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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-31 11:21:15 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-31 11:21:15 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/75261-0.txt b/75261-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..02abceb --- /dev/null +++ b/75261-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6887 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75261 *** + + + + + + FRANK AND ANDY AT BOARDING SCHOOL + + OR + + RIVALS FOR MANY HONORS + + BY VANCE BARNUM + + AUTHOR OF "FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT," "FRANK AND ANDY IN A + WINTER CAMP," "THE JOE STRONG SERIES." + + WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. + RACINE, WISCONSIN + + + + + FRANK AND ANDY AT BOARDING SCHOOL + + + + + CHAPTER I + + IN TROUBLE + + +"We ought to be there pretty soon now; eh Frank?" + +"Yes; the captain said it wasn't a very long trip, and we've been on +this boat quite a while." + +"I wonder what Riverview Hall looks like--what sort of a school it is?" +and Andy Racer glanced at his older brother as they paced the deck of a +river steamer that was plowing its way up a pleasant stream. + +"I don't know, Andy," and Frank Racer seemed a bit puzzled. "It must be +a good school, or dad and mother wouldn't have picked it out for us." + +"Yet neither one of them saw the place before they decided on it," +objected Andy with a smile on his pleasant face. + +"Except that mother knew Dr. Wesley Doolittle, the principal, and she +thought we needed to go to some quiet place, after the lively times we +had this summer." + +"Smoked lobsters!" exclaimed Andy. "I hope it's not _too_ quiet. +I want to have some fun when I go off to boarding school. Say, Frank, +see that man sleeping over there by the smokestack?" and the lad +motioned in the direction. + +"Yes, I see him. What of it?" + +"I've got one of those rubber spiders in my pocket. You know, the kind +that you dangle on a string. I'll sneak up behind him, and hold it over +his head. Then you make a loud noise and he'll wake up. He'll have a +fit when he sees a big bug about to fall on him. Come ahead," and Andy, +who was always on the alert for fun or a joke, started toward the man. + +"No, you don't!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "I've gotten into enough +trouble with you and your jokes since we started from New York. You +wait until you get to school before you try any more funny business. +Have you forgotten how the lobster you wanted to nip Chet Sedley nipped +you?" + +"Wow! I should say not. But this trip is getting slow. I wish something +would happen. Come on, let's go on the upper deck where we can see +better. We may sight Riverview Hall." + +"Oh, we'll see enough of that before we get through with it. But, Andy, +I'm as anxious as you are to know what kind of a place it is, and I +won't be sorry when we locate it. Come on; walking about is more fun +than standing still." + +The two boys, Frank Racer, aged about fifteen and his brother Andy, a +year younger, who were on their way to boarding school for the first +time in their lives, walked away together. + +They had left their home in New York city early that morning, and after +traveling some distance by train had boarded the steamer that was to +take them to Riverview Hall, an institution of learning located on +Halcyon river in the western part of New York state. + +The boat was making fair time up the stream, which was a good sized +one, and quite broad. As the craft made a turn, giving a good view +for some distance up the river, Andy, who had taken a position well +forward, on the upper deck, uttered a cry. + +"See, Frank!" he exclaimed, catching his brother by the arm. "There's +some sort of an academy or college, right on that point of land about +a mile up. That's a dandy location. And say, it's a big school, too. +There'd be lots of chance to have fun on the water there. I'll bet they +have rowing races. Crackey! we'll have some sport!" and Andy began +capering about on the deck. + +Frank looked interested and gazed at the big, and evidently new +college, or school, which they were rapidly approaching. + +"If that's Riverview Hall," he said, "it's all right, and a better +place than I expected. That doesn't look like a nice, quiet school +though, such as mother thought she was picking out. But I'm going to +ask some one." + +"Oh, that's Riverview all right," Andy insisted. But Frank had turned +aside, and was speaking to a gentleman who had approached the lads. + +"Can you tell me, sir," asked the older lad, "if that is Riverview +Hall? We expect to attend school there." + +The gentleman looked to where Frank pointed. + +"That," he replied with a smile, "is Waterside Hall. It is one of the +best schools in this part of the country. It is not so very old, but +there are more students than it can accommodate. It's a fine place. I +have a boy going there," and he seemed very proud of the fact. + +For a moment Andy and Frank were a little bit too disappointed to +speak. Then Andy asked: + +"Isn't Riverview Hall somewhere about here?" + +"Oh, yes, about five miles farther up the river." + +"Is that anything like--I mean what sort of a place is it?" and Frank +anxiously waited for the reply. + +The gentleman looked critically at the two lads. + +"Riverview Hall," he said slowly, "well, it was a good school once, +but now--" he paused and shrugged his shoulders. "It's old and out of +date," he went on. "In fact it is fast losing what little prestige it +had. It isn't to be compared with Waterside Hall. Now _that_ is +a school to be proud of!" and he waved his hand toward the group of +buildings, surrounded by a green campus that came to the river's edge. +The boat was just opposite it now. + +"But Riverview Hall," the man added, "I wouldn't let a son of mine go +there, and I wouldn't advise any one to go who wanted to be at a real, +live, up-to-date school," and then, evidently forgetting that our +heroes had remarked that they expected to attend Riverview Hall, the +gentleman turned aside, unconscious of having said anything to cause +the lads uneasiness. + +Andy and Frank continued to gaze regretfully at the big new school +they were passing. They could see groups of students--early term +arrivals--running about, while another group of lads were just putting +into the water a fine eight-oared shell. + +"Did you hear what he said, Frank?" asked Andy in a low voice. + +"Sure. I couldn't very well help it." + +"Riverview Hall old and out-of-date," murmured Andy slowly. + +"He wouldn't let a son of his go there," added Frank. + +"And we're going as fast as the boat can take us," went on his younger +brother with something like a groan. "Say, we're in for it now, for +keeps! And see what we're missing." He waved his hand toward Waterside, +which they were now leaving behind. "Why didn't dad and mother pick out +that place for us?" he asked. + +"Give it up," replied Frank. "It's too late now." + +Almost despondent over the reputation that had been so unexpectedly +given their prospective school, and yet hoping against hope that it +might not turn out as badly as they expected, the lads went to a lower +deck. + +"Maybe that man didn't know what he was talking about," suggested Andy, +when they had reached a quiet corner, just outside one of the small +cabins. + +"I'm afraid he did," said Frank. "He said he had a son going to +Waterside, so he must live around here and he's probably acquainted. +Well, we've got to make the best of it. I guess--" + +But Frank did not finish what he was going to say. His words were +interrupted by hearing a voice, evidently raised in anger, as this +exclamation was audible: + +"Well, I'll tell you one thing, Miss! That money has got to be paid, +and that's all there is about it! If your mother can't pay it, then I +look to you. I want my rights!" and there came a sound of a fist being +banged down most emphatically on woodwork. + +"Oh, sir! Can't you wait a little longer? You know we would pay you +if we could. But we can't raise any cash on those securities, as we +expected, or we--" + +"That will do now, young lady. I've listened to enough excuses. I want +my money, and if I don't get it I'll take means that you and your +mother won't like. Do you hear me?" + +Once more the fist was banged down. It was followed by a sound +indicating unmistakably that a girl was sobbing. Andy and Frank looked +at each other. Then they gazed in through the cabin door, near which +they were standing, and saw a very pretty girl, about fourteen years of +age, confronted by a tall, grizzled man, wearing a rusty black suit and +a black string tie fastened around an old-fashioned collar. The man's +countenance was in keeping with his clothes. He was smooth shaven, but +his face was full of wrinkles. There were hard lines about his mouth, +the corners of which were drawn down, while his eyes, which peered out +from behind large spectacles, had shaggy, overhanging brows. + +"Nice looking chap--not," murmured Andy. + +"Hush!" whispered Frank. "Come away, it's none of our affair." + +But, before they could move, the girl burst into such a fit of crying +that the sympathies of both lads were aroused. The man and the girl +were the only occupants of the cabin, and there was no one else near +on the outside deck save Andy and Frank. The girl continued to sob +pitifully, her face covered with her hands. + +The man took her roughly by the arm. The girl raised her tear-stained +face and indignantly pulled herself away. The man took a step toward +her and the girl's face grew white with fear. She seemed about to +scream. + +"I can't stand this!" murmured Frank to Andy. "I'm going to help her in +her trouble, whether it's our business or not." + +"And I'm with you!" exclaimed Andy. + +Frank stepped into the little cabin. The two occupants of it were too +excited to notice him for a moment. Then the Racer lad said: + +"Excuse me, Miss, but I see you are in trouble. Can I help you in any +way? My brother and I would be very glad to. Is there anything we can +do?" + +The girl looked at the two lads gratefully, though in some surprise. +There was a look of anger on the face of the crabbed man. + +"I--I thank you very much," said the girl in a low voice. "I think that +Mr. Callum forgot himself for a moment. He will not be guilty of such +conduct again." She looked at him fearlessly. "It is very kind of +you," she went on, addressing the lads, "but there is nothing you can +do, thank you so much, though." She smiled through her tears; smiled at +Frank, so Andy said afterward. "Mr. Callum will not annoy me again." + +This seemed to be too much for the crabbed old man. + +"Look here!" he cried in anger, addressing Frank and Andy. "What right +have you got to interfere with me? This is none of your business." + +"It's the business of every gentleman when a lady is in distress to try +to help her," replied Frank quickly. + +"Well, you mind your own affairs and let mine alone!" snarled the +man. "I can attend to my own business. I'll settle matters with this +young lady and perhaps in a manner she doesn't like. As for you young +fellows, take my advice and don't interfere with me. I won't stand it! +I tell you I won't stand it!" + +He smote the palm of one hand with the fist of the other and fairly +glared at the boys. Frank returned his gaze fearlessly. + +"Now you mind that!" went on the man. "I don't want you interfering in +my affairs, or you'll wish you hadn't. As for you, Miss Morton--I'll +see you or your mother again," and with that the unpleasant personage +turned on his heel and strode out of the cabin door, casting a look +full of meanness at our heroes. + +The girl and the two boys stood facing each other in the little cabin. + +"It was very kind of you," she murmured, looking at Frank, and blushing +slightly. + +"Are you sure there is nothing we can do to help you?" eagerly asked +the elder Racer lad. The girl was fast recovering her composure, and +the traces of tears were vanishing. + +"No, thank you," she said gently. "It's just some trouble about money +matters that I hope will soon be straightened out. I did not know he +was aboard or I would not have come by this boat." + +"Well, if there is anything we can do, please let us know," went on the +elder lad. "My name is Frank Racer, and this is my brother Andy." + +"I am Miss Gertrude Morton, of Dailsburg," said the girl as she shook +hands with the boys. "I can't thank you enough for what you did. I +don't suppose he meant any real harm, but he frightened me." + +"The brute!" murmured Frank, clenching his fists as he looked at Miss +Gertrude's pretty face. + +"Do you boys live around here?" she asked, after a pause. "I live just +a few miles up the river, not far from Riverview Hall." + +"Is that so?" exclaimed Frank--very eagerly Andy thought. "We are +going to school there. We're on our way now." + +The girl looked very much surprised. + +"By the way, who was that man who spoke so harshly?" asked Andy. + +"Why, don't you know him?" inquired Miss Morton. "If you--but you say +you are just going to Riverview Hall. Then you will soon make his +acquaintance, for he is Professor Thorndyke Callum, the head assistant +at Riverview." + +For a moment amazement held Frank and Andy dumb. Then the older lad +exclaimed: + +"Great Scott! Head assistant at Riverview! What are we up against? +He'll have it in for us after what we did." + +The girl looked half alarmed and half amused as she bowed to the boys +and left the cabin. Andy and Frank stood staring at one another. + +"We sure are up against it!" murmured the younger lad at length. "A +punk school to start with, and in bad with the head professor from the +very beginning! Wow! Wow! What are we going to do, Frank?" + + + + + CHAPTER II + + THE WRECK OF THE BED + + +Andy's question was not answered immediately. He and Frank were busily +engaged in thinking. The scene through which they had just passed +with Professor Callum and Miss Gertrude Morton, and the surprising +announcement of the man who had told them about Riverview Hall gave +them plenty about which to reflect. + +And I shall have no better opportunity than this of telling you a +little more about the two lads, for they are seldom quiet long enough +at a time to enable one to get an idea of their characters. They are +always on the go, Andy especially, for he never misses a chance to have +some fun or play a joke. + +Frank and Andy Racer were fine fellows. They were the sons of Mr. +Richard Racer, and his wife, Olivia. Mr. Racer was a wholesale silk +merchant, in business in New York, where his winter home was located. +His summer residence was at Harbor View, a coast resort about thirty +miles from the metropolis. + +There, as told in the first volume of this series, entitled "Frank and +Andy Afloat" the boys had many adventures. They were out rowing one day +when a whale attacked them. Andy's boat was hit, but his brother saved +him. Later they went for a sail, and discovered a wrecked motor boat, +containing an injured lad. + +They saved him, but the lad had passed through such danger that he lost +his memory and did not know who he was. The boys gave themselves up +to solving the mystery of his identity and to learn the secret of the +motor craft. + +How they succeeded, how they were in danger from the man who sought to +injure Paul, which they learned was the name of the mysterious lad, how +they foiled the schemes of the villain and how, after being cast away +on a desolate island they were finally rescued--all this you will find +set down in the first book. + +The Racer boys were so active, and ran into so much danger, though with +the best intentions in the world, that their parents did not know what +to do with them. After a consultation Mr. and Mrs. Racer decided to +send the lads to a boarding school, hoping this would tame their lively +spirits. + +For this purpose Mrs. Racer selected Riverview Hall. She had never +seen the place, but she had heard of Dr. Wesley Doolittle, the head +of the school, who had a fine reputation as a scholar, whatever were +his shortcomings as a financial manager. One of Mrs. Racer's clubwomen +friends had sent her son to the school some years before, when the lad +had decided to enter the ministry, and this lady spoke so highly of the +classical atmosphere at Riverview that Mrs. Racer thought it would be +just the place for Andy and Frank. + +"They will quiet down," she told her husband. "It will be the very +thing for them." + +"It may be _too_ quiet," objected the silk merchant. "You know +boys have to have _some_ fun and--er--excitement." + +"Excitement! I should say they had enough in getting that horrid whale +ashore. But I've no doubt that Andy and Frank will have a good time at +Riverview Hall. They can make amusements for themselves." + +"Yes, I guess they can," answered Mr. Racer with the trace of a smile. + +So it had come about that, on their return to their New York home, +preparations were made to send our heroes to boarding school. Neither +Mr. nor Mrs. Racer had time to visit the place of learning, the +arrangements being concluded by letters. There was no question about +the reputation of the school as far as learning was concerned. The boys +would also be assured of proper care and good food. That was as far as +the parents went. + +Now we shall see what sort of a place it was to which Frank and Andy +Racer were consigned. + +"Couldn't be much worse; could it?" asked Andy after a pause. + +"It sounds pretty dubious," admitted Frank, with a shake of his head. + +They hurried out of the cabin, where they had remained after Miss +Gertrude Morton had left them. They found the steamer approaching a +wharf at a small town. There was no sign of a school. + +"Good-bye!" a voice called to them, and they looked to see the pretty +girl going ashore. + +"This must be Dailsburg--where she lives," said Frank. + +"Yes, this is Dailsburg," spoke a gentleman standing near them. +"Riverview is the next stop." + +They thanked him, and waved to Miss Gertrude. She was the only +passenger to go ashore and the steamer was soon on its way again. The +boys saw nothing of Mr. Callum. + +"We'd better get our baggage together, if the next stop is ours," +suggested Frank to his brother. Then he and Andy became busy. They +were on deck as the boat approached the dock of Riverview, a town of +considerable size. Eagerly they looked about for a sign of the school. + +"I wonder where it can be?" asked Frank. "Gee whizz! I hope it isn't +back in the woods. I was thinking it might be on the river shore, so +we could go boating." + +"Same here," put in Andy. "Let's ask some one." + +From a deckhand they learned that their boarding school was about a +quarter of a mile from the pier where the steamer had stopped. + +"And is it on the river?" asked Andy. + +"Yes, right on the shore," replied the deckhand. "You just keep along +the water road and you'll come to it." + +"Good!" cried Frank. "Then we can have some rowing races. I hope they +have a good crew at Riverview." + +The deckhand looked at the lads; and a smile came over his tanned +face. He seemed about to say something, but was called away. The boys +quickly made arrangements about having their trunks put off, and then, +each carrying a suit case, they walked down the gangplank. They had a +glimpse of Professor Callum gathering his baggage together ready to go +ashore. + +"Well, we're here," said Frank, as they started off up the river road, +as directed. It ran close to the water's edge, and was a fine highway. +Halcyon river, in fact, was an important stream, and was beautiful, for +it had not been polluted by factory waste or refuse. + +"Yes, we're here," admitted Andy, and he seemed down-hearted. "I +wonder what sort of a place it is. Funny there is no carriage to take +us." + +In silence they tramped on. Each step they took nearer to the school +appeared to make them more gloomy, though they could not tell why. The +place seemed very silent and deserted for the vicinity of a boarding +school attended by up-to-date boys. There were no lively groups of +students to be seen, and the river was deserted of rowing craft from +the institution. + +As they made a turn of the road, Riverview Hall came into their line +of vision. The school buildings were situated on a large hill, which +gave a fine view of the water. All about the structures were extensive +grounds, extending down to the edge of the stream. + +"There she is!" exclaimed Frank, coming to a halt. + +"Yes, it's a big enough place," admitted Andy, "but--" + +He did not finish. He saw, as did his brother, that there was something +the matter. The buildings though substantially built seemed greatly +in need of attention. There was an air about them as if they were +neglected and were destined to go to ruin. + +The campus was littered with paper and the grass had not been cut in +some time. There was an air of desolation about the place. Now that +they were near enough the brothers could make out groups of students +strolling about, but there seemed to be no life in them. They were +not playing ball, running, leaping or doing any of the things dear to +boyish hearts. + +"Say, what's the matter with this place, anyhow?" suddenly asked Andy. +"Is it hoodooed?" + +"Give it up," answered Frank. "Come on, I see a boathouse. Maybe it +isn't so bad after all. We can join the crew." + +Their hearts fell at the sight of the boathouse. The roof needed +shingling, and the structure would have been much improved by a coat of +paint. Then, as they moved around to the other side of it they saw a +big hole in the roof. + +"Say, that will leak like a sieve," remarked Andy. + +"Yes, and I don't see any boats," added Frank gloomily. + +The two boys strolled down to the water's edge. + +"Here are some barges," called Frank. "But great Scott! Look at 'em! It +would be as much as your life was worth to go out in 'em. They'd sink +in ten minutes. Oh, this is fierce!" + +Despondently, and more and more impressed with the desolation of +the place, the Racer boys walked on toward the main group of school +buildings. + +"There's a fine diamond--if it was put in shape," said Frank, +motioning toward the ball field. + +"Yes, but look at it!" exclaimed his brother. "It's all overgrown with +grass, and you can't tell third base from home plate. It hasn't been +used at all lately. What's the matter with the fellows here, I wonder?" + +Frank shook his head. He did not know what to say. + +There was a murmur of voices on the other side of a neglected hedge, +much in want of trimming, which bordered a walk that led up to the main +building. As Andy and Frank entered the opening in the natural fence +they came face to face with a group of lads, evidently students. Frank +addressed them. + +"Is this Riverview Hall?" he asked, hoping he might be mistaken. + +"Yes--this is the place--what's left of it," replied a tall lad, in the +centre of the group. He spoke listlessly. + +"We're newcomers," added Andy. "We've just come, but--er--that is--" + +He stopped in some confusion. + +"It seems as if there was something the matter with the place," broke +in Frank. "What's the trouble? Has the school been closed suddenly for +some reason?" He almost hoped it had. + +"Oh, no, school's going on," replied another lad, indifferently +chewing on a blade of grass. "The term has just opened. But it's this +way always--no fun here. I wish I didn't have to come, but dad thinks +it's all right." + +"Why--what is the matter?" insisted the elder Racer lad. + +"Oh, you'll find out soon enough, if you stay," was the significant +answer. "Won't he, fellows?" + +"Sure!" came in a chorus, but even that was given with no enthusiasm. + +"Well, I guess we've got to stay," said Frank. "Can you tell us where +to find Dr. Doolittle?" + +"Here he comes now," answered one lad, motioning to the somewhat bent +figure of an elderly gentleman approaching. He had one book under his +arm, and was reading another as he walked along. Andy and Frank were +struck by a peculiar pathos about the head of the school. He looked to +be a fine scholar, but there seemed to be something worrying him. They +were sure of this a little later as they approached closer to speak +to him. Dr. Doolittle appeared to be struggling