A Sportsman at Large 65 



immature humanity that they could lay hands on, without 

 any respect for natural adaptability to the purpose toward. 



Consequently more than one of the clubs' higher boats 

 were encumbered by anaemic and neurasthenic " coxes," 

 who, as might have been foreseen, proved disastrous failures. 



It was known that I had had some little experience at the 

 game, so there was no doubt but that, had I been a couple of 

 stone lighter, I should not have been relegated to the lowly 

 Fifth boat. 



Now it so happened that an influx of very hefty freshmen 

 had occurred. Booth, who was captain of the Fifth, had a 

 fine eye for good material, however raw, and was a master 

 hand at knocking it into shape and polishing it. 



Our stroke was a charming chap, J. T. Penrose by name. 

 Both he and Booth were religionists of the strictest order, 

 but for all that, first class sportsmen and as keen as mustard. 



Ours was a heavy, powerful crew, and when it came to the 

 Lent races it became obvious that we were a bit more than 

 useful. 



Penrose rowed a long, sweeping stroke, and was well backed 

 up by No. 7 and the rest, so that we were full of beans and 

 hope. 



I had noticed how many coxes, during training, had 

 adopted the traditional method of handling the lines ; that is 

 to say, they held them behind their backs, with the palms of 

 the hand turned upward. 



This struck me as a foolish and fatuous thing to do. How, 

 in such fashion, could they possibly exercise that delicacy of 

 control, such as is necessary to edge a racing eight, going full 

 swing, around the acute corners of the Cam ? 



Another stupid trick they had was to jerk their bodies 

 forward at the finish of the stroke ; whereby, I felt con- 

 vinced, that the way of the boat must be disastrously 

 effected. 



Your Uncle Cockie had other ideas. He caused two round 

 pegs to be attached to his " strings," in such a position, that 

 when his elbows were pressed to his side these " holds " were 

 in much the same position as a jockey's hands on the rein 

 would be when racing. 



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