114 THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



although light, was dead aft, they sailed down to Whitlingham 

 before the racing-boats arrived there. There was a goodly num- 

 ber of spectators on the fair green meadow which lies between 

 the river and the wood, for the race had excited some interest. 

 The gay dresses of the ladies made the scene very lively and 

 pretty. Dick gallantly made it known that the yacht, which 

 they had moored by the winning-post, was at the service of the 

 ladies, and his offer was taken advantage of, and the Swan's 

 deck was soon crowded with the fair sex. 



The Norwich boat was the first to appear on the scene. On 

 they canie with a long swinging stroke on their way to the 

 starting-point. Nothing could be prettier to look at than their 

 style of going. The crew rowed a long stroke which had every 

 appearance of strength. They bent to and fro with the regu- 

 larity of machines. The oars were pulled well home to the 

 breast, the wrists dropped, and the oars feathered cleverly ; the 

 arms shot out, quickly followed by the body until the breast 

 came well between the wide-open knees, but there was just one 

 fault noticeable. The oars were put too gingerly into the 

 water. There was no 'grip.' The men looked as if their boat 

 were too light for them, and they were afraid of making her roll 

 by too great an exertion of force. The men, too, looked pale 

 and over-trained. 



A few minutes after they had passed, the boys came by with 

 a quick, lively stroke, such a quick dash in it, and a firm grip of 

 the water at the commencement of the stroke, that promised to 

 do them good service. They did not go nearly so smoothly 

 as their opponents ; nor was this to be wondered at, seeing the 

 change which had been effected so late in the day. 



Dick and Jimmy ran down the bank of the river to the 

 starting-point, accompanied by many more. 



And now the boats were side by side, waiting for the signal to 

 start As the wind was light there was not much drifting, and a 

 few strokes of the oars of bow and stroke kept them in position. 



Frank settled himself well on his seat, and waited for the word. 

 The starter said, " I shall ask if you are ready and then say Go ! " 



"Now mind," said Marston, "one short stroke to get her 

 away, and then row with all your might to get her ahead." 



" Are you ready ? " 



Frank grasped his oar firmly, and drew in his breath. 



Go /" 