with some difficult, +problem that he had tried in vain to solve for a long time. + +He caught sight of our heroes, and a kindly smile came over his face. + +"We are the Racer boys, Dr. Doolittle," said Frank, "and we--" + +"Oh, yes, glad to see you back," said the doctor kindly. "You did very +well last term. I suppose you are ready to resume your studies and--" + +"We weren't here last term," interrupted Frank. "We have just come, and +we'd like to know where our rooms are." + +"Oh, yes! To be sure! I remember now. Your father wrote me about you. +Hum! Yes. I hope you will like it here. We think we have a very fine +school." + +"You've got another think coming," whispered Andy. + +"Well, I am glad to have met you," went on the principal. "I shall see +you again. Very glad, hum!" He opened his book, and was about to pass +on. + +"But about our rooms," insisted Frank gently. "We don't know where to +go." + +"Why, take the same rooms you had last year," said Dr. Doolittle, in +evident surprise at the question. "Yes, the same rooms. Hum!" + +Once more he was about to turn away. + +"But we weren't here last year!" exclaimed Andy. + +"Oh, no. You're right. So you weren't. I remember now. I knew there was +something about you that I was trying to recall. Well, just go up to +the main dormitory, and report to the housekeeper, Mrs. Stone. She will +assign you to rooms. I am very glad to have met you. Hum! Yes! I hope +you will like it here. We have a very fine school," and this time the +doctor succeeded in getting away. He was deep in his book once more. + +"I think he must be a bit absent-minded," said Frank. + +"You _think_ it!" exclaimed Andy. "I _know_ it. He's a nice +old man all right, but--a 'fine school'! Wow! This is the limit, and +there may be worse to come. Let's go see Mrs. Stone. I hope she's not +as hard as her name. But I don't know as there's any hurry. There +doesn't appear to be any great rush for the sleeping quarters." + +There were several groups of students in view now, but none of them +seemed to be in any hurry. In fact there was a listlessness about the +whole school that boded no good. + +"Well, come on, anyhow," suggested Frank. "We want to get settled and +then look about. I hope they have plenty for supper. I'm half starved." + +"Same here. Gee! But this is a lonesome place!" + +"Maybe they're not all here yet," put in his brother. + +"Let us hope so. This looks like the main dormitory. Let's go in." + +They found Mrs. Stone a pleasant faced matron, who welcomed them +kindly and made them feel at home. + +"Let me see!" she exclaimed in a thoughtful manner. "I don't know just +where to put you yet. The rooms have not all been assigned. I have +tried to talk to Dr. Doolittle about it, but every time I approach him +he seems to be thinking of something else. But I know what I can do. +I'll give you a temporary room for to-night, and to-morrow we'll settle +the matter. Come this way." + +She led them up a flight of stairs and down a long corridor. Frank and +Andy noted that however neglected the outside of the place was, the +interior was clean and neat, though it was badly in need of repairs. +Evidently Mrs. Stone was an energetic housekeeper, doing the best she +could under the circumstances. + +"There, this will have to do for the present," she said, as she threw +open the door of a room. "Perhaps I can find a better apartment for you +to-morrow. Supper is served at six o'clock. The warning bell rings a +quarter of an hour before that. All the boys dine together in the main +hall. You will sit at the freshman table." + +"How will we know which it is?" asked Andy. + +"Oh, some of the students will show you. Now I must leave you. I think +you will find all that you need. If not, let me know." + +The boys gazed at each other, and then around the room. It was not a +very inviting place. The wall paper was old and dingy, but it seemed +clean. There were no ornaments in the apartment, and the beds, of which +there were two, were old, as were the washstands and bureaus. + +"Well, I guess we can stand it, but it's going to be quite a struggle," +said Frank with a sigh. + +"Dad and mother never knew what sort of a place this is or they'd never +have sent us here," was Andy's opinion. "It may be all right for Greek, +Latin and mathematics, but a fellow can't live on them. It's going to +be punk here for fun, I'm afraid." + +Frank crossed over and looked out of the window. He heard a movement +from his brother. + +"Gee whizz! I've got to do something or bust!" cried the younger lad. +"Here goes for a handspring on the bed! Wow!" + +He gave a little run and a jump. Then he landed in the middle of the +bed on his hands. + +Down into the mattress he sank with his feet wiggling in the air. +Then there came a mighty crash. The bed collapsed under the weight +and sudden impact of the sturdy youth, and a moment later he came to +the floor amid a confusion of pillows, sheets, springs, mattress and +the wrecked bed, while the racket echoed and re-echoed throughout the +corridor of the dormitory. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + "I'LL STICK IT OUT!" + + +"Are you hurt, Andy? How did it happen?" cried Frank, turning from the +window and hurrying to the wreck of the bed, in which his brother was +still entangled. + +"No, I'm not hurt; of course not. How could a fellow get hurt falling +in a soft bed?" + +"But what happened?" asked Frank. + +"Great Scott! How do I know? I just gave a spring on here, and--" + +"Your spring was too much for the bed spring, I suppose," remarked +Frank, laughing when he saw that Andy was all right. "Here, give me +your hand, and I'll pull you out." + +With his brother's help the younger lad was soon on his feet again. +Ruefully he surveyed the tangle of bed and bed clothes. + +"Say, this is like a lot of other things around this school," remarked +Andy. "It's got the dry rot. I never thought a bed wouldn't stand at +least one handspring. Why the side pieces have cracked right in the +middle." He bent over to look at the wrecked bed, which was one of the +old-fashioned, wooden kind. + +"You sure have put it out of commission," said Frank. "And what a +racket you made! They must have heard it out on the campus. It's a +wonder Mrs. Stone hasn't come up to know if we're trying to tear down +the dormitory." + +"Well, I didn't mean to do it," returned Andy, which was his usual +excuse when any of his jokes or tricks went wrong. "I was just trying +to see--" + +He was interrupted by hearing some one hurrying along the corridor. +Then came an imperative knock at their door. + +"Who is in there?" demanded a sharp voice. + +"We--we are," answered Andy, while he helped Frank to pick up the +scattered clothes. + +The portal swung open, disclosing to the lads the form and features of +Professor Thorndyke Callum. There was a stern look on his face, and he +fairly glared at them through his big glasses. + +"What does this mean?" he asked. "I return to my duties at this school, +and I am in my room, getting ready to take charge of my classes when I +am disturbed by a disgraceful noise under me. What does it mean? How +did it happen? Did you come here to repair the beds of the institution?" + +"No sir, we are students here," explained Frank. "We have just +arrived. My brother was trying the bed, and--" + +"It broke!" interrupted Andy with just the trace of a smile on his +mischievous face. "I--I guess I must have come down on it too hard." + +"What! You students here? It's a disgrace!" burst out the professor. "I +shall at once report you to Dr. Doolittle, and he--" + +By this time Mr. Callum had advanced farther into the room. Frank and +Andy had been standing with their backs to the light so that their +faces were in a shadow. Now the professor could see them plainly. He +stopped suddenly on recognizing in them the lads who had interfered +with him on the boat. His face at once became more stern and forbidding. + +"You boys students here?" he exclaimed as if not believing it. + +"Yes--yes, sir," answered Andy ruefully. + +"And aren't you the same lads who so unwarrantedly meddled with what +did not concern you between myself and Miss Morton this afternoon?" + +"Yes, but we didn't think--" began Frank. + +"Silence! That is enough!" burst out the crabbed man. "You can not turn +Riverview Hall into an institution such as are some of the disgraceful +colleges. Such conduct will not be tolerated here! I repeat, young +men, such conduct will meet with the severest punishment here! I have +no doubt but that some silly prank was responsible for this. I shall +report you to Dr. Doolittle. And so you are students here! Humph! We +shall see!" and with a significant look on his face the unpleasant +professor withdrew. + +"Well, if that isn't the limit!" exclaimed Frank. + +"Worse and more of it," agreed Andy. "I wonder where I am going to +sleep to-night?" + +His question was answered a moment later by the entrance of Mrs. Stone, +the housekeeper. She threw up her hands when, on looking in through the +open door, she saw the wrecked bed. + +"Oh, I've been afraid something like this would happen!" she exclaimed. +"None of the beds are strong enough for two big boys to sit on at once." + +"But we didn't do that," explained Andy. "I--I er--sort of came down +heavy on it, and--" + +"Yes, I heard the crash," said the matron with a smile. "I came as fast +as I could." + +"Professor Callum was just here, and he is going to report us to the +doctor," said Frank. + +"Well, don't worry," advised the matron. "I will explain matters to +him. I have told him that some of the beds are too old to use, but he +doesn't seem to pay any attention to me. It's like many other things +around here." + +"Say, what _is_ the matter at Riverview, Mrs. Stone?" asked Andy +eagerly. "There's something wrong; isn't there?" + +"Wrong? No, nothing wrong!" replied the housekeeper. "Useless you call +a lack of money wrong. Dr. Doolittle hasn't enough funds back of his +institution, that's all. But please don't ask me any questions. Now +I will have to transfer you to another room, or bring another bed in +here. I guess the first is easier." + +Asking the boys to follow her she led them to another apartment farther +down the corridor. Andy was glad she did not ask for particulars about +how he came to "come down sort of heavy" on the bed. + +"There, I think these beds are better," she said, as she left them. +Andy approached one. + +"Here, what are you going to do?" asked Frank quickly. "No more +monkey-shine business." + +"I wasn't going to," answered Andy indignantly. "I just wanted to lay +my finger on one and see if it would stand up." + +"Which--the bed or your finger?" asked Frank. + +"Both. Yes, it's all right," spoke the younger lad as he gently, and +with an exercise of studious and elaborate care, pressed on the middle +of the bed. "I think we can sleep in it. Let's get out some of our +older togs and go outside to see what some of the fellows look like. +I'm afraid we're not going to like this place." + +They donned garments in which they felt more at home, and soon were +strolling over the overgrown neglected campus. They met a number +of lads and soon struck up an acquaintance with them. To one in +particular, Jack Sanderson, they took quite a notion. He was an +athletic looking lad, and they learned that he was as fond of water +sports as they were. + +"You say you've been here two years," remarked Frank to Jack, after a +while, during which they had been strolling about, "then what ails this +place, anyhow? Why isn't the baseball diamond and the football gridiron +kept in better shape? What's the matter with the boathouse? Why isn't +the campus kept better?" + +"That's a heap of questions," said Jack. "I guess Flopps, the gardener, +is so busy that he hasn't had time to cut the grass, but, as for the +others, there are two reasons. One is that the fellows don't seem to +take any interest in sports, and the other is that Dr. Doolittle has +about all he can do to make both of his money ends meet. He hasn't any +to spare on diamonds or gridirons. That's why." + +"But why don't the fellows get together and do something?" Andy wanted +to know. + +"It wants someone to wake them up," Jack said. "I tried it, but I +couldn't do anything. The football team fizzled out, and so did the +baseball nine. Oh, this is a tough place! I wish dad would let me go +to a live college. But it seems he knew Dr. Doolittle years ago, and +he thinks he's a great scholar. And so he is!" went on Jack eagerly. +"There isn't a better teacher anywhere than he, but some of the other +teachers are fierce!" + +"How about Professor Callum?" asked Frank. + +"What! Old Thorny? He's the limit. Don't get in his bad books if you +can help it." + +"I guess we're there already," said Andy softly. + +"Come on over this way," said Jack suddenly, as he linked his arms +in those of the Racer boys. They noted that two other lads were +approaching. + +"Why, what's the matter?" asked Andy. "Don't you want to meet those +fellows?" for Jack had turned aside. + +"No," answered their new chum. + +"Why not?" Frank wanted to know. + +"Oh, that tall one is Gerald Welter, and he thinks he's the cock of the +walk. He's a sort of leader among a certain crowd here, and he's always +trying to pick a quarrel. I always keep out of his way." + +"Who's with him?" inquired Andy. + +"That's Luke Moss, his particular crony, and Luke is about as bad as +Gerald. They'll get in a fight with you if they can. They always do +with new fellows." + +"Well, I don't know as I'd mind much," replied Frank, looking +critically at Gerald as the latter swaggered past. + +"Oh, you don't want to do that!" exclaimed Jack in some alarm. "He's a +hard hitter and a great scrapper." + +"Well, I'm something of a hard hitter myself," calmly said Frank. "I'm +not looking for a fight, but I'm not going to run away from any fellow +here. If I've got to fight I'll do it." + +"And so will I!" exclaimed Andy. + +The boys walked on a little farther until the sound of a bell was borne +to them across the campus. + +"Supper!" cried Jack. "Come on, Frank and Andy. You'll have to sit at +the freshman table, but that's close to mine. I'll show you the way." + +The food was fairly good, though as Frank and Andy said afterward, +there might have been more of it. Following the meal they joined Jack, +who introduced them to Ward Platt, his chum, who seemed a nice sort of +chap. + +"We'll stroll about a bit," said Jack, "and then I have to go in and do +some studying. Where are you fellows sleeping?" + +Andy named their room number. + +"That's just around the corner of the corridor from mine," spoke Jack. +"I'll try to sneak in and see you after I get through boning away. So +long." + +Neither Frank nor Andy thought it wise to speak about the broken bed +yet. They wanted to await developments. As they started for their room +they were met at the entrance of the dormitory by Professor Callum. + +"Humph! So you are quartered here!" he exclaimed, eyeing them with no +friendly glance. "Well, I want to warn you that I will tolerate no +nonsense in this building. I am in charge. No nonsense, mind! I am now +going to report you to Dr. Doolittle." + +Frank and Andy walked on in silence for a moment. + +"I guess he's going to make trouble for us, if he can," observed the +older lad at length. + +"It seems so," agreed Andy. His voice was despondent. They reached +their room and lighted the gas. It burned dimly for the tips were +old fashioned. "Say, this is the limit!" exclaimed the younger lad. +"We can't see to read by that. And look at this room! It gives me +the creeps. Say, Frank, this is the extreme edge. A punk school, no +athletics, a dub crowd of fellows, except maybe one or two and a +professor down on you from the start! I'll tell you what we'll do! +Let's go back home! I can't stand this!" + +Frank was silent for a moment. He gazed about the dismal room, and out +over the dark and deserted campus. He looked in the direction of the +neglected baseball field. Then he walked over and put his arm around +his brother's shoulder. + +"Andy," he said, "this _is_ a pretty tough place, I'll admit. It +doesn't seem as if we could stand it, but I believe there is good stuff +in Riverview. Some of the fellows have the making of good football or +baseball players in them, to say nothing of a rowing crew. I've been +sizing them up. + +"It's true there must be something wrong with Dr. Doolittle's +management, but probably he's doing the best he can. I don't like to +desert in the face of trouble, and I'll tell you what I'm going to do." + +"What, Frank?" + +"I'm going to stick it out right here, and see what I can do. Are you +with me? Will you stick?" + +"By Jove! I will!" cried the younger brother, and their hands met in a +firm clasp. Though Riverview Hall did not know it, the dawn of a better +day was breaking with the advent of the Racer boys. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + ALMOST CAUGHT + + +Frank and Andy were preparing for bed. It was a bit early, but they +were tired with their day's travel. There was no necessity for study, +and, as the younger lad had said, it would be hard to read by the poor +gas light. So there was nothing to do but to turn in. + +"But I know what I'm going to do, if the room we are assigned to +permanently has such poor light as this," said Frank as he took off his +coat. + +"What?" inquired Andy, pausing in the midst of the same operation. + +"Get some new gas tips that will give some illumination. That's all it +needs. The pipes are big enough, all it needs is new tips. I should +think Dr. Doolittle would think of that." + +"Oh, he's probably thinking of a Greek root or how to translate some +Hindoo phrase into modern Dutch." + +"I shouldn't wonder." + +"Oh, but say, don't you wish you were back at Harbor View?" asked +Andy. "Think of the good times we had! Of the jokes I played on Chet +Sedley! Of how we went after the whale, yes, and even being shut up +in the cave, with the rising tide, by that Shallock fellow wasn't so +bad--after we got out. Say, don't you wish you were back there, Frank?" + +"No, I don't. This place is pretty tough, but I'm going to make myself +like it, and stick." + +"Oh, I guess you won't have to try to like it very hard." + +"What do you mean?" and the older lad gazed at his brother in some +astonishment. + +"Oh, come off now! Don't pretend ignorance. I know why you want to stay +all right!" + +"Why?" + +"Because that girl--the one we met on the boat, Gertrude Morton--lives +near here. You're thinking you'll meet her again. I saw you giving +her the friendly look as she got off the boat. That's why you want to +linger here, even if the school is punk." + +Frank did not answer. He made a jump for the bed, grabbed up a pillow +and let it fly at his brother with such good aim that it struck Andy +full in the face, and smothered the good-natured "joshing" he was +keeping up against Frank. + +"There!" cried the older lad gaily. "If you want another just say so!" + +"Two can play at this game!" exclaimed Andy with a laugh, as he sent +back the pillow with certain aim. "How's that? A strike all right, I +guess." + +"And here's another!" exclaimed Frank, as a second pillow went hurtling +across the room. + +The harmless fight was on in earnest now and the pillows went back and +forth fast and furiously. There were only four of the soft headrests, +but the brothers kept them constantly in use and the air seemed full of +the white things as they were exchanged. + +The brothers circled about the room, seeking for an advantage. Once +Frank ducked and the pillow Andy had thrown went sailing over his head, +striking a window, the shade of which was drawn down. In an instant the +shade went whizzing to the top of the roller. + +"Wow! Nothing the matter with the spring in that curtain!" exclaimed +Frank. + +"Pull it down! Quick!" called Andy, ceasing hostilities for a moment. +"Old Thorny Callum, or some of the other profs may spot us from outside +and make a row. Pull it down." + +Frank obliged and the battle was renewed. It went on for several +seconds, when Frank made a miscalculation and his pillow went into the +gas jet. + +Fortunately the cloth did not take fire, but the gas was blown out and +the room was plunged in sudden darkness. + +"Hurry up! Shut off the gas or we'll fill the place with it!" cried +Frank. + +"I'll light it," said Andy, fumbling about in the darkness for a match. + +"No, shut it off first. There may be an explosion." + +Thereupon Andy stumbled about in the blackness, barking his shins on a +chair and stubbing his toe over a big dictionary that had fallen from +the table. But finally the gas was turned off. + +Frank then opened a window and let out the choking fumes, for, by +reason of Andy's delay, considerable of the vapor had escaped. They +lighted the jet a few minutes later. + +Andy was about to resume the pillow fight, for he was a fun-loving lad +and seldom wanted to stop any sport once it was started. He was just +about to launch one of the soft missiles at his brother when there came +a sharp but gentle tap on the door. + +"Who's there?" asked Frank. + +"It's me--Jack Sanderson," was the whispered reply. "What in the name +of the Seven Sacred Snakes are you fellows up to? Old Callum is on the +warpath. He's sneaking down from his room to catch you. Hop into bed, +even if you aren't undressed. I just slipped down the back way to warn +you. Cheese it, here he comes! I'll see you later." + +The brothers heard the rapid retreat of shoeless feet. + +"Gee horse!" exclaimed Andy. "He sure has it in for us. If he catches +us--" + +"Don't let him!" exclaimed Frank in a whisper. "Slip your night shirt +on over your clothes and hop in bed. I'll douse the glim." + +No sooner had this been done, and the brothers had only time to +pull the bed clothes up over themselves when there came a loud and +imperative summons on their door. + +A hearty snore issued from Frank. It was a good imitation. Once more +the knock, followed by another snore. + +"Go ahead! Help me out!" whispered the older lad to his brother. "Can't +you snore too?" + +Andy did so. The knock was repeated for the third time and a gruff +voice followed, saying: + +"Come! Come, young gentlemen. I know you are not asleep. You are up to +some mischief, I'm sure. I demand to be admitted at once!" + +"Who's there?" asked Frank, simulating a sleepy yawn. "Is any one +knocking?" + +"Is anyone knocking? I should say there was!" came the rasping voice of +Professor Callum. "Let me in instantly. Such conduct is disgraceful. +Let me in." + +"Come in," called Andy, also yawning. "The door is not locked. But who +is it?" + +"It is I--Professor Callum," was the reply as the door opened. There +was a gasp of surprise from the crabbed instructor as he encountered +intense darkness. He had expected to catch the boys with the gas +lighted. + +He struck a match, and saw two apparently innocent faces gazing at him +in mild wonder from the beds. The professor's jaw dropped in chagrin. + +"Why--er--that is--I heard noises coming from this room," he said +severely. "It is against the rules. But you--you are in bed." + +"Yes, Professor," spoke Frank calmly. "We retired early as we were +weary. Ahem!" + +"But I am sure I heard some noise. What was it?" + +"I'm afraid I snore rather loudly when I sleep," said Frank innocently, +"and my brother is also addicted to that habit, are you not, Andy?" He +gazed innocently at his brother. + +"Yes, I am sorry to say that I am," spoke Andy. + +"Ouch! My!" suddenly exclaimed the professor. The room was plunged in +darkness again, for the match had burned the teacher's fingers and he +had dropped it. + +"Did you say anything, Professor?" asked Frank gently. + +Andy had to stuff the end of the sheet in his mouth to prevent his +laughter from being heard. + +"I thought I heard you say something," went on Frank. + +"Humph! Let there be no more of this levity!" snarled Mr. Callum. He +turned and hastily left the room, not taking the trouble to light +any more matches to investigate further. The brothers could hear him +tramping down the corridor. + +"Get up and shut the door, then light the gas again," said Frank. "But +turn it low, Andy." + +His brother obeyed. Then both began to pick up the pillows which were +still