70 A Sportsman at Large 



Despite the severe race which my chaps had just had, they 

 were quite ready for the fray, and at gun fire hit the water 

 with a hefty punch. 



The job proved an easy one, for I made my bump in " The 

 Gut/' 



Each of the ensuing nights we scored one ; whereby we 

 put up the remarkable record of seven bumps in four nights. 

 I believe it has never been lowered. 



Some crew, believe me ! 



A propos neurasthenic coxswains, a good story is told of 

 one of the kidney, who, holding his watch in one hand, and 

 the " nut " of the hawser (which holds the boat to the shore 

 until the gun gives the departing signal) in the other, was 

 in a state of unholy terror. He counted " five four three 

 two one." Then, as the gun spoke, away went his watch 

 into the river ; whilst he stuffed the " nut " into his waistcoat 

 pocket. Of course, he was pulled out of the boat and got a 

 dreadful drenching ; whilst his unfortunate crew had to suffer 

 a bump ! 



