Lighton," suggested Sid. "Maybe he'll have something tosay," and he indicated the coach coming down toward the boathouse.
"Well, boys, how do you like them?" asked Mr. Lighton, as he indicatedthe new craft.
"Swell!"
"Peachy!"
"Pippy!"
These were only a sample of the many expressions of approval.
"I guess I'll slip in one of those singles and have a try at it,"remarked Boswell, starting for the dressing rooms to change into rowingcostume.
"No, don't, please--not just yet," said Mr. Lighton. "I want to lookthem over first, to see if there are any flaws. You can take out one ofthe old ones."
"Say, you don't seem to want me to do anything in the boating line!"exclaimed the rich lad. "You shifted me out of the eight, and now youdon't want me to practice in a single. I tell you I know something abouta boat--I've done as much work this Summer as those fellows," and heindicated Tom and his three chums.
"That's all right," responded Mr. Lighton, quietly. "I'm not denyingthat, but I want you to understand that I did not shift you out of theeight without good reason, and there is still time for you to try tomake good--even yet."
"No, I'm going to stick to the single--and I'm going to win!" snappedBoswell.
"Good--I hope you do," assented the coach. "Now, boys, we've got to gettogether, select a captain for the varsity, also the coxswain, as wellas officials, and rowers for the other boats. It won't do to go at thisslip-shod fashion. What do you say to a meeting to-night to select theofficials?"
"Good!" came the general cry, and then matters were talked over atlength. As far as arrangements with Boxer Hall and Fairview wereconcerned, they had been practically completed in the Spring. All thatremained was the selection of the day for the regatta, the marking ofthe course, the settlement of rules, which would be practically the sameas those governing Boxer Hall and Fairview, and the selecting of theofficials.
The other two colleges had very little to do to get ready for theraces, but Randall had considerable. However, under the guidance of Mr.Lighton, affairs soon shaped up.
There was some wire-pulling in regard to the election of a varsitycaptain, but the choice eventually fell upon Frank Simpson, who pulledstroke. It met with general approval, for all liked the Big Californian,and no one who had been tried at stroke did anywhere nearly as well asdid he. For coxswain the choice fell upon Jerry Jackson--in fact therewas no opposition, for many who might have liked to try for it, feltthat they were not equal to the responsibility. But Jerry seemed to fitin there naturally. He was just the right weight, Mr. Lighton said; hehad a certain delicacy, yet firmness, in steering, and he could usejudgment.
As for the singles, their disposition was simple. A number of ladssignified their desire to enter into a competition among themselves, thebest to be picked to meet Boxer Hall and Fairview contestants. Boswellwas to be one who would enter the elimination trials, and he acceptedthe responsibility with an air of confidence that caused much secretamusement, and no little disgust. Snail Looper also expressed a desireto try, as did a number of others.
In the doubles a number of new lads, with whom we are not immediatelyconcerned, entered, and as for the fours, some juniors and sophomores,together with a few freshmen, made up three combinations, the best oneof which was to meet the rivals.
"As for the eight," said Mr. Lighton, "which craft, in a measure willbe regarded as the main varsity boat, we now have two crafts--the oldone and the new. I suggest that there be elimination trials, and severalfriendly races between the two crews.
"In this way not only will you get practice, but you will haveexperience in pulling against another boat, which will stand you in goodstead.
"I have also to announce that Mr. Pierson, whom some of you know as theold Cornell oarsman, has kindly consented to help me in coaching you. Wewill draw up a set of training rules, and I expect every man to followthem faithfully. Otherwise there is no use in going into this thing.Remember the condition of this magnificent gift to Randall was that sheshould prove herself a victor."
"And she will!" cried Tom, while the others echoed his words.
There remained a few other preliminaries to arrange, and minor officialsto select, and then the meeting of the athletic committee ended.
"Oh, I say!" cried Phil, at the conclusion. "I wonder if it's too lateto go see the girls?"
"Guess not," agreed Tom. "I'm with you."
"Same here," echoed Frank and Phil, and they hurried to catch a trolleyfor Fairview Institute.
As they walked up the steps to the building where the young ladies werepermitted to receive visitors, they saw a lad standing there. Just asTom was about to ring the bell, the door opened, and a maid announced tothe waiting lad:
"Miss Clinton can see no one."
"She is out, do you mean?"
"I do not know. That was the message Miss Philock told me to give you."
"Oh, all right," and, turning so that the light from the hall shone onhis face, the countenance of Boswell was disclosed to our friends.
"Oh!" he exclaimed blankly, as he recognized them. Then looking at Tomhe added:
"Perhaps you'll have better luck than I did, Parsons!"
"Perhaps," admitted Tom, drily.