scattered about the room. Fortunately in the flickering light +of his match Professor Callum had not observed them, or the snores of +Frank and his brother would not have availed them. As it was they had +had a narrow escape. + +"Want to have another go at it?" asked Andy, as he began to undress in +earnest now. + +"No, I guess we've had enough for one night. I say though--" + +Frank paused with the sentence unfinished for there came another knock +at the door. The two brothers looked at each other with startled faces. +Who could it be this time? + + + + + CHAPTER V + + A BULLY DEFIED + + +"Why don't you answer the knock, Andy?" whispered Frank, after a pause. + +"Why don't you go yourself? I'm going to hop into bed again. You douse +the glim. You're nearer to it than I am." + +Andy crossed the room on tiptoe, and Frank was just reaching up to the +gas. They both thought Professor Callum had returned, thinking to catch +them. Such things had been known to happen among students. + +The knock was repeated, but this time it was given in a peculiar +manner. There were two light taps, a pause, then a heavy tap, then +three light ones. + +"That's no professor rapping," whispered Andy. + +"Just what I was thinking," responded Frank. "I guess it's safe to open +the door." He swung the portal wide, not taking the trouble to turn +down the gas, and saw the smiling face of Jack Sanderson. + +"I thought you fellows were never going to open up," complained the +newcomer as he quickly slid in, and shut the door after him. "Did he +come? Did he catch you?" + +"Yes--and no," replied Frank. "Thanks to your tip we were in bed when +Thorny paid his little visit. He burned his fingers with a match and +went out in a hurry." + +"Burned his fingers? Say, that's a good one all right! It's the first +time anybody's put anything over on him in a long while. Say, you +fellows are all to the rice pudding." + +"Oh, we didn't do it," explained Andy modestly. "He was so interested +in hearing us snore that he forget he held the fire-stick." + +"Snored did you?" gasped Jack in delight. "Better and better! Say, I'm +glad you chaps came to Riverview. We need some one like you to wake up +this ancient place." + +"Is it safe to talk here?" asked Frank, for there were several things +he wanted to know from some student who had been at the school long +enough to be an authority. + +"Oh, yes, I don't believe Thorny will come back," was Jack's opinion. +"His room is near mine, and I waited until he went in before I came out +again. I wondered what he was muttering about, but it must have been +his burned fingers. Crackey! That was great, and he did it himself! He +can't blame anyone. Yes, fire away. I can stay a little while longer, +then I've got to get back to my den and bone on Latin. Beastly stuff, +isn't it?" + +"Oh, it's not so bad," said Frank, who really liked studying. "But what +I wanted to ask you was what ails this place, anyhow?" + +Jack looked about the room before replying. + +"Guess we forgot our manners," said Andy. "Have a chair. Frank and I +will take the beds. Now fire away. We've never been to such a queer +school as this, and we can't understand it." + +"It's simple enough," explained Jack. "In the first place this is quite +an old institution. I mean it was founded a long time ago, but of +course most of the buildings are comparatively new--they don't look it +but they are. Dr. Doolittle is a fine scholar, too. Probably more of a +scholar than he is a business man, and the same thing can be said of +the board of trustees. Some of them are old fogies, but I don't mean +any disrespect. They simply don't know how to run things. + +"The school used to be better than it is now. Then a lot of rich men's +sons came here, and they had a fine rowing crew, a good eleven and a +crackerjack nine. That's what I've been told, for of course it was +before my time. This is my second year." + +"How did you ever happen to come back?" asked Frank, "after you saw +what it was?" + +"I didn't want to, but dad figured out that as long as I was doing well +in my studies it didn't make any difference whether I rowed on a crew +or not." + +"Do you row?" asked Andy eagerly. + +"A little," admitted their visitor modestly. + +"That's what we like," explained Frank. "We hoped we'd get a whack at +it here, but--nixy I guess." + +"We saw a dandy shell as we were coming up," went on the younger lad. +"It was at some college below here." + +"Yes, that was at Waterside Hall. They have a fine crew--in fact they +have good teams in all lines. They used to be a rival of Riverview, but +that was years ago. They don't even take the trouble to challenge us +now." + +"That's pretty tough," said Frank softly. + +"It sure is," admitted Jack. "Things have been going from bad to worse. +The nine and eleven didn't get any support from the school heads, and +gradually interest in them died out. Then the crew melted away, and we +had a good one, too, with a dandy shell--a four-oared one. + +"Money matters grew worse," went on Jack. "Dr. Doolittle was just able +to make things go and that's about all. Gradually a lot of fellows +came who didn't care anything about sport. Maybe they would have if +there'd been any to care about, but there wasn't. You can see for +yourself how things are. The diamond hasn't been used this year. We +tried to get up a football eleven a few weeks ago, but after a little +practice we had to drop it." + +"Why?" Andy wanted to know. + +"Well, some of the fellows were sissies and found fault because they +barked their shins. Then, too, old Thorny put his foot down because +some of us missed class one day after a stiff bit of practice. Dr. +Doolittle goes a good bit by what Thorny says, and he gave us a +lecture. The next day three fellows showed up for practice and--the +eleven was dead. + +"That's how things have gone. It's punk, I admit, for there is a chance +of making this a good school, and one that would have a standing in +athletics. But the doctor needs cash to make it go. I understand he's +thinking of selling a half interest to some man who has a pile of +money. The man is coming in a little while to look the ground over. But +if he'll take my advice he'll invest his cash in a wild-cat gold mine. +He'd stand a better chance with it than at Riverview. It's a shame that +such a thing is true--but it is." + +"Can't anything be done?" asked Frank. + +"Hanged if I know," replied Jack. "The fellows don't seem to care to +start anything. I guess we'll just have to let things slide. I'm glad +to know you chaps, anyhow. Come and see me sometime. There are a few +of us who sort of hang together. Ward Platt rooms with me. He's a fine +all-'round athlete, and he's sore that there isn't something going on +here. + +"He sure was broken hearted after he got here. He wanted to quit the +worst way, and go to Waterside Hall. But his guardian--both his parents +are dead you know--his guardian put his foot down. It seems that he is +a friend of Dr. Doolittle's, and has a great respect for the doctor's +learning. He's right, there, too, but a fellow has to have some fun." + +"Sure thing," agreed Frank. + +"And so it goes," concluded Jack. "There, I've told you all I know, and +I've stayed longer than I ought to, but when I get to talking it's hard +to stop. Now I'm going to cut." + +"Maybe that money man will take an interest after all," suggested Andy; + +"I doubt it;" and with that Jack was gone. + +The brothers talked over his visit as they finished getting ready for +bed. Frank was awake for some time after turning in. He was thinking +of the conditions at Riverview and wondering what he and Andy could do +to better them. It seemed a hopeless task. Frank dreamed that he had +organized a crew and was rowing in a hotly contested race when he fell +overboard. He could feel the cold water on his feet, and then a voice +cried: + +"Say, are you going to sleep all day? The rising bell has given its +morning tinkle!" + +Frank opened his eyes to see his brother standing at the foot of the +bed with a suspended water pitcher. Frank still felt the dampness on +his feet. + +"What the mischief are you doing, Andy?" he demanded, drawing his pedal +extremities under the covers. + +"This is my new alarm clock," explained the younger lad. "I wanted to +awaken you, but I desired to do it in a gentle manner, so I poured +water on your tootsie-wootsies. Why do you sleep with your feet +sticking out, anyhow?" + +"Oh, that's some more of your jokes!" complained Frank. "But is it +really morning?" + +"If it isn't, it's a good imitation of it, and my stomach has its usual +hungry feeling for breakfast. Come on--move lively, as the street car +conductors say." + +There was a goodly attendance at chapel, whither the boys went after +the morning meal. Dr. Doolittle proved to be an interesting talker. + +"I am pleased to welcome so many students at the start of the fall +term," said the good doctor, after the devotional exercises. "I also +understand that there are a number of newcomers. I hope and trust that +you boys who have been here for some time will welcome them, and make +them feel at home. + +"The lessons will begin as usual to-day, for most of the new classes +are now formed. I presume matters will go on as usual, and that you +boys will have your sports. I wish to add a word of caution. Do not +devote too much time to them, to the exclusion of your studies." + +"No danger of that," murmured Jack Sanderson, who sat near Frank and +Andy. + +"I may have some important news for you in a few days," went on the +doctor. "I apprehend--er--that is, I hope--that extensive improvements +may soon be made at Riverview Hall. We are planning--er--well, I +think I will say no more at present. I think you will see that +the experiment--Oh, I am not in the physics class, am I?" and the +principal, whose absent-mindedness had led him into confusion, stopped +short and dismissed the students. + +"I guess he's referring to that man with money that I was speaking of," +said Jack, as he filed out with the Racer boys. "Well, I hope he makes +good, that's all. I'm aching for a good row." + +"So am I!" exclaimed Frank. "Isn't there some kind of a boat on the +river that we can hire?" + +"I don't know. We'll see after school. I'm off to that punky Latin +class now. So-long." + +The students dispersed to their various classes. Andy and Frank noted +that there was little enthusiasm. There was none of the cheerful spirit +usually manifested at schools or colleges. None of the "horse-play" in +which an extra head of "steam" is safely let off. True, some of the +boys ran about and pulled or hauled their companions, but this was soon +over and they went in comparative silence to their recitations. + +"Whew! This is like a funeral!" exclaimed Andy. + +"It sure is," agreed Frank. + +The Racer boys did not find their first day of study hard. They were, +in fact, a little ahead of their class and were complimented by +Professor Dickson in mathematics. But it was a different story in the +Latin recitation, over which "Old Thorny," as he was called, presided. + +Frank failed in giving some case endings, and Professor Callum, looking +up from his book, exclaimed with a sour smile: + +"I see you are not well prepared, Racer. You remain after class and +write me fifty lines of Latin prose." + +It was a stiff dose, but Frank never flinched. He realized that this +was the first clash with the vindictive teacher, and part of his +revenge for the interference in the episode on the boat. + +"All right, I can stand it if he can," thought Frank. "And I'd do the +same thing over again if Miss Gertrude was in trouble." + +Somehow the thought of the pretty girl seemed to make his task less +hard. + +Nor did Andy come out scathless for he slipped up on a comparatively +simple question in Latin conjugation, one that he knew perfectly well. +But perhaps he was nervous over his brother's fate. + +"Ah, another Racer fallen," said the professor with an attempt at a +joke. "Fifty lines. Next!" + +Frank and Andy finished their tasks about the same time. They found +Jack waiting for them outside the recitation hall. + +"Are you through?" he asked. + +"Yes--done for to-day, and done brown," said Frank. + +"So am I. I heard about you. Thorny can be mean when he wants to. But +come on. We'll go down to the river. I'm glad I've found somebody who +likes the water. Here comes Ward. Maybe we can find a boat." + +The four lads were strolling along toward the stream, when Jack, +looking up, saw approaching Gerald Welter and Luke Moss, his crony. + +"Let's go the other way," proposed Jack. "No use meeting those two +fellows. They may say something and we'll get in a row." + +"What of it?" asked Frank, who didn't like the idea of running away. + +"He may want to fight," said Ward. + +"Let him," said Frank. "I'm not going around the other way on his +account. Come on. We've as good a right to go this path as he has." + +"All right," assented Jack, with a shrug of his shoulders. "But don't +say we didn't warn you." + +As the bully and his crony came opposite the four lads, Jack and Ward +touched their hats in a form of salute. Frank and Andy did not. At once +Gerald came to a halt and there was an ugly look on his face. + +"Say, Freshies!" he exclaimed, looking at Frank and Andy, "Don't you +know enough to tip your hats to your superiors." + +"I do when I see them," spoke Frank quietly. + +"What's that?" cried Luke. "Did you hear that, Gerald?" + +"I sure did, and I'll make him pay for it. Look here, you two Fresh--" + +"They've just come," broke in Jack. "They didn't know it was the custom +to tip to the juniors." + +"That's their lookout," sneered Gerald. "You can tip twice now, to make +up for it." + +He paused and glared threateningly at Frank and Andy. Neither of them +made a motion toward his cap. + +"Well?" fairly shouted the bully. + +"If you're through speaking we'll go on," and Frank took a step forward. + +"No, you don't! Not until you tip to us!" exclaimed Gerald. + +"Then we'll have to stay here a long time," said Frank with a smile, +"for we're not going to tip. This isn't a college. If it was we'd +conform to the custom. As it stands, we're not going to. Are we, Andy?" + +"Not on your life!" + +"Yes, you are!" fairly snarled the bully. "I'll make you!" + +He made a grab for Frank's cap. Our hero stepped back, not wishing to +come to a clash if he could avoid it. But the temper of Gerald was +aroused. He leaped forward and made another grab. Frank shoved his arm +to one side. + +"Oh, ho! You want to fight, do you?" sneered the bully. "I can give you +all you want of that!" He drew back his fist, but he was not prepared +for what followed, for with a quick left-hander Frank reached his chin +and Gerald Welter went over backward, falling on the soft grass with a +thud. + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + MISS MORTON'S TROUBLES + + +"Whew! Now you have done it!" gasped Jack, as he saw the bully go to +earth. + +"I guess Frank can take care of himself," said Andy calmly. + +Ward Platt looked as if he wanted to take a hand in the hostilities +himself, now that someone had started them. His eyes were bright with +anticipation, and he clenched his fists as if ready for the fray. + +Luke Moss looked horrified that his crony should thus be treated. He +sprang toward the fallen bully. + +"Let me alone!" snarled Gerald. "I'm all right. I'll make him pay for +this." + +He managed to get to his feet, though he staggered a bit, for Frank's +blow had not been a light one. + +"You--you dared to hit me--me!" gasped Gerald as he advanced toward our +hero. + +"I'm sorry I had to, but it was hit or be hit," said Frank calmly. +"You spoke of fighting, you know." + +"Yes, and I'll give you all you want!" fairly yelled the bully. "I'll +show you who's boss here!" + +He sprang toward Frank, but the latter never moved. He shifted his +weight to the other foot and calmly awaited the onslaught. + +Gerald had almost reached him, and there was every prospect of a fight, +when Luke, who had been hanging in the background, being too great a +coward to risk hostilities with any of Frank's companions, suddenly +uttered a cry. + +"Cheese it! Here comes Thorny!" he exclaimed. "He'll have us all up on +the platform if he thinks we're fighting." + +"Cut for it!" gasped Jack. + +"I'll stick it out," declared Frank. + +But the others did not think it wise. Even the vindictiveness of Gerald +seemed to ooze away. He glared at Frank, but his hands dropped to his +side. + +"Come on," called Luke. "He doesn't suspect anything yet" + +"All right, but I'm not done with you, Fresh!" called the bully to +Frank. "I'll make you wish you'd never come to Riverview." + +"I'll meet you any time you say," replied Frank calmly. "And I'll be +delighted to give you satisfaction. I'm not going to tip my cap, +either, and I'd advise the others to cut out that silly custom." + +"You'll tip it all right when I'm through with you," snarled the bully. + +Then he and his crony turned aside while our four friends continued on +their way to the river. Professor Thorndyke Callum passed them with +a frigid nod, and the boys congratulated themselves that he had been +sighted in time, for he had a particular horror of fighting and meted +out severe punishment to those whom he caught. + +"Say, this is the best thing I've seen since I came here," said Ward +admiringly to Frank. "Gee! but you sent him down all right. Where did +you get that punch?" + +"Oh, I took boxing lessons," said Frank modestly. "But it's time that +fellow was taken down a peg. How did you fellows let him get such a +hold over you?" + +"Oh, he was here when we came," explained Jack, "and he beat up all the +fellows who wouldn't do as he wanted them to. He never met any one who +could trim him I guess." + +"I don't know that I can trim him," said Frank, "but I'll try, if I get +a chance. I'm not going to tip my cap to him, or to any of the juniors." + +"There'll be a row," predicted Ward. + +"Let it come," said Andy easily. "We like trouble; eh, Frank?" + +"Sure, if it comes our way we're not going to dodge it. But how does it +come that such a 'sport,' as I have no doubt this Welter thinks himself +to be, attends here at such a run-down school as Riverview?" + +"He was expelled from Waterside," explained Jack, "and he came here. +He's an example of a big fish in a little puddle. He has plenty of +money and he lords it over most of the fellows. I guess that's why he +stays on. He likes the power he has." + +"Well, he's not going to boss me, even if he is a junior," declared the +elder Racer lad. "I'm willing to conform to the usual unwritten rules +of a school, but not for such fellows as Welter. Now come on, and we'll +see if we can't find something to row." + +But Frank was not destined to get on the water that day. As he and his +companions were nearing the stream Andy uttered an exclamation. + +"Look who's here!" he said to his brother. Glancing to where he pointed +Frank saw approaching two girls. One was a stranger to him but he +quickly recognized the other as Miss Gertrude Morton. + +"Do you know 'em?" asked Jack quickly. + +"One," answered Frank. + +"Oh ho! Then don't let us butt in on a date with the fair damsels," +said Ward quickly. "Come on, fellows, Frank has his hands full." + +"Nothing of the sort!" objected Frank quickly. "I didn't expect to meet +them. Here, don't go away." + +But the other three had turned down a side road, looking back with +mocking grins on their faces. + +"Hang it all!" exclaimed Frank. "Leaving me in the lurch this way. Andy +at least might have stayed. Well, I'm not going to run." Frank was not +a coward in more meanings than one. + +"How do you do, Mr. Racer?" asked Miss Morton, as she approached. "I +didn't expect to meet you here. This is my friend, Miss Grace Knox. +Grace, this is the gentleman I was telling you about--he met me on the +steamer." + +"I trust you have not had any more trouble with Mr. Callum," Frank said. + +"Oh, no, I haven't even seen him," said Gertrude. "Oh, but he +frightened me so!" + +"It must have been terrible," commented Miss Knox. + +"I've told Grace all about it," Gertrude went on. "She and I are great +chums. We go to the same school. It's not far from Riverview Hall, and +sometimes we walk home this way." + +"I--I hope you do it often," said Frank gallantly. + +The girls laughed but they were not ill-pleased. + +"How do you like it here?" asked Gertrude. + +"Oh, it's too early to say yet," replied the lad. "My brother and I +hope to have some fun. But I would be very glad if I could do anything +to help you, Miss Gertrude. Is the trouble with Professor Callum a +serious one?" + +"Most money troubles are serious," said the girl with a sigh. "It's no +secret. My mother is a widow, and when poor papa died several years ago +he left her some stock or bond shares, in some concern. I don't know +just what they were. + +"When it came time for me to leave high school and go to Fuller Academy +where Grace and I attend, mother needed some extra money. She went to +a lawyer who said she could raise money on the stocks or bonds. As it +happened Mr. Callum had some to lend and we borrowed it, on a note +thinking we could sell the bonds when we had to pay it. + +"Everything seemed to be all right, but recently Mr. Callum wanted his +money back. Mother and I thought it would be easy enough to take the +bonds to some bank, raise the money and pay off the professor. But we +found we couldn't." + +"Why not?" asked Frank. + +"Because it seems that the bonds were worthless. No one would take +them, and so we couldn't raise the money to pay back Mr. Callum. He was +very angry and though we did our best we have not been able to sell +the bonds. So he hasn't been paid. That was what he was speaking to me +about on the boat. Oh, if he had taken hold of me I should have fainted +I'm sure." + +"He's a brute!" exclaimed Frank. + +"Poor Gertrude," whispered Grace, putting her arm around her chum. + +"And so that is the story of our trouble," went on the girl. "Poor +mother is much worried and doesn't know what to do. Mr. Callum +threatens to bring suit and take our little home away from us. We have +tried everything but nothing seems to be of any use." + +"I wish I could help you!" said Frank eagerly. "My father is in +business in New York, and perhaps he could give your mother some advice +about the bonds. I wish you'd let me ask him." + +"I'll speak to mamma about it," said Gertrude. "But we must hurry on, +Grace. I have a lot of lessons to study." + +"Do you walk this way every day after school?" asked Frank boldly. + +"Sometimes--that is _nearly_ every day," answered Gertrude, with a +blush. + +"I'm going to write to my father," said Frank eagerly. "If you will +get me the name of the company who issued the bonds I may be able to +help you. Perhaps I shall see you here to-morrow." + +"Perhaps," admitted the girl shyly, and then she and her chum turned +away. + +Frank stood for a moment, in a sort of daydream. It was rudely +interrupted by a chorus of excited shouts on the river, followed by +others close at hand. + +"Ha! What's that?" exclaimed Frank. He broke into a run, and, turning +down a path was met by his brother and the two chums. + +"What's the matter?" cried Frank. + +"The Waterside Hall rowing shell just passed here and it upset!" +exclaimed Jack. "It hit an old skiff that was moored at our boathouse, +but it must have got adrift. Come down this way and you can see 'em +better. They're all in the water, but they can swim like fishes, so +there's no danger." + +"Gee! But they went over suddenly!" said Andy. "All in the water at +once. There they are!" + +Frank peered through a fringe of bushes and saw nine forms struggling +in the river about a long, slender racing shell. As he looked one of +the rowers threw up his hands, uttered a cry, and sank from sight. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + TO THE RESCUE + + +"Look! Look!" cried Andy. + +"He's drowning!" yelled another of the excited lads on the bank. + +"Must have been taken with a cramp!" exclaimed Jack. + +"And the others are either too much occupied in saving themselves, or +they don't know he's gone down!" added Frank. While he was speaking he +was rapidly divesting himself of his shoes and his heavier articles of +clothing. + +"Where are you going?" demanded Andy. + +"To save him of course!" + +Frank plunged into the river and with long, even strokes headed for +the spot where the unfortunate oarsman had gone down. By this time the +others had succeeded in getting a hold on the overturned shell. + +A moment later they seemed aware that one of their number was missing, +and after some excited shouts and calls the lad nearest the bow of the +shell let go and dived, evidently with the intention of bringing up his +comrade. + +"He's too far to the left," commented Andy in a low voice. "Frank +stands a better chance of getting him." + +"I wonder why some of the others don't go after him?" remarked Jack. +"What's the matter with them?" + +"Maybe they're afraid of getting cramps, too," suggested Ward. "They +might take a chance, though." + +"There the fellow comes up who dived down," exclaimed Andy. "He +couldn't locate him." + +"Yes, and there's the fellow who had a cramp!" cried Ward, pointing +some distance away from the slowly drifting shell. A body shot into +view. A hand and arm were raised in a mute appeal for help, and then +the lad went down for the second time. But the current of the river was +carrying him toward Frank, who was swimming strongly. + +The elder Racer lad had seen the boy rise, and changed his course +accordingly. A little later, he, too, disappeared from sight. + +"Frank's gone!" gasped Jack. + +"Not him," said Andy confidently. "Frank can swim like a fish on top or +under the water. Once he stayed under two full minutes. He's probably +taken a deep dive. Watch and you'll see him come up!" + +Eagerly the lads on the shore watched. It seemed like many minutes but +in reality it was only a few seconds before Frank reappeared. + +"He hasn't got him!" cried Ward. + +"Then he'll go down again," said Andy grimly, and Frank did. Meanwhile +the lads on the shell were helplessly clinging there. They saw Frank's +brave efforts and realized that he was more expert than any of them. + +"There he comes!" was the excited cry raised in a chorus by the three +on the bank as Frank shot up from the water and encircled in one arm +was the helpless and limp form of the half-drowned lad. There came a +faint cheer from those on the shell, toward which Frank struck out. + +"It won't do him any good when he does get there," said Andy excitedly. +"They can't right it and put that chap aboard. We ought to go out in a +boat. Isn't there any at the boathouse, fellows?" + +"A couple of old ones I guess," answered Jack. "Come on, let's look." + +They were not far from the ruin that passed for a boathouse, and as +they approached they saw a fairly-good boat drawn up on the shore. + +"That will do!" cried Andy. "That wasn't here the day we came." + +"No, that belongs to Bill Spalter, who does odd jobs around the +school," hurriedly explained Ward. "I guess you can take it." + +Andy began shoving off the craft. + +"You come with me, Jack," he said. "That's about all it will hold," he +added to Ward, who nodded comprehendingly. + +With strong strokes the two lads pulled toward where Frank was swimming +with his burden. Shouts from those on the shell told him someone was +coming to the rescue and Frank turned to where they pointed back of +him, and swam to meet his brother. + +"He's pretty far gone, but I guess we can bring him around," panted +the elder Racer lad, as he helped Andy and Jack get the rescued one +into the boat. "Get ashore as fast as you can," he added as he himself +clambered in. + +It was fortunate that Frank and Andy knew the rules for reviving +partially drowned persons. They worked vigorously over the unconscious +lad when they reached the platform about the boathouse, and soon +had most of the water out of his lungs. Then they tried artificial +respiration. + +"This is like the time when we rescued Paul," said Andy, referring to +their summer spent at Harbor View. + +"Don't talk--work," advised Frank. And they did work to such advantage +that in a little while the rescued one opened his eyes. + +"He's all right now," said Frank, with a sigh of relief. "But it was a +close call. He had a bad cramp." + +"Where are the others?" asked the lad faintly. + +"They're all right," answered Jack. "They've got the shell ashore now +and righted. They'll be here for you soon." + +"You fellows are all right!" declared the lad who had been so near +death. "Crawford is my name, Tom Crawford. I'm from Waterside." + +"We're from Riverview," spoke Jack, and he named himself and his +companions. "Are you all right now?" + +"I guess so--yes, I'm all right," and Tom Crawford, who seemed to be a +manly young chap, proved his words by walking about. "A little weak in +the legs," he confessed with a smile. + +"We can row you to your school," suggested Frank, "though this boat +isn't very good." + +"Oh, no, thanks, I wouldn't think of troubling you. I can walk, I +guess." + +"You won't have to. Here comes the shell after you," said Andy. "How +did you come to upset?" + +"It was my fault, I guess. I don't pull a very good stroke yet. You see +we're only the freshman crew, but some of the fellows are better than +I. I caught a crab, when we were trying to avoid an old boat, and we +went over. Then I got a cramp. But it was bully of you to come out and +get me," he added, taking Frank's hand in a firm clasp. "I'll never +forget it. You saved my life." + +"Pshaw! Any one would have done it," said Frank. + +There were more thanks and congratulations from the other members of +the freshman eight when they reached what passed as the landing stage +for the Riverview boathouse. Frank and Andy, though, noticed that there +was something of a coldness between their two chums and the other +school lads. + +"What's the reason for that?" asked Frank when the shell had been rowed +away, after renewed thanks on the part of Tom Crawford. "Why, aren't +you friendly with those fellows?" + +"Well, they've always been our rivals," explained Jack. "There is +considerable jealous feeling I guess, just as there is between us and +Milton Academy. That's another school farther up the river. You see we +used to play both of them on the diamond and gridiron, as well as race +them on the river. But of late years there has been nothing of that +sort." + +"It ought to be changed," declared Frank, and, though the others agreed +with him, they saw no way of bringing it about. + +"Well, it's getting late and we'd better be getting back to school," +said Jack, after a pause. "I should think you'd want to change your +togs, Frank." + +"I do. I'm a pretty looking sight, I guess. Come on." + +As Frank was going to his room, he met in the corridor Professor +Callum. The crabbed instructor looked at the wet figure, scowled and +rasped out: + +"Well, what have you been doing? Falling in the river?" + +"I went in to save a lad who had a cramp," explained Frank. + +"Humph! Well I want to tell you one thing, Mr. Racer. I don't allow +students to dirty up this dormitory. I'm in charge I'd have you know, +and the next time you get wet change your clothes before you come in +here. We can't be paying janitors to clean after you boys all the +while." + +Frank said nothing, but kept on to his room. + +"Nice pleasant sort of a man; isn't he?" observed Andy grimly. + +"Sort of that way," admitted his brother sarcastically. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + OVER THE RIVER + + +"Say, but you fellows have this room fixed up in great shape!" +complimented Jack Sanderson. + +"Yes, it's pippy!" declared Ward Platt after another glance around the +apartment. They had called on Frank and Andy in the permanent apartment +that had been assigned to them, and their expressions of admiration +were called forth by the various ornaments and pictures with which the +Racer boys had decorated their study. + +"Yes, it's sort of so-so," admitted Frank. "We brought these things +with us, and we thought we might as well stick them up. It makes it +sort of home-like." + +"I should say it did," agreed Jack, as he looked at a pair of fencing +foils. + +"Do you use these?" asked Ward, indicating two pairs of boxing gloves. + +"Oh, Frank and I put them on for fun once in a while," admitted Andy. + +"You may need 'em if Gerald Welter keeps his word and gets into a fight +with you," said Jack with a smile at Frank. + +"Oh, I'm not worrying. But I haven't seen him lately. Where has he +been?" + +This was several days after the rescue of Tom Crawford from the river, +and during the interim our heroes had settled down into the life and +ways of Riverview Hall. + +"Oh, Welter," answered Ward. "I heard he went off on a little spree +with Luke Moss. They came in late and were caught by Thorny. He made +them stay in their rooms three days." + +"So, that's the how of it," commented Frank. "Thorny seems to be right +on the job." + +"You'd have thought so if you'd seen him bullying that little Miss +Morton," commented Andy. "By the way, Frank, what did she have to say +to you that day you met her?" + +"Yes, and who was the pretty girl with her?" Jack wanted to know. + +"That was Grace Knox," said Frank, "and Miss Morton was telling me +about her money troubles with Thorny. It's a shame, and I'm going to +see if dad can't do something about those bonds," he added to his +brother, when he had related the circumstances. + +"I believe he could," declared Andy. "It's worth trying, anyhow. But +say, speaking of money matters, when is that millionaire coming here to +invest in Riverview stock?" he asked of Jack. "I wish he'd hurry up, +for if we're going to have any money to spend on the gridiron or in +getting a racing shell we'd better do it before cold weather sets in." + +"I haven't heard anything about that lately," replied Jack. "But I +don't believe it will pan out in time for this year. We used to row +pretty late on the river though, much later than is usual at other +schools or colleges. We have a fine course here." + +"But no boats," said Frank regretfully. "Well, I've got to do some +boning. Don't let me stop the talk though; go right on." + +"No, we've got to go," announced Jack. "I'm not as well up on +to-morrow's Latin as I ought to be." Thereupon the two visitors took +their departure and Frank and Andy did some studying. + +"I'm going for a row to-morrow afternoon," said the elder lad, after a +period of silence. "Want to come?" + +"What are you going to row in?" + +"Bill Spalter said I could take his boat. It isn't so bad, though it's +awful slow and heavy. I'd almost go rowing in a tub, just to get on the +water again." + +"So would I. I'm with you." + +Jack and Ward had some lessons to make up the next day, and could not +join our heroes. Frank and Andy hastened down to the river, the waters +of which were sparkling in the sun. + +"Gee, but it's a fine day!" exclaimed Andy. "I'd like to have some fun." + +"With--er--lobsters, for instance?" asked Frank with a sly smile, +referring to the time when a joke was turned on his brother, as related +in "The Racer Boys." + +"Not on your life--no! But say with that bully Welter. I saw him +to-day, and he sneered at me." + +"He didn't try to make you tip your cap, did he?" + +"I should say not! I'd have tackled him if he had, though he's bigger +than I am." + +"Leave him to me," said Frank significantly. + +They rowed leisurely down the river, for they had finished their +lessons early that day and had several hours to themselves. + +"This is a clumsy old tub, but it's great to be out in even this," said +Frank. "Oh, if we only had our boats here!" + +"I wonder if we couldn't send for them?" ventured Andy. + +"It's a little too late this year, but if we stay I've a good notion to +do it. Pull a little on your left, we're drifting too near the bank." + +Andy did as requested, and, as he looked over his shoulder to see the +course, he uttered an exclamation. + +"Here comes the Waterside eight! Look how they pull! I wonder if Tom +Crawford is in it?" + +"That isn't a freshman shell," declared Frank. + +"Why not?" + +"Freshmen can't row like that. It must be the varsity. I believe it +is! Say, they're all right," and Frank paused in his rowing to gaze +admiringly at the oncoming shell. Truly it was a pretty sight. + +Nearer and nearer it came at a swift pace. Unconsciously both Andy and +Frank ceased rowing and their boat drifted with the current. They were +nearer the oncoming shell than they realized, especially since the +coxswain changed his course slightly to avoid a floating log. + +Suddenly above the voice of the steersman monotonously counting the +strokes there came a cry. + +"Hey, you fellows! Look where you're going! Do you want us to run +you down?" The hail came from the shell, and the tones were almost +insulting. + +"Gee! We _are_ pretty close," said Andy in some alarm. "Pull over, +Frank." + +The two lads dipped their oars in the water, but the current had them +in more of a grip than they counted on. The rowers from Waterside had +not ceased their swift strokes and the knife-like shell was fairly +tearing through the water. + +"Look out! Look out!" yelled several of the scantily-clad rowers. The +shell was between the heavy drifting log and the big clumsy rowboat +containing Frank and Andy. To steer the shell very much to either side, +at the rate it was going, would mean almost certain capsizing. + +"What ails you boobs, anyhow?" howled the coxswain. "You ought not to +be allowed on the river without a nurse. Get off our course!" + +The men had ceased rowing but the shell was still shooting forward +under its momentum. A flush came to Frank's tanned face. + +"We've got as good a right on this river as you have!" he cried. + +"They're from Riverview!" cried a rower. "Soak 'em!" + +"Pull away," advised Andy in a low voice. + +But it was too late. On came the shell. The rowboat was rapidly +drifting and in spite of the efforts of the brothers the two craft came +together broadside. There was a splintering of wood and the oar of the +bow rower was smashed. The shell careened violently. + +"Look out! We're going to capsize!" yelled the excited lads, while the +coxswain hurled a volley of abuse at Frank and Andy. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + THE MILLIONAIRE ARRIVES + + +Only by the smallest margin was the long narrow racing shell prevented +from turning over. Prompt action on the part of the lads in it, who +were veteran oarsmen in spite of their years, saved the day. But +considerable water was shipped. + +As for Andy and Frank, they worked hard with their sculls to send their +boat out of the way of the other craft. The current hampered them, and +it took considerable muscle to get them where there was no danger for +themselves or the lads from Waterside Hall. + +Then, when comparative calmness had succeeded the confusion, the looks +of all in the shell were turned on our two heroes. + +"Say, who are you dubs, anyhow?" demanded the irate coxswain. + +"They're from Riverview," put in a rower. "Can't you tell by their +sweaters?" + +"Well, all I've got to say," went on the coxswain, "is that you fellows +ought to stay off this part of the river until you know how to row. +You've broken one of our oars and maybe damaged our shell. Why don't +you keep near shore until you know how to handle a boat?" + +"Yes, and it was my best oar, too," wailed the bow rower ruefully as he +gazed at the splintered sweep. + +"We ought to duck them!" exclaimed the rower front of him. "It would +serve 'em right." + +This tirade and abuse had been heaped up so quickly on Andy and Frank +that they had not had time to reply to it. But they were far from going +to sit still and take it all calmly. + +"Look here!" exclaimed Frank, as he held the old tub steady with slow +sweeps of the oars, "you fellows may think you own the river, but you +don't." + +"We have as much right on it as you have," added Andy. + +"Hear 'em talk!" jeered the coxswain. + +"And what's more," continued the elder Racer lad, "it was as much your +fault as ours." + +"How do you make that out?" asked a rower amidships. + +"Because you are supposed to know the currents of this stream, and +we've only been here a few days. If I lived near a stream of water I'd +know all about it before very long." + +"Aw get out, you're dubs! You don't know how to row!" + +"We don't, eh?" demanded Andy. "I'll race any one of you individually +in any kind of a craft you like. Don't know how to row!" + +"We could row before you fellows knew what a boat or an oar was," +declared Frank, and this was probably true, for they had been near the +water all their lives and had been trusted out, not too far from shore, +alone, when but five years old. + +"Well, you want to keep out of our way after this," was all the retort +the coxswain could make. + +"Yes, you dubs from Riverview haven't any rights on the river since you +gave up racing," added another of the Waterside Hall lads. + +"Is there such a place as Riverview any more?" asked a third. "I +understood it had been sold at auction." + +There was a laugh at this, a laugh that brought a flush of anger and +shame to the cheeks of Frank and Andy. The laugh still rang in their +ears as they rowed away, and its echo seemed to follow them as they +disappeared around a bend in the river and saw the shell being pulled +back. + +"Well?" remarked Andy in a questioning tone, after a long period of +silence. + +"Um," said Frank, noncommittally. "They're rather a stuck-up crowd. +They think they're the whole universe when it comes to rowing, and a +bit more. I wish we could take them down a peg. I'd just like to be one +of a four-oared-shell crowd to put it all over them. Jove! Wouldn't it +be fun to beat the jackets off them?" + +"Oh, what's the use?" wearily demanded Andy. "We belong to a dub +school, even if we aren't dubs ourselves. There's no use denying +it--Riverview is on the fritz and we know it. Everybody else knows it +too. I feel like quitting. I'm going to write to dad to-night, and tell +him all about it." Clearly the recent happening had taken the spunk out +of Andy. + +"Look here!" exclaimed Frank vigorously. "There never yet was a Racer +who was a quitter, and you're not going to begin. I said we'd stick it +out, and we will. We won't give up just because those fellows laughed +at us. They'd have some excuse for calling us dubs then. No, sir, we'll +stick it out, and if there's any possible way of it I'm going to row +those Waterside fellows and beat 'em, too!" + +"It isn't possible, Frank." + +"I don't care, I'm going to stick, just the same." + +"Well, there's some excuse for you." + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that you are older than I am, and you've made more friends +already." + +"More? Why you've got as many friends as I have." + +"There's Miss Morton, and----" + +"Oh, cut it out. Is that what's eating you? Say, I thought you looked +a bit down in the gills. Now look here, she's got a friend, Miss Knox, +and I'll introduce you to her." + +"Aw, I don't want to meet any girls," protested Andy with a blush. + +"That's all right, you've got to meet her. I promised Miss Morton I'd +call on her some night this week. I'm going to have a look at those +bonds and then I'm going to see what dad can do about them. I heard +that old Thorny made another demand on the widow for the money and +she's at her wits' end. I'm going to see Gertrude, and you're coming." + +"Oh, I am, eh?" asked Andy rather sarcastically. + +"Yes, and you're going to meet her friend. She's going to be +there--Gertrude told me so." + +"Seems to me you're getting quite familiar on short +acquaintance--calling her by her front handle." + +"Cut it out, I know what I'm doing." + +The two brothers rowed on in silence until they came in sight of the +ruined boathouse of Riverview Hall. Then Andy remarked: + +"There's Jack and Ward. Going to tell them?" + +"Sure," answered his brother. "I want to make a proposition to them." + +"What kind?" + +"You'll soon hear. I've made up my mind to one thing, and that is, if +it's at all possible, Riverview is going to have a racing crew if it's +only a four-oared shell." + +"Good for you!" cried Andy as he helped his brother to make fast Bill +Spalter's boat. + +"Where have you fellows been?" demanded Jack Sanderson. "We were +looking for you." + +"Just for a little jaunt," answered Frank, "and we had quite an +experience, too," and he proceeded to relate the particulars of the +run-in with the Waterside boys. + +"I didn't know they were that kind of chaps," commented Andy. + +"They're snobs, of the worst kind," declared Jade. "It didn't use to +be so, when Riverview was in her glory. Then our boys used to put it +all over those chaps. But now it's different," and he shook his head +mournfully. + +"Much different," added Ward. + +"But why need it be?" asked Frank quickly. "I'm sure there is as good +material here as in that school," and he waved his hand down the river. +"Why can't we get up a rowing crew? There is still time enough this +season. Maybe we could challenge Waterside Hall." + +"Where's the money to come from?" asked Jack. "Who'll support the +crew?" + +"And where's the crew to come from?" asked Ward. + +"If we only went in for a four-oared shell it wouldn't take much of a +crew," said Frank quickly. "Andy and I are in training, and from what +I've seen of you and Jack, you are also. We four could give a good +account of ourselves I fancy. Do they have a four-oared varsity shell +at Waterside?" + +"Yes. Some of the fellows in the eight row in the four--the same ones +you had the run-in with to-day." + +"Then they are some rowers--believe me," spoke Andy with conviction. +"But I'm willing." + +"I would like to go in for it!" said Ward decidedly. "I wonder if we +could manage it?" + +Eagerly the four lads talked it over as they walked up to the school +buildings. Frank and Andy were more eager than their companions, +perhaps for the reason that the stagnant blood of Riverview had not yet +had its effect on them. Jack and Ward would have been glad to see even +one four-oared shell carrying the colors of their school, but they did +not understand how it could be managed. + +"If Riverview was a richer school, or if there was more of a school +spirit here, we could do it easily," said Jack. + +"Even without the spirit that could soon be brought out if some rich +man would endow the school heavily," suggested Ward. + +"Well, I'm going to find some way to have a crew," declared Frank +determinedly as they parted to go to their respective rooms. "You +fellows come and see us to-night and I may have a plan." + +As Frank and Andy were about to enter their apartment they were passed +in the corridor by Professor Thorndyke Callum. The crabbed teacher did +not see them, or, if he did, he took no notice of them. He was speaking +to Professor Dickson. + +"I have to go away this evening," Mr. Callum was saying. "I shall leave +you in charge of this dormitory, Professor. And I warn you that there +are a number of unruly spirits here. In particular look out for those +two Racer lads." + +"Hum!" murmured Frank, as he slid into his room. "We may give you +plenty of excuse for saying that, Thorny, before we get through with +you." The next words of the crabbed instructor came to Frank as a shock. + +"I have to go to Dailsburg on some money matters," went on Mr. Callum. +"I am trying to collect an outstanding debt, and I fear I shall have to +take strenuous measures." + +"By Jove! He's going to annoy Gertrude and her mother again!" whispered +Frank to his brother. "I'm going to stop that business!" + +"How are you going to do it? You can't go out and have a row with +Callum, now." + +"I know it, but I can go to Dailsburg myself and tell Mrs. Morton that +dad will take charge of her financial affairs. Dad will make Thorny +know what's what, and teach him to let a poor widow and her daughter +alone. I'm going to Dailsburg." + +"Good for you!" exclaimed Andy. "I'm with you. We'll run the guard +right after supper." + +But Andy and Frank were not to get away as soon as they hoped to. They +hurried to their room after the evening meal, dispensed with study that +evening and made preparations for getting quietly out of school. This +was against the rules, but they knew Mr. Callum was not on guard. + +"Professor Dickson will be easy," was Frank's opinion. "He'll probably +keep to his room all evening working on some mathematical problem. We +can get out and back again before he knows it. Come on, Andy." + +There sounded a cautious knock on their door--the knock of Jack or +Ward, given in the usual signal code. Frank swung the portal. + +"Hurray! Good news!" cried Jack, for it was he and his chum who stood +in the hall. + +"What's up?" demanded Andy. + +"The millionaire has come," whispered Ward as he slipped in after Jack. +"Mr. Pierson Lairman, who is an old grad of Riverview, reached here +to-night. He's the one I was telling you about who is going to invest +a lot of money in the school. It means the solution of Dr. Doolittle's +financial troubles and it means that the old school will take on new +life." + +"Yes, and it means that we can have a crew, a nine, and a football +eleven!" added Jack. "We just heard the news and came to tell you. Mr. +Lairman is in Dr. Doolittle's study now. He brought a black bag with +him. I wouldn't wonder but what it was stuffed with greenbacks. Wow! +Isn't it great! Now we don't have to worry about getting a shell. Let's +talk about the new crew! I'll row now!" + + + + + CHAPTER X + + AN ANGRY PROFESSOR + + +There was so much whirlwind enthusiasm in the dual announcement by Jack +and Ward that, for a moment, Frank and Andy could not get a word in. +They motioned their companions to seats and then asked for particulars. + +"Are you sure he's here?" demanded Frank. + +"Yes, it's been rumored for some time that he was to come, and he's +here all right," said Ward. + +"Besides I heard Dr. Doolittle call him by his name," added Jack. "And +if you could see how happy the poor worried doctor looked it would have +been proof enough." + +"I hope it is true, and that he does invest about a million in +Riverview," spoke Andy. "She needs it," and he gazed out over the +neglected athletic fields and toward the ruined boathouse. + +"How did it all come about?" Frank wanted to know. + +"Well, this millionaire--Mr. Lairman--used to attend school here +years ago," explained Jack, who seemed to have all the traditions of +Riverview at his tongue's end. "It was a different sort of a place +then, and lots of rich men's sons came here. After years had passed, as +they say in the novels, Mr. Lairman graduated, went away and amassed a +fortune. Notice that word 'amassed.'" + +"Some class to you," murmured Frank. + +"Go on," urged Andy. + +"More years passed," resumed Jack, "and Riverview fell upon dark +days. Recently Dr. Doolittle, seeking help, chanced to think of Mr. +Lairman. He wrote to him and asked him to take a half interest in +the school, which, the doctor said, ought to be made to pay well if +rightly managed. Mr. Lairman said he'd come on and investigate. He's +here--what's the answer?" + +"If he only _does_ invest," murmured Ward, "it will be the best +thing that could happen. I say, let's talk all about it." + +"Not now," said Frank quickly. + +"Why not?" + +"Andy and I have to go out. Don't say anything about it, but we're +going to cut. Thorny is away and it's safe." + +"Got a date?" asked Jack. + +"Sort of," admitted the elder Racer lad. "Don't think we're putting you +out, but we've got to tog up." + +"Girls! I knew it!" cried Ward. "Come on, Jack. Let's go where we're +appreciated." + +"Don't think we're not glad about the news," went on Frank, "but this +is something important and it won't keep." + +"That's all right," spoke Jack good-naturedly. "We know how it is. Get +on your pink neckties and scoot. We'll see you again." + +Frank and Andy began to make a hasty change in their attire as soon as +the door closed. + +"I hope we're not too late," murmured Frank. "I want to get there +before Old Thorny does." + +"Did you get an invite?" asked Andy, struggling with a new necktie in a +stiff collar. "Does she know you are coming?" + +"No, but the last time I saw Gertrude she invited me to call, though +she didn't set any time. It's time now, though, so it will be all +right. I want to get ahead of him, and I'll tell Mrs. Morton that she +needn't worry about those bonds, for dad will make them all right." + +"How do you know he will?" + +"Oh, I'm pretty sure. Anyhow, if he doesn't, I've got some money of my +own. I didn't spend all we got from the whale." + +"Me either. Say, but you're getting in deep, though. But I'm with you, +and if you need any cash--just call on me. I'd do a good bit to get +ahead of Old Thorny. But what do you think of the news Jack and Ward +brought?" + +"About the millionaire? I only hope it's true. It's about time +something was done for Riverview. Well, I'm ready. Come on." + +"Do I look all right?" Andy asked anxiously. + +"Sure, but what do you care?" + +"Oh, I thought you said that----" + +"Oh ho! I see! Well, maybe Grace will be there. Come on." + +It was but a short ride to Dailsburg on the trolley from Riverview, and +on the way Frank and Andy kept a sharp watch for Professor Callum. But +he was either ahead of or behind them. The latter, Frank hoped. + +Frank's ring at the bell of the Morton home was answered by Gertrude in +person. Her face, which bore a worried expression, lighted up at the +sight of him. + +"Oh, I'm very glad to see you!" she exclaimed. "Come in." + +"Andy is here too," said Frank, with a little laugh. + +"That's nice. Grace Knox is calling on me. You met her, I believe." + +"Yes, but, Miss Gertrude, is your mother in? I called partly on +business." + +"She is in, but she has a caller now. Professor Callum is in the +parlor." The boys could hear the rumbling of his crabbed voice. + +"Then I'm too late!" said Frank quickly. + +"Too late? What do you mean?" asked Gertrude. + +"I heard him talking to one of the other teachers to-day," said Frank, +"and I guessed that he was coming here. I want to tell your mother that +I'm going to have my father take up the matter of the bonds or stocks +at once. I know he can get her some money for them so she won't have +to worry any more about not being able to pay Old Thorn--I mean Mr. +Callum. I hurried here hoping to get ahead of him, so she wouldn't be +insulted by him. She could tell him that arrangements were being made +to sell the bonds." + +"But are you sure of this?" asked Gertrude, a look of hope coming into +her face. "We have been so often disappointed, though we are sure the +bonds are perfectly good. I would not want to raise false hopes." + +"I am sure the bonds are good!" agreed Frank, "and I am sure we can get +money for them. Andy and I know something about finance." + +"That's right," said the younger brother with a wise nod of his head. + +"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed the girl. "I'll tell mamma at once. I wish +you had gotten here before he did," and she nodded in the direction +of the parlor, "as I know mamma is very much distressed about the +matter, and this interview is sure to give her a headache. Mr. Callum, +in his usual rough way, made a demand for the money at once. He even +threatened to sell our little home if we didn't pay. I'm going to see +if I can get a chance to tell mamma. Come in, I'll take you to Grace, +and she can entertain you until I come back." + +Andy blushed when presented to the pretty companion of their young +hostess, but he soon recovered his usual spirits and gave a laughable +account of a joke he had played at school that day. The young people +were getting on well together when Gertrude entered the dining-room, +followed by her mother. + +"Oh, do you think there is really a chance?" asked Mrs. Morton, when +Frank and Andy had been introduced, and the elder lad had explained his +project. + +"I am pretty sure," he answered. "If you will let me see the bonds I +will write my father about them." + +The securities which Mrs. Morton brought out, explaining that she +had excused herself from the professor for a time, proved to be in +a well-known industrial concern that, while it manufactured a good +product, yet had been in hard luck of late. + +"I believe those will prove valuable sooner or later," said Frank. +"I'll write to father at once. Meanwhile you might tell Professor +Callum that he will soon get his money." + +"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed gratefully. "I cannot thank you +enough." She hurried back into the room, whence soon came the +protesting voice of the crabbed instructor. Mrs. Morton could be heard +reassuring him. The young people were gaily talking. + +Suddenly the door of the parlor opened and the professor came out, +followed by Gertrude's mother. + +"It is of no use!" the man exclaimed. "I will take no more promises. +I came here to-night determined to get the money, and I will have it. +Unless it is paid shortly I shall take means to levy on this property +and have it sold at auction to satisfy my claim. You said you have been +told that the bonds are good. But why don't you tell me who says this? +Why are you so secretive about it?" + +Frank had thought it best not to have Mrs. Morton mention his father's +name in the matter as yet. + +"Why don't you tell me who says the bonds are good?" demanded Mr. +Callum. + +"I am not allowed to--just yet." + +"Humph! I thought so. It's all bosh. I----" + +Just then the angry professor caught sight of Frank and Andy. The +expression of his face, when he saw two of his students whom he +supposed safe in their dormitories, now several miles away, can well be +imagined. His jaw dropped and his eyes opened wide. + +"What! You--you here?" he gasped. "How dare you?" + +"I don't see why we dare not call on our friends," said Frank coolly. + +"You dare to leave the school grounds after hours!" stormed the +professor. "You shall be severely punished for this! I have been +suspecting you Racer boys for some time, and now I have caught you. You +shall suffer for this. Where's my hat? I am going back to Riverview at +once to report you!" + +He strode out of the room, while Frank and Andy gazed blankly at each +other. + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT + + +The door slammed behind Professor Callum. It seemed to break the spell +of silence that hung over all. + +"Oh, what a mean man!" exclaimed Grace Knox. + +"Isn't it a shame!" echoed Gertrude. + +"I'm so sorry on account of you boys," spoke Mrs. Morton. "It was fine +of you to come to offer help, but you never thought of being caught, I +dare say." + +"Oh, yes we did," spoke Frank. "We always take that chance when we run +the guard. But it doesn't matter." + +"What will he do to you?" Mrs. Morton wanted to know. + +"Oh, make us do a lot of lines in Latin prose," answered Andy. + +"Then you won't be expelled?" asked Grace. + +"No danger of that," laughed Frank. "They need all the students they +can get at Riverview. But I wouldn't like dad and mother to hear that +we were reported, especially when it isn't for anything very wrong." + +"If you could only get back to the school before he does, you might +be in your rooms, and he would hardly know whether he saw you here or +not," said Miss Gertrude with a mischievous smile. + +"But they can't," said her mother. "Mr. Callum will catch the next +trolley, and there isn't another for an hour." + +There was an apprehensive silence. Then Grace Knox cried: + +"I have it! The very thing! If you got in ahead of him, could you get +to your rooms quietly?" she asked. + +"I guess we could manage it," declared Frank with a look at his brother. + +"Then here is my plan. You can't hope to get in ahead of him on the +trolley, but you can in an auto." + +"Where can we get an auto?" asked Frank eagerly. + +"My brother has one. It's speedy, and in good running order. I'll +telephone and have him bring it over here and he can run you to +Riverview in a few minutes. Then----" + +"Leave the rest to us," said Andy with a chuckle. + +The home of Miss Knox was not far from the Morton house, and Grace's +brother Will was soon on hand with the car. He laughed when the need of +haste was explained to him, for there had been no time in summoning him +by telephone to tell why he was wanted. + +"It'll be a good joke," he said. "I wish I was at school again." + +"We're a thousand times obliged to you," said Frank, as they started +off after saying good-bye to the girls, and after Frank had renewed his +promise about the bonds. + +It was a quick run to the school, and the boys asked Will Knox to stop +the car a short distance from their dormitory so that no one would hear +the noise of the engine. + +"Think you can get in?" he asked, as he prepared to turn back. + +"Sure," whispered Frank, as he and his brother moved forward in the +darkness. It was comparatively an easy matter to effect an entrance to +the dormitory. Like many other things about the school, the door locks +were broken, so the lads had no difficulty in swinging back a side +portal. Then, removing their shoes, they went softly to their rooms. + +"Thorny isn't back yet or we'd hear a commotion," was Frank's opinion, +with which Andy agreed. + +They lost no time in undressing and getting into bed. Then they waited +the arrival of the crabbed teacher, which they felt could not be long +delayed. + +They were just beginning to get drowsy, in spite of the excitement of +the evening, when they heard voices and steps in the corridor of the +lower story. + +"There he is!" exclaimed Andy. + +"Sure. Keep quiet," advised Frank. + +"I tell you they are out!" they heard Mr. Callum saying. "I saw them +over in Dailsburg not an hour ago. It is impossible for them to have +returned. I caught the first car back." + +"But I hardly understand how they could have been out," answered a +voice which the boys recognized as that of Professor Dickson. "I have +heard no one enter or leave the building since the hour struck." + +"Humph! You don't know those boys," said the crabbed instructor +sneeringly. "We will go to their room, and find it vacant." + +"Wait and see," murmured Frank. + +The footsteps approached their apartment. The boys could hardly keep +from laughing, but somehow they managed it. So confident was Mr. Callum +of finding our heroes out that he did not knock, but entered at once. +Frank had been careful to leave the door unlocked. + +"Now we shall see!" exclaimed Mr. Callum in triumph, as he lighted the +gas. "I will go at once and report to Dr. Doolittle that----" + +He stopped in confusion, for looking at him from their respective +pillows were the boys he had thought in Dailsburg. + +"What--how come you--what are you doing here?" stammered the surprised +professor. + +"Why, this is our room," spoke Frank innocently. "We always sleep here, +Mr. Callum. Did you want us?" + +"Want you? You--you--What were you doing in Dailsburg this evening?" he +almost shouted. + +"Were we in Dailsburg to-night?" asked Frank innocently of his brother. + +"Hum!" mused the younger lad, as if trying to remember. "Perhaps we may +have been." + +"Enough of this nonsense!" exclaimed the professor. "I know that you +were, and you shall be punished for it. Professor Dickson, remain here +on guard, and I will go summon Dr. Doolittle." + +"Oh, will it not keep until morning?" the mathematical instructor +wanted to know. + +"Not with such boys as we have to deal with," was the snarling answer. +"I want them punished." Probably it was as much because of their +interference in the professor's money matters, as because of their +breach of the rules that the lads were to suffer. + +"And you say you met them in Dailsburg, and yet found them in bed when +you arrived?" our heroes presently heard the voice of Dr. Doolittle +asking, as he accompanied Mr. Callum along the hall. + +"That is correct, sir." + +"Might you not possibly be mistaken?" + +"In regard to what?" + +"Why, Professor Callum, you might not have seen the Racer boys in +Dailsburg." + +"Humph! I am _sure_ I did. You might as well say they are not in +their beds at this moment." + +The venerable head of the school entered the apartment of Frank and +Andy. Mr. Callum with a look of triumph on his face followed. + +"Has the physician seen them?" asked Dr. Doolittle vaguely, reaching +for Andy's pulse. "Are you in much pain now, my boy?" + +"Pain?" gasped Andy. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon. It is my absent-mindedness I'm afraid," +explained the master. "I thought I had been called to see you because +you were ill. I remember now. It was because--really, Professor Callum, +I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to tell me why you summoned me. I +have forgotten." + +"It was because these boys were out after hours without permission!" +exclaimed the irate instructor. + +"Is this true, boys?" asked the doctor a bit sternly. He never doubted +the word of a student. + +"Yes, it's true," said Frank. "We had very important business in +Dailsburg, and----" + +"Well, as long as you found them in when you returned, and as long as +Professor Dickson, who, I understand, had your place as in charge of +the dormitories, did not see any breach of the rules, I think we will +overlook it this time," said the doctor kindly. "I have another matter, +about which----" + +"But I can't understand how they got here!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. + +"Perhaps it was all an optical illusion," suggested Professor Dickson. + +"Sir! Do you wish me to disbelieve the evidence of my own eyesight?" +demanded Mr. Callum pompously. + +"No, of course not," answered the doctor, rubbing his thin white hands +vigorously. "But we will regard the case as settled. Go to sleep, boys. +It is late. And, professors, perhaps a happier day is dawning for old +Riverview. My friend, Mr. Lairman, the millionaire, is going all over +the grounds with me to-morrow and he will then give his decision about +investing in a half interest. I am sure he will, and then we will see +great improvements here. Come to my room and we will discuss them." + +"But----" protested Mr. Callum. + +"Oh, let the boys alone," urged Professor Dickson. "I think they played +a right smart trick, and I'd like to know how it was done." + +"I'll find out!" exclaimed Mr. Callum vindictively. "I will not let +this rest here." + +Their voices trailed off in an indistinct murmur, and Frank and Andy, +chuckling over the success of their plan, fell asleep. + +All over the school the next morning it was rumored that the +millionaire was "sizing things up." The boys saw him being escorted +over the unkempt campus, out on the neglected diamond and gridiron, +about through the buildings sadly in need of repair, and toward the +ruined boathouse. + +"Say, I hope he sets aside a fund for a shell the first thing he does!" +exclaimed Frank. + +"Yes, and he ought to endow a football team. We'd be right in it then!" +declared Austin Vedder. + +"And have the diamond put in shape ready for next season," added Sam +Shull. + +"Oh, it's great to be a millionaire!" declared Jack. + +It is doubtful if many lessons were well recited that day, as so much +interest was taken in the visit of the rich man. He was escorted about +by Dr. Doolittle, who seemed to think that the troubles of Riverview +were about over. The visitor was entertained by the doctor that +evening, leaving at a late hour. + +But there was a rude awakening the next day. Professor Callum presided +at chapel in place of the venerable doctor. + +"I regret to say," spoke the unpopular teacher, "that Dr. Doolittle is +not well this morning. He has had a great disappointment. I presume +some of you have heard of the prospects for an endowment of this +school. Those hopes are at an end. The gentleman concluded not to +invest." + +That was all that was said, but it was enough. + +"Good-bye to our diamond," murmured one lad. + +"No football this year," added another. + +"I guess we'll have no crew," came from Frank. + +"Silence!" exclaimed Professor Callum. "You will go to your classes." + +And the boys, with lagging feet and with sorrowful faces, went. Their +hopes had been raised only to be dashed to the ground. Old Riverview +Hall looked more seedy and gone to ruin than before. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + THE OLD SHELL + + +"Say, isn't it tough luck?" + +"It sure is." + +"And just after we thought things were going so nicely." + +"Old Thorny seems glad of it." + +"That's because he doesn't take any interest in sport." + +"But Dr. Doolittle is pretty well broken up." + +"Sure thing. It's hard for him." + +The above conversation was going on among a group of Riverview Hall +students several days after the events narrated in the last chapter. In +fact following the disappointing visit of the millionaire little else +had been talked about. Our two heroes and their chums were in the group. + +"I heard," remarked Jack Sanderson, "that the reason Mr. Lairman backed +down was because the school was so slow." + +"Slow? How do you mean?" asked Frank Racer. + +"I mean in regard to athletics. He wasn't so much impressed by the +buildings being out of condition and all that, but I hear that when +he saw the diamond all overgrown with weeds, and the gridiron all but +invisible, and the boathouse a wreck, he threw up the sponge." + +"I don't blame him," remarked Andy. "It's partly our fault. We fellows +ought to do something." + +"But what can we do?" asked Ward Platt. "We can't start a football +eleven without some money, and I know I can't put up much cash." + +"We don't need much," insisted Andy. "We ought to be able to get up +some sort of a crew or eleven and challenge Waterside Hall or Milton +Academy." + +"What! Challenge those fellows?" cried several. + +"Yes, why not?" Frank wanted to know, with an air of quiet +determination. + +"They'd only laugh at us," was Jack's opinion. + +"Let 'em laugh then," said Andy. "We can stand it if they can. Say, +you fellows may be used to this sort of thing," and he waved his hand +around the diamond, over which they were walking, "but my brother and I +are not. We're used to doing things; eh, Frank?" + +"That's what. And we'll do 'em now. If there was only some way we could +get up a contest. Isn't there an old football around here?" + +"I have one," said Ward, "but it's a little warm to even practice +to-day. It's better suited to rowing." + +"Can't row when you haven't a shell," said Frank. "Get the ball, and +we'll have a little fun anyhow." + +Soon afterward twenty-two lads, who had donned old clothes, for there +was not a football suit in the whole school, were kicking an old ball +about, falling on it, running with it, and doing their best to play a +regulation game. It was hard, as few save Frank, Andy and their two +chums knew the rules, but they soon warmed up and were very much in +earnest. + +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed Dr. Doolittle a short time after this, as +he was crossing the campus with Professor Callum. "What are the boys +doing?" + +"Playing football it seems," answered the crabbed instructor with a +sarcastic laugh. "They might better be at their studies." + +"Oh, boys must play," said the good doctor with a sigh. "But I did not +know they had an eleven. It is almost--like old times." + +"It isn't a regular team," explained the professor. "I fancy it is some +of the doings of those Racer boys." + +"The more credit to them. They are manly chaps. I am sorry they were +ill the other night." + +"Ill!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "They were----" + +"Oh, yes, I remember now. You told me they were out after hours without +permission. I can't understand it--can't understand it," and the doctor +walked on, slowly nodding his head and thinking of many things, chief +among which was where he could raise the money to pay many pending +bills. + +"That's the best fun we've had in a long time!" panted Jack, when the +impromptu game was over. + +"Yes, let's have it again to-morrow," added a well-built lad who had +been playing center. + +"I'm glad you Racer boys came here. You're waking us up," was a third +comment. + +"Wait; we haven't begun yet," said Frank with a laugh. "Have we, Andy?" + +"That's right. I have a whole barrel of jokes yet that I haven't +unpacked. Wait a bit." + +"Better go slow on the jokes," warned his brother when they were alone. +"Old Thorny is just waiting for another chance at us, and when it +comes, as it's almost sure to, we won't get off so easy." + +"Oh, don't borrow trouble," advised Andy with a laugh. + +"I wish we could borrow a shell, or some kind of a boat to race in," +went on Frank. "Come on down to the river. Bill Spalter isn't using +his boat, and we'll have a little row. We will have time just before +supper." + +"I'm with you. Go ahead." + +They went down the river about a mile and rowed back at such speed as +"the tub" was limited to. + +"It's a pity there aren't any more boats around here," Frank remarked +to Bill, as they tied up his craft. "What became of the racing shells +they used to have when this school was in its prime?" + +"Racing shells!" exclaimed Bill with a laugh. "They don't last many +seasons. But I think there's an old one around here somewhere." + +"There is?" cried Frank eagerly. + +"Where is it?" demanded Andy. + +"Well, the last I seen of it she was over in the old barn, up overhead +on some beams. I don't believe it's any good, though. It's a four-oared +one, and was quite fast in its day." + +"Let's go have a look at it," suggested Frank. + +"Come on, Andy. We've got time." + +"It's too dark," objected his brother. + +"Here's a lantern," suggested Bill. "I'd be glad to see some life about +this place. Maybe they'd raise my wages then. The shell is in the big +barn, not the little one." + +Very eager over the unexpected news they had heard, Frank and Andy +hurried on, swinging the lighted lantern. + +"What's up?" a voice hailed them. + +"They're two Diogenes chaps looking for a dishonest man," said another. + +"There's Jack and Ward," said Andy. "Shall we tell 'em?" + +"Sure." Thereupon the two chums were let into the secret. + +"I'm afraid a shell that's been in the barn several years isn't much +good," was Jack's opinion. + +"Maybe we can fix it up," said Ward, more hopefully. + +The boys found the shell covered with dust, hayseed and odds and ends +of refuse. Eagerly they flashed the light of the lantern upon its +slender outlines. + +"It was a beaut in it's day," was Frank's opinion. + +"Yes, and I think we can patch it up and use it," declared Andy, who +knew almost as much about boats as did his brother. "We'll have a shell +yet." + +"Do you really think you can?" inquired Jack, eagerly. + +"It's worth trying," said Frank, after another critical inspection. "I +wish we had it on the ground and it was daylight, I think----" + +"Cheese it!" Andy interrupted him. "Someone is coming along the path." + +"It's old Thorny," said Ward, after a look out of an upper window. + +"By Jove! Just my luck!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper. + +"What's the matter?" Ward inquired. + +"I've just thought of a dandy trick to play on him. Will you fellows +help?" + +"Another trick!" half groaned Frank, who knew his brother's failing. + +"Are you game?" demanded Andy of the two new chums. + +"Sure," said Jack. + +"Lead on," came from Ward. + +"Then draw hither and list, my brave comrades," whispered the younger +Racer lad as they gathered about the lantern. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + THE DISCOVERY + + +"What are you going to do?" demanded Frank. "Nothing that we can get +caught at, I hope." + +"Nixy," replied Andy. "You see, he's coming this way, and he's all +togged up--even to his tall hat." + +"Maybe he's going calling," suggested Jack. + +"He won't, after we get through with him," went on the younger brother. +"I saw a basket full of chaff and bran over there in the corner. Now +what I'm going to do is to put it on the edge of this low door through +which they used to take in the hay. Just when Old Thorny gets under it +that basket will fall, and----" + +"You mean it will be pushed--it won't fall," suggested Ward. + +"Well, what's the difference?" asked Andy, "as long as the chaff goes +all over Thorny?" + +"I suppose we'll have to do it," spoke Frank with a sigh. "But we +haven't much time. He's nearly here." + +"Time enough," came from Andy. "He's walking slowly. I guess he's +thinking up some new kind of torture to inflict on us. This bran and +chaff won't hurt him, but it will be mighty inconvenient, sifting down +inside his clothes." + +It did not take the lads in the old barn loft very long to bring the +basket of chaff from the obscure corner where Andy's sharp eyes had +seen it. It was poised on the edge of the open doorway beneath which +the unpopular professor would soon pass. It was now quite dark in the +loft, the lantern not giving much illumination, but this exactly suited +the boys, as they did not want to be detected. + +"All ready," said Andy, when the basket had been put in place. "Where +is he?" + +"Look out and see," advised Frank. "It's your joke." + +"No, you look," urged Andy. "I'm going to do most of the work, anyhow. +I'm going to push the basket." + +"I'll take a peep," volunteered Jack. "He can't see us, I guess." + +He peered out of the low hay door, and a moment later drew in his head +quickly. + +"He's standing still," the spy reported, "and he seems to be studying +the stars." + +"Gee! I hope he doesn't turn back," exclaimed Andy. "Look out, Ward. +You'll have me in the basket in a moment." Ward had changed his +position, and had jostled up against Andy. + +"There I go!" exclaimed the younger lad a moment later as he lost his +balance and fell forward. His hands went into the basket of chaff up to +his elbows and there was a struggle before he recovered himself. + +"Cheese it, you fellows, or he'll hear you!" hoarsely whispered Frank. +"Here he comes!" he added a moment later after a quick observation. +"Get ready to tip it, Andy!" + +The younger lad, who was vigorously brushing the chaff and bran from +his clothes, moved a little nearer the door. Then, by leaning out; he +had a glimpse of Mr. Callum. The instructor was just then immediately +beneath the opening. The new moon, for it was now quite dark, glistened +on his shiny silk hat and Andy could see that Mr. Callum had on his +best clothes. + +An instant later the basket of dry and dusty chaff and bran went +toppling out, and fell like a miniature snow storm all about the +teacher. In a moment he was covered from head to foot with the stuff, +while the basket itself, turning upside down, was inverted over his +head, silk hat and all. + +"Oh wow!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper. "It worked like a charm. Listen +to him!" + +From below came a confusion of sounds. + +"Help! Thieves! I'm attacked! Help! What has happened? The barn has +toppled over!" + +"His hat is smashed!" exulted Andy. + +"Come on!" suddenly exclaimed Frank. "We've got to get out of here or +he'll be up." + +Indeed it was high time, for Professor Callum, after the first shock, +was beginning to reason out certain things. Baskets of chaff did not +fall from the hay windows of deserted barns without some human agency, +he reflected. + +"Who did that? Who is up there?" he demanded, gazing upward as well as +his eyes, smarting from the chaff, would let him. "I insist on knowing." + +"It's us for the tall timber," said Andy in a whisper. "Douse the glim +and go down the rear ladder." + +In an instant the loft was in darkness and the boys were cautiously +stealing down. Fortunately there were two ways of descending, which +fact the wily Andy had taken note of before perpetrating his joke. +Otherwise the plotters would have been caught, for when they were half +way down the rear ladder, they heard the irate professor mounting by +the front stairs. He was muttering indignantly: + +"This is an outrage! I know it was some of those rascally students! If +I can only catch them I'll have them expelled! It's outrageous!" + +"Hurry up!" whispered Jack, who was in the rear of the retreating +procession. + +"Keep quiet!" whispered back Andy. "He's got sharp ears." + +"Who is there?" suddenly demanded the professor. He had evidently heard +the voices, cautious though they were. + +The boys at once stood still. Not a sound was audible in the old barn +for perhaps half a minute. Then the instructor advanced and under +cover of the noise he made the lads completed their retreat. They were +soon speeding back to the school in the darkness and a little later +they were at supper where they talked of many things, including the +discovery of the old shell. + +"Oh, you fellows can never get that in shape," said Burnam Foster, one +of the seniors. "They had that on the water before I came here, and +that's four years ago. It will leak like a sieve." + +"We can calk it," declared Frank, and the enthusiastic talk went on. +Opinion was divided. Some thought that it was possible to get the shell +in shape, but the great majority declared that it was useless to try. + +"Nothing ever happens for any good at Riverview," declared one lad. +"The school has the dry rot." + +"It did have," remarked Jack Sanderson significantly, "but we've found +some sound wood that we're grafting on," and he motioned to Frank and +Andy, who, at that moment, were telling one of their chums about the +joke on Mr. Callum. + +"And where did you leave him?" Frank was asked. + +"Up in the barn, hunting for us. Has any one seen him since?" + +"I just saw him going to his room," answered the lad who was late to +supper. "He looked as if he'd been run over by an automobile on a dusty +road." + +"That's him all right," asserted Andy. "But come on, Frank, I want to +get off these old togs," for the lads were still in the clothes they +had used at the football game. + +The two brothers were walking along the corridor leading to their rooms +when they were surprised to see some one coming from their apartment. + +"Who's that?" whispered Andy. There was no need for his brother to +answer, for a moment later they saw that it was Mr. Callum. He was a +sorry-looking object, though he had succeeded in getting rid of most of +the chaff. At the sight of our heroes he stopped short and stared at +them. + +"I'm going to laugh!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper. + +"Don't you dare!" cautioned Frank. "Sneeze. Sneeze, I tell you!" + +Andy pulled out his handkerchief with a flourish and applied it to his +face preparatory to uttering a loud "A-ker-choo!" But there was no need +to imitate a sneeze, for instantly the air was filled with a white +cloud of dust which, getting up the noses of the two boys, as well as +that of the professor, caused a chorus of exclamations. + +And then, on the floor at Andy's feet appeared a neat little pile of +chaff and bran. It had sifted out of his pocket on the removal of the +handkerchief, having gotten in when he fell into the basket. + +For a moment Mr. Callum stared at the bit of mute evidence. Then he +glanced at his damaged hat and his whitened clothes. He darted a look +full of anger at the Racer boys and said: + +"Come with me to Dr. Doolittle! Come at once!" + +There was no choice but to obey, and Frank and Andy followed down the +corridor. + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + OUT IN THE SHELL + + +"Guess we're caught all right," whispered Frank to his brother. "Why +didn't you take that stuff out of your pocket?" + +"I didn't know it was in there. I don't care. We had to have some fun; +didn't we?" + +"There's your idea of it, Andy. You're always doing something. I wish I +hadn't consented to it. But we're in for it now." + +"Well, we won't squeal on the other fellows. We'll take our medicine +alone," said Andy grimly. + +"Of course," replied the older lad. + +By this time they were at the study of Dr. Doolittle. A soft light was +burning in the room, but the head of the school was not there. His +place was taken by his secretary. + +"I would like to see Dr. Doolittle on very important business--very +important," said Mr. Callum pompously. "It is an outrageous piece of +vandalism that I have to report." + +"I am very sorry," said Mr. Paterson, the secretary, quietly, "but Dr. +Doolittle does not wish to be disturbed. He is not feeling well." + +"I demand to see him! I want these two boys expelled at once," said the +instructor. "They have insulted me, damaged my clothing and spoiled a +new hat. I want them expelled." + +"Dr. Doolittle does not want to be disturbed," repeated Mr. Paterson. +"The recent disappointment about not getting more capital for the +school has told heavily on him, Professor Callum." + +"I know, but that does not affect this case. He must take some notice +of it, and act at once on my complaint. These boys can not remain in +the school another day. Either they leave or I do!" and he shook an +accusing finger at the brothers. + +"I will take a note of what you wish to say," went on the secretary, +who, in spite of his youth, did not seem to fear the irate professor. +"I will give it to Dr. Doolittle in the morning." + +"I want to see him now." + +"He is not to be disturbed," was the quiet answer. "Will you give me +the facts?" + +It was only after much grumbling that Mr. Callum reduced his complaint +to writing. He told of the upsetting of the basket of chaff on his +head, and how he had discovered the tell-tale evidence in Andy's +pocket. He ended by making another demand for their dismissal. +Evidently he did not suspect any other lads of having had a hand in the +joke. + +"Very well," said the secretary, "I will give this to Dr. Doolittle in +the morning. Have you boys anything to say?" + +"I--we--that is I--" began Andy stumblingly. + +"We have nothing to say now," interrupted Frank quickly, while the +professor glared at them. + +"Then Dr. Doolittle will send for you when he wants you. That is all +now." + +Still muttering threats against our heroes the professor withdrew, and +the lads slowly followed. + +"What was your idea in not saying anything?" asked Andy of his brother +as they once more went toward their rooms. + +"Why, don't you see? Poor Doc is off his feed. He's all knocked out +on account of this disappointment, and he doesn't care whether school +keeps or not. He won't pay any attention to Old Thorny's complaint and +we'll get out of it. Not that I'm anxious on that account, for I don't +believe he'd punish us much. But there's no use running your head into +danger that you can keep out of. You'll see, that complaint will go +under a mass of papers on the doctor's desk, and I doubt if he'll ever +see it. The secretary's talk about him not feeling well gave me the +tip." + +"Good for you! But old Thorny won't let it drop." + +"I don't suppose he will. But what can he do if the Doc won't pay any +attention to him? Take it from me Doc doesn't like Callum any more than +we do and he knows we fellows are down on him. If Doc wants his school +to be popular he'd better drop old Thorny." + +"But even if Dr. Doolittle doesn't take any notice of the complaint and +punish us, old Thorny will have it in for us in class." + +"He has anyhow, so it won't be anything new. All we've got to do is not +to give him any more chances at us than possible. I wish this hadn't +happened, but since it has we'll make the best of it." + +"It was you fellows' fault for shoving me into the basket of chaff," +declared Andy with an injured tone. "Otherwise none of it would have +gotten into my pocket and he wouldn't have suspected." + +"Oh, well, what's the use of kicking? That's the way with most of your +jokes--there's a slip-up somewhere." + +"Oh, you get out! If you played as many jokes as I do some of yours +would slip up once in a while, you old skate!" + +Andy aimed a playful punch at his brother which the latter dodged, and +at once there was a friendly scuffle in the hall outside of their room. + +"Here! Here! That will do! You boys are a disgrace to the school!" +exclaimed a rasping voice and the sour face of Professor Callum glared +at them. "Stop it at once, or I shall report you again." + +"Say, isn't he the limit!" exclaimed Andy, as they went inside. "I'd +like to do something else to him." + +"Oh, for cats' sake--quit," begged his brother. "I'm going to study." + +Then quiet reigned in the little room and the boys were more or less +industrious over their books. + +As Frank had predicted, Dr. Doolittle said nothing to them about the +complaint. In fact he did not appear at chapel the next morning, and +though Mr. Callum, who presided, glared at our heroes, and acted very +much as if he would have liked to censure them before the whole school, +it was an authority he dared not yet assume. But he took it out of them +in class, however, where he called on them more frequently in Latin +than on any of the other pupils. Fortunately Andy and Frank were well +prepared in anticipation of this and did not fail. + +"Humph! You are improving, considering the disgraceful manner in which +you behave," said the teacher grimly, as he dismissed the class. + +"That's all right. You didn't manage to keep us in," remarked Andy in a +low voice to his brother as he glanced at the teacher. + +"And we can get at the shell, and see if we can patch it up," said the +elder brother. "Come on, Jack and Ward. Let's have a look at it by +daylight." + +It was rather a sorry-looking rowing craft that was taken down +from the barn loft a little later. It needed many repairs. Some +of the outriggers were bent and one was broken. But the boys were +enthusiastic, especially Andy and Frank, and they managed to infuse +some of their spirit into their companions. + +"We can fix it!" declared Frank. "All it needs is a few patches, and to +have the outriggers fixed. I wonder where the oars are?" + +"There used to be some overhead in the boathouse," said Bill Spalter. +"Maybe they're there yet." + +"Only two that are any good," reported Jack, after an investigation. +"We'll have to raise money for the others. And I'm broke." + +"Same here," added Ward ruefully, "though my allowance is due in about +three weeks." + +"I fancy we have a few cents left," spoke Frank. "We haven't used +up all our whale prize money yet," and they explained how they had +secured the funds. + +The next week was a busy one, for every moment they could spare from +their lessons our heroes and their chums were busy working over the old +shell. Two new oars had been purchased, Frank and Andy advancing the +money, and they also supplied enough to purchase material for repairs. + +"Well, we've got a crew at last," remarked Frank one night, when the +four boys were gathered in the room of the Racer boys. + +"But we don't know what kind it is," said Jack. "We ought to go for a +trial spin." + +"Yes, the shell is ready for the water now," spoke Andy. "How about a +trial to-morrow afternoon, Frank?" + +"I can't go then, but I can the next day. I have a date for to-morrow." + +"Out at Dailsburg, I'll wager," exclaimed his brother. + +"Yes, I've heard from dad about those bonds and he's going to try to +sell them. I want to get them and send them on. But the next day will +be time enough. I want to let Mrs. Morton know as soon as possible." + +They talked of racing and other matters, of the prospect of a match +with Waterside, and whether or not a football team could be organized +with the raw material available. Then came the striking of the warning +hour that marked the close of the time when visits might be paid. + +"Time for us to skip, unless we want Thorny after us," said Jack. +"Heard anything more about his kick on the chaff?" + +"No, though he's been after Doc about it. You see he hasn't really any +good evidence against me, and he knows it," said Andy. "Just because I +had some chaff in my pocket doesn't say I did it." + +"That's right--any more than it proves that I'm a horse because I slept +in a stable and caught cold," put in Jack with a laugh. "Well, so-long, +fellows," and the callers were gone. + +A little additional patching was done to the shell the next day by +Andy, Ward and Jack. Frank went off to Dailsburg, promising to come +back early. But it was late when he got in, and he just escaped being +caught by a monitor. + +"What'd you do; stay to grub?" asked Andy, half complaining. + +"Yes, they asked me to." + +"Did you get the bonds?" + +"Yes, and I'm going to mail them to dad. How's the shell?" + +"Ready for the race. Are you going to challenge Waterside?" + +"Sure, as soon as I see how you and I and Jack and Ward row in it. I +don't hear that any of the other fellows want to try, so I guess we'll +have to be the crew." + +"Sure thing. Say, the football fellows are keeping right on with their +practice." + +"Glad to hear it. We may be able to get up an eleven after the rowing +stops. But it will cost a heap sight more to get the gridiron in shape +than it did to fix up the old shell. However, something may turn up. +Did anything happen while I was gone?" + +"Oh, I had a little run-in with Luke Moss, Welter's crony. He +threatened to punch my head." + +"I'd like to see him try it," said Frank half-savagely. "Well, I've got +to do some studying." + +Quite a crowd assembled at the river's edge the next day to see the +repaired shell put in the water. Word had gone round that there might +eventually be a race with Waterside and the boys were all anxious to +see Frank and his chums in the try-out. + +"Jove! It doesn't seem possible that old Riverview is really going to +be represented in athletics at last," remarked a senior. + +"Oh, it will be a hot representation if the Racer boys are in it," +sneered Welter, but no one paid much attention to him. + +"Look out how you get in her," advised Frank, when he had taken his +place in the frail shell. "Don't upset her." + +"It's so long since I rowed in one that I've almost forgotten how," +returned Jack. + +"Oh, well, it will come back to you," declared Andy. + +They were soon out in the stream, pulling well together, but slowly. +There was a cheer from the little group of schoolboys. Somewhat distant +from them stood two youths. They were Gerald Welter and his crony. + +"I suppose those Racer lads and the other two think they are the whole +cheese," sneered Luke. + +"Yes," agreed Welter, "but I'll take the starch out of them soon. There +won't be any racing in that shell." + +"Why, what are you going to do?" Luke wanted to know. + +"You'll find out pretty soon," muttered the bully. "I'm going to get +even with that Frank Racer and his brother if it's the last thing I do. +You'll see." + +Then the two unpopular lads walked off while the other students trailed +along the river bank, following the shell. + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + THE CHALLENGE + + +"Well, we didn't do so badly," remarked Frank, when the oarsmen had +returned to the float, and had carefully lifted out the shell. + +"Oh, it might have been worse," admitted his brother. + +"We didn't make very fast time," declared Jack. + +"And we didn't try for it," said Frank quickly. "We want to get so we +pull a good stroke together, and then we can hit up the pace." + +"I know one thing," said Ward quietly, "and that is that my feet are +wet." + +"Isn't that leak stopped up yet?" asked Frank in disappointed tones. +"We'll have to put some more daub on it. Let's do it right away before +we forget it." They set to work over the patched-up shell, surrounded +by a curious and admiring group of their companions. + +"When are you going to challenge Waterside?" asked one lad. + +"Oh, it's time enough to think of that," said Frank with a laugh. + +"And then I suppose you'll tackle Milton Academy," suggested another. +"They have a good crew in their four-oared shell." + +"Say, we've got to creep before we can row the other schools," replied +the elder Racer lad. "But if it's at all possible we'll challenge both +crews. There's no reason why Riverview shouldn't get back in the game +the same as she used to be." + +"That's the way to talk!" cried several. + +"I wish you'd get a football eleven started," spoke Jake Wilson. "Our +boys are beginning to wake up." + +"Perhaps we'll get at that after the rowing season ends," said Andy. +"There's a good gridiron here, but it needs fixing up." + +"So do the grandstands and dressing rooms," spoke one lad, waving his +hands toward the dilapidated structures. "We can't accommodate a crowd +on those seats." + +Frank said nothing. The task of rejuvenating such a run-down school as +Riverside was appeared almost hopeless. But he was not the sort of a +lad to give up so easily. + +The small leak was soon stopped. There might be others, and at best +the shell was but a makeshift, but it was a start and that counts for a +good deal in many things besides racing. + +In the room of our heroes that night there was quite a lively session +of the "crew" as the four chums had come to be called. Rowing in all +its phases was discussed and Jack brought out several books on the +subject, written by well-known school and college authorities. + +"Are you really in earnest about challenging Waterside?" asked Ward, +during a pause in the conversation. + +"I surely am," answered Frank. "I don't see why we shouldn't. We can +soon get in trim, and, while our shell isn't as good as theirs, it's +the rowing that counts, not the boat so much." + +"I doubt if they'll race us," said Ward. + +"Why not?" Andy wanted to know. + +"Oh, they'll say we're not in their class." + +"And that means they're afraid!" exclaimed Frank. "I think they'll +race us all right. Why, for the last few years it's been like a close +corporation--only Waterside and Milton in it. They ought to be glad of +a change." + +There came a knock on the door, and the boys jumped, from habit, as +much as from anything else. + +"Who's there?" asked Frank quickly. + +"Monitor Jones," was the answer. "The warning bell has rung some time +ago and I thought I'd let you know that Professor Callum is coming this +way on his rounds." + +"Thanks, Jonesy!" exclaimed Frank. "Much obliged. Scoot fellows!" he +said. "No use in getting caught if we can help it. Jonesy is a brick. +I'm going to give him a suit I've no use for. I saw him shivering out +on the field to-day." + +Jones was a lad who was "working his way" through the school by doing +some of the necessary monitor work. He was a tall, ungainly lad, who +made few friends, but he had taken a liking to the Racer boys, and +several times he had warned them of impending visits of the professors. +The "crew" quickly dispersed and when Professor Callum, hoping to catch +the lads whom he associated with his discomfiture, tiptoed to their +room, they were in bed. + +"Fooled again" chuckled Andy, as the irate instructor passed on to his +own apartment. + +"And the doctor hasn't said a word about the basket of chaff yet," +added Frank. "I guess he won't." + +Busy days followed. The "crew" went out to practice, rowing at every +opportunity. The shell sprung another leak, but it was fixed, and now +the frail craft, on which the hopes of the school depended, was in +fairly good shape. + +As yet none of the teachers, or Dr. Doolittle, had taken any interest +in the prospective race. I say prospective, for no challenge had yet +been sent to Waterside. It is doubtful with the many worries he had +whether Dr. Doolittle knew anything about the repairing of the shell. +Certainly Mr. Callum did not care one way or the other. + +Gradually Frank and his chums improved their form, until one afternoon, +following a practice spin, one of the seniors said: + +"Say, you fellows are all right. I had a chance to time the Waterside +four the other day over a two-mile course, and I just clocked you. You +had five minutes the better of them." + +"No! Really!" exclaimed Frank in delight. + +"Sure. Of course I'm not certain that they were rowing their best, but +that's the time." + +"Well, we haven't hit up the pace to our own limit yet," declared Andy. + +"No indeed!" exclaimed Jack. + +There was more practice, hard, grueling work, and at the end of another +week Frank announced that he was satisfied. By mutual consent he had +been made captain. + +"I'm going to write a challenge to Waterside to-night," he said. + +"Hurray!" cried his chums. + +The challenge was couched in rather mild terms as befitted a school +that had been out of the running for several years. But a chance to +show what they could do was respectfully asked, and it was intimated +that an early reply would be appreciated. + +"There, now I'll go down to the post-office and drop this in," said +Frank, when it had been finished to the satisfaction of all. + +As he dropped in the box the missive, which meant so much to Riverview, +Frank was aware of two girls hastening up the street toward the +post-office. As they came under a gas lamp he recognized them as +Gertrude Morton and Grace Knox. + +"Oh, Frank--Mr. Racer!" exclaimed Gertrude. "I am so glad I met you!" + +"Why, what is the matter?" asked the lad, for he was aware of a note of +trouble in her voice. + +"Everything!" she exclaimed. "I just came to post a special delivery +letter to you. I wanted you to get it the first thing in the morning, +and the mail at Dailsburg is so slow. We have just received word from +Professor Callum that he has started proceedings to take our home away +from us unless his debt is paid at once! Oh, what shall we do?" and +Gertrude began crying on the shoulder of her chum. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + AN INSULTING REPLY + + +Frank hardly knew what to do. He was not in the habit of seeing girls +cry, never having had any sisters, and the sight of a girl in whom he +was more than ordinarily interested weeping bitterly was rather too +much for him. + +"Oh now! Now!" he exclaimed a bit awkwardly. "I wouldn't do that if I +were you, Gertrude." + +"But what can I do?" she asked. "And if I don't do something our home +will be taken away from us! Mother is heart-broken, and she couldn't +think of anything. I thought of you, and how you had the bonds, and I +was wondering if we couldn't sell them quickly, even at a sacrifice, +and get some money with which to pay Professor Callum." + +"I--I just wish I had him here!" exclaimed Grace Knox. "I--I'd +_say_ something to him!" and she stamped her small foot on the +pavement. + +Frank was thinking quickly. Clearly the emergency called for some +action, but what he did not know. Matters seemed to be coming to a +crisis. + +"Perhaps Old Thorny is forcing things to get even with me, because he +knows I am interested in the Mortons," thought Frank. "Well, if he +wants to fight this way, making war on women and girls, I'm willing. +Let's see, what can I do?" + +"I--I hope you don't think it wrong of me to come to mail a letter to +you at night," said Gertrude, looking up through her tears. "Mamma +wrote it, and sent me to our post-office with it. Then I found I had +missed the mail, so I called up Grace and she and I took the next +trolley for Riverview." + +"It was the right thing to do," declared Frank. "I'm glad you did it. I +know what I'll do, I'll wire dad at once. It isn't so late but what I +can reach him, and he'll advise us what to do." + +"It seems very late," said Grace, for though it was but a little after +eight o'clock, people retired earlier in the country town than in the +city. + +"Oh, New York is just waking up," replied the lad. "My father and +mother are probably wondering what they shall do to spend the evening. +Come on down this street. The telegraph office is there, and on the way +you can give me the particulars." + +"There aren't many to give," replied Gertrude as she and her chum +followed the Racer lad. "We received notice from James Martin, a +lawyer, to-night that a suit to recover a certain sum had been started +against us by Mr. Callum. The lawyer said that unless we paid, judgment +would be obtained against us, and that he would at once proceed to +collect by levying on our house, whatever that means. He said we would +be without a home, and winter is coming on. Oh, isn't it terrible!" + +"Don't worry," said Frank soothingly. "Even if he was successful in +getting a judgment it would take a long while to put you out of your +home. But he's not going to do it. Here is the telegraph office. Now to +rush a wire to dad." + +The agent in the little office was rather surprised to see two pretty +girls and a tall lad, all very much excited, enter his place. But he +was used to all sorts of queer experiences, so he made no comments and +was soon clicking off the message that Frank wrote out. In brief it +told what had happened and asked for advice. + +"It will probably be half an hour before we can expect an answer," said +Frank, "perhaps longer. Suppose we go to a moving picture show? There's +a nice respectable one around the corner." + +"But won't you be staying away from school too long?" asked Gertrude. + +"No, I guess I can make it," replied the lad, though, truth to tell, he +was a bit anxious over the outcome. Still he was not going to admit it. + +There were several interesting views in the little theatre and the +girls and their escort enjoyed them very much. One showed the eight- +and four-oared shells of Waterside Hall rowing on the river. + +"Oh, aren't they just splendid!" exclaimed Grace. + +"Did you hear about our crew?" asked Frank, a bit put out at the +interest manifested in a rival school. + +"No. Have you one?" asked Gertrude, and when Frank told of sending the +challenge, she cried: "Oh, fine! We'll come to see the race; won't we, +Grace?" + +"I only hope they accept it," murmured Frank, while Gertrude's pretty +chum nodded. + +Shortly after that they hurried around to the telegraph office, and +there found awaiting them a reply from Mr. Racer. + + "Get Robert Bolton, a lawyer of Marsden, on the telephone," the + message said, "and have him take charge of the case for me. He has + handled some of my affairs before. Explain circumstances and ask him + to get as long a delay as possible. Have been unable to do anything + with bonds yet, but expect to soon." + +"Oh, perhaps he can't sell the bonds!" exclaimed Gertrude. + +"Well, if he can't, I know who can!" said Frank quickly. + +"Who?" asked the girl. + +"I--er--that is--I can find someone," he answered hesitatingly. He had +referred to himself and his brother, but he did not want Gertrude to +know that. "Now let's call up this lawyer," he said. + +Fortunately Mr. Bolton was at home, and as soon as the name of Mr. +Racer was mentioned he at once consented to take charge of the case. + +Frank arranged to have him call on Mrs. Morton in the morning, and then +sent another telegram to his father advising the silk merchant of what +had been done. + +"And be sure and sell those bonds, dad," was the way Frank ended up his +message. Mr. Racer laughed when he read it. + +"I guess our boy is getting quite interested in a certain party," he +remarked to his wife. + +"Goodness! He's too young!" exclaimed Frank's mother. + +"Well, I guess this is all that can be done to-night," remarked Frank, +as he came out of the telegraph office with the two girls. "Mr. Bolton +will call on your mother to-morrow." + +"Then we had better get home and tell her," spoke Gertrude. "Come, +Grace." + +"Wait. I'm not going to let you go alone!" exclaimed Frank. "We'll get +the next car for Dailsburg." + +"Oh, we couldn't think of letting you go with us!" objected Gertrude. + +"Why not?" + +"Because you will get back to school so late, and----" + +"We're not a bit afraid," protested Grace. + +"But I'm coming just the same," declared Frank calmly. "I'll manage +to get back to school somehow. I don't suppose Professor Callum is in +Dailsburg; is he?" and he laughed. + +"No, I fancy he is done paying us visits," replied Gertrude. "But I +wish you wouldn't come." + +"Really?" asked the lad. + +Gertrude did not answer and as the Dailsburg car came along just then +they all got aboard. A quick trip was made, and soon Frank was on his +way back to school. + +Truth to tell, he was a little nervous about being caught, and, as +it was, he nearly suffered that fate. He saw a prowling monitor, but +managed to elude him, and got in through a basement door that Flopps, +the gardener, sometimes obligingly left open. + +But Frank was no sooner in bed, having given a hasty account of his +adventures to Andy than there came a summons on the door. It appeared +that a number of boys had run the guard that night, and a general +"round-up" was in progress. Fortunately our heroes had "a clean slate," +to the obvious disappointment of Mr. Callum, who had hoped to catch +them. + +Frank received a note from Gertrude the next day stating that the +court proceedings had been started, but that Mr. Bolton had secured an +adjournment. + +"So there is no immediate danger," the girl wrote. "My mother and I +cannot thank you enough for what you and your father have done for us." + +Frank felt a warm glow about the region of his heart, and he carefully +put the letter away among some cherished possessions, including an old +baseball catching glove. + +"Well, how soon do you think Waterside will answer?" asked Jack +Sanderson a few days later, when, as yet, no reply had been received to +the challenge. + +"Oh, it can't be long now," answered Frank, as he helped to lift the +shell into the water. "We ought to hear to-day or to-morrow." + +Before the crew could row off a messenger from the school came hurrying +down to the river bank. In his hand he held a letter. + +"This just came!" he panted. "Special delivery. It's for Frank Racer." + +"Let's have it!" cried the young captain. "Maybe it's from dad." + +Hurriedly he read the few lines. His face went white and then flushed a +dull red. + +"Well, of all the insults!" he muttered. + +"What is it?" chorused his companions. + +"Look!" he said. "It's the reply of Waterside to our challenge for a +rowing race." + +His brother and his chums read this: + + "Replying to your favor of recent date in regard to our crew rowing + you in a four-oared shell race we beg to decline. Riverview isn't + in our class, and we don't wish to get the name of rowing with an + inferior school. You have no crew worthy of the name, and no decent + shell. We should be the laughing stock of the river if we entered + into a race with a one-horse school. There's nothing doing. + + "Yours, + "Athletic Committee." + +"Well, wouldn't that bend your outriggers!" cried Andy, while Frank +crumpled up the paper in his hand and ground it under his heel. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + A SCHOOL BATTLE + + +"Sure that isn't a fake?" + +"Did those fellows really write that?" + +"Maybe they're only trying to have some fun with us." + +These were some of the expressions, indignant and otherwise, that +greeted the reading of the insulting reply to the challenge Frank had +sent. + +"Oh, there's no doubt but what it's genuine," said the young captain of +the crew. "I didn't quite think it of those fellows, though." + +"Did you suspect that they might not give us a race?" demanded Jack. + +"I was a little afraid of it," answered Frank. "You see, we have been +out of it so long that really they don't know just how to place us. +In a way I suppose we can't blame them. It's just as if we were a +first-class team and some little kids' school should challenge us." + +"But we're not a 'kids'' school!" objected Ward. "We're in the same +grade with Waterside and Milton Academy." + +"Of course, and I thought the Waterside lads would have enough sporting +blood to see this. But evidently they don't," and Frank shrugged his +shoulders. + +"I guess all our work on it won't amount to anything," spoke Andy +ruefully. + +"Oh, we may get a race with some crew yet," said Frank cheerfully. +"Perhaps Milton Academy will take us on." + +"They're worse snobs than the lads of Waterside," declared Ward. + +Though Frank tried to assume a cheerful air it was evident that he was +much hurt. He and his brother and chums had worked hard to evolve a +crew out of almost nothing. They had succeeded and now their efforts +were scorned. + +Incidentally Frank learned that the refusal of the athletic committee +of Waterside to consent to a match was not upheld by all the pupils of +the influential school. The crew of the freshmen shell in particular +were in favor of having the 'varsity four take on the one from +Riverview. + +"I don't see what harm it would do," said Tom Crawford, the lad whom +Frank had saved. "I think some of the boys from Riverview are fine +fellows, especially the Racer brothers. Look what they did for me." + +"That's right," agreed Walter Sands, a member of the freshmen crew. +"If they'd row with our four shell they could have a race." + +"I don't suppose anything but the 'varsity would satisfy them," said +Tom. "Besides, though we don't agree with the committee, we can't go +against them, and have a rupture in our own school. It wouldn't look +well, no matter how we felt." + +So, as far as Waterside was concerned the matter was dropped and the +'varsity crew went on with its preparations for the final race with +Milton Academy--the race that was to decide the championship. But a +bitter feeling rankled in the hearts of the lads from Riverview. + +Frank and his chums still went out to practice in the days that +followed, but it was with little ambition that they sculled up and down +the river. Occasionally they had a glimpse of the Waterside 'varsity +four or eight, but they kept at a distance. + +"No use getting into a scrap," explained the young captain. + +Affairs at Riverview were going on much the same for our heroes, their +chums and the other pupils. Dr. Doolittle was more absent-minded than +ever and seemed laboring under a great strain. The boys felt sorry for +him. Professor Callum was still unpleasant, and lost no opportunity of +inflicting his wrath on Frank or Andy. + +It happened that a noted lecturer, who had traveled in many lands, had +returned with a series of moving pictures. He was billed to give an +entertainment in Marsden, a large town about midway between Riverview +and Waterside. + +"I don't see why we couldn't get up a crowd and take that in," said +Frank to Andy one afternoon, as he read the posters. + +"It ought to be interesting and instructive," said Andy. "Maybe if we +bring that last fact to the attention of Dr. Doolittle he might let a +lot of us go and stay out after hours. I've a good notion to ask him." + +"We will!" exclaimed Frank. "Things have been slow here lately. We'll +have to wake 'em up." + +The good doctor offered no objections when Frank spoke of the matter +and mentioned the fact that it would be in line with some of their +studies. + +"Go, by all means," said the head of the school, "as many of you as +care to." + +As might have been expected Professor Callum made strenuous objection +to the little excursion. + +"Such things should not be allowed!" he exclaimed. "I know those boys +will get into mischief. They should be in bed at night, not going to +moving picture shows." + +"Oh, well," said the doctor with a sigh, "I think it will do them +good. Let them go. Hereafter they may not have many opportunities of +going anywhere from Riverview." + +"Why, what is the matter?" asked the professor quickly, struck by +something in the president's voice. + +"I mean that I can't run the school much longer unless I get more +money. We may have to close soon after the Christmas holidays," and +shaking his venerable head Dr. Doolittle shut himself up in his study. + +Frank Racer made up a good-sized crowd to go to the lecture at Marsden. +The boys went on trolley cars and had much fun. It was quite an event +for them, and Frank and Andy, who had really been the moving spirits, +were cheered again and again. + +As the crowd of Riverview boys were piling into the hall Jack Sanderson +pulled Frank by the sleeve. + +"Look over there," he said. + +"What's up?" + +"There's a whole raft of fellows from Waterside Hall." + +"Well, what of it? This is a free country. I suppose they want to hear +the lecture as much as we do." + +"Yes, I was only thinking there might be trouble." + +"It won't be of my making. Go on in and sit down." + +It happened that the students from the rival schools sat on opposite +sides of the large hall, well apart, so there was not even an exchange +of words in the time that elapsed before the lecture began. After it +was started it proved of such interest that it is doubtful if any +student gave thought to the unpleasant incident of the rowing challenge +and its reply. The speaker, in fancy, took his hearers into many +strange lands and showed pictures of life there. + +As the crowd filed out, as might have been expected there was a +mingling of the students from the two schools. At first the lads, some +of whom knew each other, passed friendly greetings, and Frank, who had +feared there might be unpleasantness, began to feel reassured. + +The lads drifted out into a large square in front of the building where +the lecture had been given. It was not very late and there was no +special reason for hurrying back. There were some good-natured chaffing +on both sides, some laughter and inquiries after more or less popular +or unpopular instructors. Then, like a flash from a clear sky, someone +in the crowd of Waterside lads called out mockingly: + +"There are the dubs who think they can row!" + +He probably did not refer to Frank and their chums in particular, but +meant to include the whole school. For a moment there was a silence, +and then Jack Sanderson sang out: + +"Yes, and there are the dubs who don't know how to answer a challenge +in a gentlemanly way!" + +It was a direct call-down for the athletic committee, members of which +were present. + +Once more a silence and then there burst out many remarks and calls +from both sides, each one intended to be insulting. + +"Look at the aristocrats who row in kid gloves!" yelled a Riverview lad. + +"How did you farmers ever get time enough away from picking the +hayseeds out of your hair to come to town?" some Waterside wit wanted +to know. + +"Those are the fellows who sleep in silk pajamas!" was a Riverview +retort. + +"Ha! Down there at Riverview they haven't any blankets, so they sleep +in their clothes!" sneered a lad who evidently knew of the poverty of +the school of our heroes. + +The remarks were getting more and more personal. The tempers of the +lads on each side were rising. In vain did Frank, Andy and some of +the cooler-headed boys from Riverview go about trying to get their +companions to leave, or keep quiet. Some students from Waterside Hall +did likewise with their fellows, but it was useless. The students were +in fighting mood now. + +"You're afraid to row us!" taunted one Riverview lad. + +"Well, we're not afraid to fight you!" came the quick retort. + +That was the knocking of the chip from the shoulder, and in an instant +several lads had come to a fistic clash. Then as at the drop of the +hat, on every side there was a mêlée. Blows were given and taken, +landing with dull thuds. There were cries of pain and anger. + +"Riverview forever!" was the slogan. "Riverview to the bat!" + +"Give 'em all they want, Waterside!" came the angry shout. "Knock 'em +down and drag 'em out!" + +"Andy, where are you?" yelled Frank. + +"Right here!" + +"Keep close to me, and we'll get out of this. It may be serious." + +"What? Run? I will not! Wow! Someone hit me then, and I'm going to get +back at him. It was that big chap there." + +"Yes, and I'll soak you again!" answered the big fellow, aiming a blow +at Andy. + +"Oh, no you won't!" exclaimed Frank, and he promptly knocked down his +brother's assailant. + +The row was on in earnest now, and Frank and Andy, as well as Jack and +Ward, found that they had their hands full. It was quite dark, so one +could hardly see whether he was attacking friend or foe. But the fight +went on, growing more and more fierce. Several lads were knocked down +and trampled upon, and more than one had a bloody nose or a discolored +eye. The yells and shouts could be heard all over town. + +"Are you hurt, Andy?" panted Frank, who had managed to keep at the side +of his brother. + +"No, only I got a couple of good pokes. I gave 'em back, though." + +"Let's try and work out of this. The police may come at any moment, and +I don't want any of our friends to be locked up." + +But to get out of that mad, seething, surging crowd was easier said +than done. They were hemmed in and had to fight to keep their footing. + +Suddenly, above the excited cries and the shouts of many bystanders for +the police, was heard the ringing of the fire bell. Then the rumble and +whistle of the approaching engines were audible. For a moment there +came a lull in the desperate battle, but only for a moment. Then it was +resumed again. Not for a little thing like a fire would the students +stop fighting. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED + + +"Riverview lads this way!" + +"Over here, Waterside!" + +"Ready for a rush!" + +"Sweep 'em off their feet!" + +These were the rallying cries that followed the momentary lull in the +fighting. The students, who had their second wind, were preparing for +a rush that might have had serious results, when suddenly there came +a deluge of water. A spray of white shot into the air amid a puffing +sound and descended in a drenching shower on the fighting crowd. + +"Gee! it's raining!" + +"Wow! I'm soaked!" + +"It's the fire engines! They're turning the hose on us!" + +These yells were substituted for the battle cries. And it was true, two +powerful fire engines were squirting heavy streams on the belligerents. + +It was the most effective measure that could have been taken. The chief +of police, summoned by spectators of the big fight, and knowing that +with his few men he could not cope with hundreds of excited students, +had thought of the fire apparatus. + +"It will disperse them quicker than anything else, and I won't have to +disgrace them by making any arrests. Turn on plenty of water," said the +chief. + +And he had been obeyed. From two sides, taking them in front and at the +rear, the engines played until gasping, choking, struggling to maintain +their footing under the force of the streams, seeking to find a dry +place, the fighting students turned and ran for cover. + +"Riverview this way!" shouted Frank. "To the trolleys!" + +"Over here, Waterside!" came the answering call. + +"I guess they've had enough of river and water to-night," chuckled the +chief of police. "My! that was hot while it lasted! What was it all +about?" he asked of some of the bystanders who had been to the lecture +and had seen the start of the row. + +"Oh, it seems that Riverview challenged Waterside to a rowing race, and +the Waterside lads sent back an insulting answer." + +"Are they afraid to row the Riverview crowd?" asked the chief. + +"It looks so," was the reply. + +"It must be," said another man. "But I don't see what they're afraid +of. Riverview hasn't much of a crew of late years." + +"Still Waterside seems afraid," came the retort. + +Thus was sown a little seed that was destined to bear much fruit and +bring about a closer relation of the two schools. + +The talk of the chief and his friends was heard in the crowd and was +repeated. From mouth to mouth the news flew: + +"Waterside was afraid to row Riverview and that started the fight." +This rumor spread, gaining at each telling until it was heard by the +retreating lads from the school that had insulted our heroes' crew. + +"Afraid of those dubs?" cried one indignant and dripping Waterside lad. +"Not on your life!" + +"Then why don't you row them?" asked someone. + +"They're not in our class." + +"You're afraid, I guess." + +"We are not." + +"Then give them a race. That's the best way to prove it." + +"Oh, what do you know about it, anyhow?" and with this rather +ungracious retort the school lad hurried away to join his fellows. + +"Humph! I know enough to know when some people aren't getting a square +deal," said the man. "But Marsden certainly had her share of excitement +to-night. I guess I'll go to bed." + +While the lads from Waterside were making their way to their +meeting-place, which they had agreed upon when leaving the trolleys +to go to the lecture, the boys from the rival school were also +congregating in readiness for going back to their dormitories. In +consequence there was no further clash between the factions, for which +Frank and Andy were glad. + +"Say, what is this bunch, anyhow?" asked the conductor, as the wet and +dripping boys piled aboard his car. "Are you from some swimming school?" + +"No, we've just been showing the lads from Waterside how to behave," +spoke Andy. + +"Well, climb aboard, then," said the conductor. "But don't get any more +water in the car than you can help." + +It was a wet and weary crowd of students that alighted at Riverview +Hall a little later. Some were bruised from the conflict with their +rivals, many had fallen down and received cuts, while others were +shivering from their damp and soaked clothes. It was little consolation +to know that Waterside Hall students were in the same condition. + +"Did you hear how one man was rigging a fellow from Waterside about +them being afraid to row us?" asked Andy of Frank, as they sat +shivering in a corner of the car. + +"I sure did, but I don't think it will amount to much." + +"Not unless we can scare those fellows into giving us a race. How's +your nose?" + +"Oh, it hurts. How's your leg?" + +"I can walk on it, but that's about all. I'll be dead lame to-morrow. +Some fellow gave me a fierce kick." + +Then followed an exchange of experiences, in which the lads told how +they had been hurt and how they had given good returns in exchange. + +Fortunately, when they reached the school, Professor Callum was in Dr. +Doolittle's room, consulting him, and so the unpopular instructor did +not see the bedraggled group of students arrive. They hurried to their +apartments and got into dry clothes. + +Of course the next day the authorities at Riverview heard about the +riot. But as there were no individual complaints, and as no special +student's name was mentioned, no action was taken. + +Dr. Doolittle contented himself with cautioning the boys about getting +into conflicts with students from other schools. To this Professor +Callum could not help adding a word. He said he thought he would be +able to pick out the ring-leaders, and he warned them that unless they +mended their ways they would be expelled. + +"He means us," said Andy to Frank, as they filed out of the chapel. + +"Well, what's the odds?" asked the older lad. "He daren't make any open +remarks." So they let it go at that. + +Meanwhile there was much disturbance at Waterside. The lad who had been +taunted by the man in the crowd told his story, and there were storms +of protest at the implied accusation. + +"We're not afraid to row them!" declared the captain of the four. + +"Then why don't you do it?" Tom Crawford wanted to know. + +"They're not in our class." + +"That's a poor excuse. If you can beat them do it good and proper. Then +they won't want another race. Row 'em, is what I say." + +"Same here!" came from a number of others, until the 'varsity four, for +very shame's sake, was obliged to agree. + +"Well, we'll accept their challenge," declared the captain of the four, +after a hot discussion several days following the riot. "We'll give 'em +a race, but it will be a walkover for us." + +"Don't be too sure," said Tom Crawford, who had watched the improvised +crew of Riverview on the river. + +The surprise of Frank and his chums may be imagined when, a couple of +days later, they received a communication from Waterside. It was brief, +but to the point. + + "If you still wish to enter into a race with us," the letter said, + "we will accept your challenge. Our committee will meet with one + from your school to arrange details." + +"Well, wouldn't that jiggle your oars!" cried Andy. + +"It puts 'em just where we want 'em, though," declared Jack. + +"Yes, I guess we'll have a race after all," said Frank. "That +free-for-all fight wasn't so bad as it seemed." + +Soon the news of the coming race had spread all over Riverview Hall. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + PROFESSOR CALLUM SCORES + + +There was now some practicable object on the part of the crew of the +Riverview Hall four, as Frank and his chums had come to be called. +The date for the race had not been definitely fixed, but it could not +take place inside of two weeks, as Waterside was to row Milton for the +closing race of the season. + +"And if Waterside wins, which means that they will be the champions of +the river, and if we beat Waterside," said Andy, "it means that we'll +be the champions! Think of that!" + +"Wake up, you're dreaming!" said Jack. + +"Yes, turn over, you're on your back," added Ward. + +"Well, it's possible," declared Frank, "though I don't hope for any +such luck." + +"Don't you want to beat 'em?" asked Andy quickly. + +"Sure, but I'm afraid we can't." + +"That's treason!" declared Jack. + +"Well, we can train, for one thing," said Ward, "and I'm in favor of +it. We can be careful of what we eat, and from now on we ought to do +some other practice work besides rowing. I'm in for any kind of gym +work, or cross-country running to improve our wind." + +"I'm with you!" cried Andy, and the rest agreed. + +"We ought to have a coach," declared Jack. + +"Maybe we could get old Wallace," said Ward eagerly. + +"Who's old Wallace?" asked Frank. + +"I don't wonder you ask, even though you've been here some weeks," said +Ward. "He's a fellow who's taking a post-graduate course and he's such +a grind that no one except the professors ever sees him. He used to be +an oarsman and I understand he knows a lot about the game." + +"The very thing--if we can get him!" cried Andy. + +"I'll try," volunteered Ward. "I've done some favors for him, and he +and I are quite friendly." + +It was agreed that Ward should try, and this gave the crew something +else to talk about. They adopted a schedule for a training table, for +they all knew the value of proper food and the need of abstaining from +that which was harmful. They would have to be their own masters, as +there was no such thing as a training table at Riverview. + +Frank also suggested that it would be a good plan to row over the +racing course occasionally, and see what sort of time they could make. + +"We'll have some of the fellows clock us," Jack said, "and we can get a +line on what we can do. I know we've got to hit up the stroke if we're +to beat Waterside, but we're capable of it." + +"Sure!" agreed Andy with much enthusiasm. "We'll do those fellows easy. +Say, I've thought up another joke to play." + +"Not on your life!" cried the others in a chorus, while Frank added: + +"If I catch you trying any of your tricks, brother mine, while this +race is in prospect I'll pack you back home so quick that your hair +will curl." + +"Well, you needn't eat me up," complained Andy; but it was noticed that +he did not mention jokes again for some time. + +To the surprise and delight of the lads Ed Wallace agreed to coach +them, though he said he had been out of the game so long that he was +quite rusty. But when the crew went out in the shell, and listened to +his caustic, but well-meant criticisms, it was seen that he knew his +business. + +"He'll put some starch into us," declared Frank, and the post-graduate +student certainly did. + +After he had given them some instructions on successive days they had +marked off a three-mile course--the length of the interscholastic race. +The Riverview lads rowed over this several times. + +At first it was discouraging, as they could not come anywhere near +equaling the record they knew had been made by Waterside. But they did +not give up. + +"There are only two things to do," Wallace told them. "You must +increase the number of strokes and put more power in them. Then you'll +win." + +It sounded easy to say, but it was hard to do, as they seemed already +to be pulling to the limit of their strength and endurance. But they +found that they could do better, and soon, though muscles, wind and +heart made a trio of protests, they knew they were coming nearer the +time made by their rivals. + +"I think you'll do," said Wallace at length. "Of course I don't mean +to say you're as fast as those fellows, but you're in their class, and +I think, in the time left, you can come up to them. I believe you can +beat them, barring accidents." + +"What, do you mean by accidents?" asked Andy. + +"Well, you know our shell isn't very good. The outriggers are old and +two of the oars are split. Something may break." + +"Then we'll strengthen things!" exclaimed Frank, and for several +nights after that he and his chums worked over the shell. They finally +decided that they could do no more, and that it would have to serve. + +"But if we win this race, we'll have a new shell next year!" declared +Frank determinedly. + +The time for the race was drawing near. In a week Waterside was to row +Milton, and then, after a few days' rest, would take on Riverview. +This would mark the closing of the season on the river. Incidentally +our heroes and their chums learned that the race with themselves was +regarded more or less as a joke. + +"Well, we'll show 'em that it isn't!" declared Andy hotly. "I'm going +to beat 'em now, or bust an oar." + +"Don't do that!" cried Frank quickly. "We haven't any oars to spare. +Just beat 'em." + +"We will!" and his brother clapped him on the shoulder. + +It was with no little satisfaction that the lads of Riverview heard of +the defeat of Milton Academy by Waterside Hall. + +"That's just what we want," declared the young captain. "It gives us a +clear look-in for the championship. If Milton had won we'd have had to +row them after we cleaned up Waterside." + +"You're not at all confident," said Jack with a laugh. + +All the time they could spare from their lessons the crew spent on +the river. Sometimes they could only snatch a half hour, for with the +advancement of the term studies became harder, and Mr. Callum added +to the troubles of our friends, for he seemed to watch his chance for +making it unpleasant for Frank or Andy and often kept them in after +class for some real or fancied failing. + +"But I'm not going to kick," said Frank grimly. "That's just what he's +laying for. He wants to get a hold on us because we're helping Mrs. +Morton and her daughter." + +"Heard anything about that case lately?" asked Andy. + +"Yes, dad's working on it. I suppose Lawyer Bolton is attending to his +end of it. It will come out right, I hope." + +It was the afternoon before the race with Waterside. Every last thing +had been done, the final practice had been held, and the boys of +Riverview were in good trim. They were fit to row for the championship. + +"And I think you'll get it, too," declared Coach Wallace. "Go to bed +early to-night, have a good sleep, take care of yourselves, and we'll +have a race worth seeing to-morrow even if we have an old shell." + +"That's the stuff!" cried a little crowd that had gathered at the +boathouse. It had been repaired temporarily and was habitable. It was +curious to see the sudden interest in athletics since the Racer boys +had revived racing. + +The crew, headed by Frank, was walking up to the dining hall, for it +was nearly time for supper. A telegraph messenger was approaching at a +slow walk, holding a message in one hand and in the other a dime novel +which he was devouring in the half light. + +"Hey! Where you going?" called someone. + +The lad looked up with a start. Probably seven redskins had just +"bitten the dust." + +"I've got a message here for Mr. Frank Racer," he said. + +"Hand it over," answered our hero. "I guess it's from dad," he went on +to Andy. + +Quickly he tore the envelope open. Then he uttered an exclamation. + +"It's from Gertrude," he said to his brother in a low voice. "Old +Thorny has scored one on us. He's brought suit, has secured judgment, +and a deputy sheriff is in possession of their house! I've got to go at +once!" + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + A MEAN TRICK + + +"You can't go, Frank!" exclaimed Andy, after a moment's thought. + +"Why not?" + +"Because we're going to race Waterside to-morrow." + +"I know it, but this is to-night. I've got lots of time." + +"Perhaps you have, but you heard what Wallace said. He wants us to get +a good sleep, and be fresh for to-morrow. If you go chasing over to +Dailsburg you won't get home until late and you'll be all broken up. +Besides you may get in trouble with the deputy sheriff in possession, +and have a row. Or you may get caught coming in late and be suspended. +It's too risky." + +"I tell you I'm going," said Frank determinedly. "I promised to help +them and I'm going to keep my word." + +"That's all right," half grumbled Andy, "but what's the matter with +that lawyer, Mr. Bolton? I thought he was going to see to this." + +"Perhaps he has forgotten it, or Thorny's lawyer may have played a +sharp trick. Anyhow, I'm going to see what I can do." + +"But if you're caught?" + +"I won't be--don't worry." + +"I say, what's up?" asked Jack, seeing that something was exciting the +Racer brothers. + +"I've got to go out of town on a little business," explained Frank +quickly. "Oh, I'll be back in time to row the race," he added, as he +saw looks of apprehension come over the faces of Jack and Ward. + +"Well, if you have to--you have to, that's all, I suppose," commented +Jack. "But take care of yourself--and get back soon." + +Frank promised, and then started off to catch the first trolley car for +Dailsburg. + +"If Old Thorny comes to our room while I'm out, rig up some sort of a +dummy in my bed," Frank instructed his brother. "Then you snore double, +and if he does come in, tell him I'm not feeling well--which is the +truth. If he sees a hump in the bed he'll think it's me." + +"Do you think he'll be especially on the lookout to-night?" asked Ward. + +"I believe he'd do anything to prevent me rowing in the race," answered +Frank grimly. "Well, so long, fellows." + +He hurried off, and his chums walked back to the school buildings +discussing the coming race. + +"Jove! I hope Frank gets back in time, and isn't caught!" exclaimed +Andy a bit apprehensively. "He's taking chances--and all for a girl. +Well--I guess I'd do the same if I had to." + +Frank's first act, on reaching Dailsburg, was to go to a telephone and +hold a conversation with Mr. Bolton, the lawyer his father had engaged. +It was news to Mr. Bolton to learn that he had been outwitted. + +"Go right to the Morton house," he directed Frank, "and stay until I +come. Tell the widow and her daughter that I will soon have matters +straightened out. I'll do it if I have to get a writ from the Supreme +Court justice by waking him out of bed. Callum's lawyer has been up to +some sharp practice." + +The elder Racer lad found Mrs. Morton and Gertrude in a very nervous +state when he arrived. In the parlor sat a burly representative of the +sheriff's office. He was smoking and sat in one chair with his feet on +another. + +"Don't you know how to behave?" asked Frank indignantly. "This isn't +a stable," and he knocked the cigar from the man's lips with a folded +newspaper. + +"Here! What are you up to?" yelled the fellow. "I'll have you in jail +for that. I represent the law!" + +"Then I'm sorry for the law," was Frank's rejoinder. "You stop smoking +or I'll notify the sheriff of your conduct. I don't believe he'd stand +for that." + +"Oh, you mind your own business!" grumbled the deputy. But he did not +light another cigar, and he took his feet from the chair. + +Frank quickly told Mrs. Morton of the measures he had taken, and +assured her that the fellow would soon have to leave. + +"Oh, I don't know what we would ever do if it wasn't for you, Frank!" +exclaimed Gertrude, blushing as she used his name. "I was desperate +when that horrid man came in, and I could only think of one thing to +do--notify you." + +"I'm glad you did," he said heartily. + +"And to-morrow is the day of the race," the girl went on. "I do hope +this won't make you lose it! Grace and I are coming to see you win!" + +"Then we surely will!" the lad exclaimed. + +With Mrs. Morton they sat talking in the kitchen to be farther away +from the obnoxious deputy. Two hours passed and there came a ring at +the bell. It was Lawyer Bolton and he had succeeded in getting an order +from the justice which amounted to a stay in the proceedings. The +deputy was ordered to withdraw. + +"How do I know this is genuine?" asked the fellow with a sneer, when +the paper had been served on him. + +"Oh, you'll find it's proper, my man," said Mr. Bolton. "If you like +you can call up the sheriff, I have communicated with him. At any rate +the house isn't going to be moved. Now you clear out!" + +Grumblingly, and with a malevolent look at Frank, the fellow went out. + +"This was partly my fault," apologized Mr. Bolton. "I should have been +prepared for sharp practice on the part of Callum's representative, +but I did not dream he would dare do this. He took advantage of a +technicality in the law to get this writ of possession. But it is +vacated now, and he can't do anything more until the case comes up for +a hearing." + +"And then what will happen?" asked Mrs. Morton. + +"By that time my father will have the bonds sold and you can pay +Professor Callum," said Frank quickly. + +There was some further talk and Mr. Bolton left. Then, as it was +getting late and Frank did not want to miss getting a trolley car back +to school, he took his leave. + +"And you must be sure to win!" Gertrude whispered to him. + +"Yes. And you must be sure to be there." + +"I will!" + +Frank looked carefully about as he approached the campus of Riverview +school. As he came near the place where the racing shell was kept he +saw a light in the boathouse. + +"That's queer," he mused, coming to a halt. "It's too late for any of +the fellows to be in there. I wonder who it can be? It won't do any +harm to take a look." + +Cautiously he approached the building and peered in through a window. +The sight he saw almost caused him to cry out in anger and amazement. + +For there, standing over the shell, was Gerald Welter, the school +bully. He had a lantern, and by the light of it Frank saw the gleam of +a knife in his hand. As Frank looked he saw Gerald prepare to rip up +the bottom of the shell, which act would utterly ruin it. + +"The scoundrel!" murmured Frank. + +The next instant the knife descended, its sharp point going clear +through the frail shell. And then, with a cry of righteous anger, Frank +dashed himself against the door of the boathouse, and fairly threw +himself inside to confront the amazed and startled bully, who paused in +the act of again plunging the knife into the racing craft. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + THE FIGHT + + +"You--you miserable scoundrel!" gasped Frank. He made a rush for the +bully, who instinctively stepped back. + +"Don't--don't you dare touch me!" whined Welter, as the knife dropped +from his trembling hand. + +"Touch you! I'll give you the best thrashing you ever had!" cried the +young captain. "What are you trying to do; ruin our shell so we can't +race?" + +"I--I was just--just seeing----" + +"Don't make it any worse," broke in Frank bluntly. "I saw you jab one +hole in it, and you were just going to make another when I caught you." + +Once more the young captain approached him, and Welter shrank back. + +"You ought to be put out of the school!" cried Frank. "What did any of +us ever do to you that made you think of such a mean trick as this?" + +"You--didn't you knock me down once?" demanded Welter. + +"Oh, so that's the reason? You wanted revenge on me. Well, why didn't +you come out like a man and say so? I'd have given you satisfaction any +time. I'm going to have it out of you now." + +"Don't you dare touch me!" cried the bully again. + +"Put up your hands!" sternly ordered Frank. "This is going to be a +fight to a finish!" + +Instinctively Welter defended himself, as he saw Frank coming at him, +and then, there in the boathouse, by the light of the lantern was +fought one of the greatest fights in which our young hero ever had a +part. It was not all one-sided, either, for Welter was tall and strong. + +But he was no match for Frank, burning with anger as he was. The bully +tried to block a blow from Frank's left, and countered with his right, +but it never got through Frank's guard. Then, like a flash, the young +captain crossed, and Welter staggered back from a heavy blow. + +"Take that, and then see if you want to ruin any more shells!" +exclaimed Frank, as he struck out with his left, straight from the +shoulder. + +His fist landed squarely on Welter's jaw and once more the bully went +over, falling on a pile of sail cloth in one corner. He struggled to +rise and Frank stood over him. + +"Are you sorry for what you did?" the captain asked threateningly. + +"Yes--yes!" stammered Welter, holding his jaw. + +"And do you promise never to try such a sneaking act again?" + +"I--I do. Oh, don't hit me again!" + +"Then get up," spoke Frank grimly. + +He turned aside, and was about to look at the damage done to the shell +when he heard a movement behind him. He turned just in time to see +Welter raising a broken oar over his head. + +"Ah, would you!" cried Frank, skillfully ducking the blow aimed at him. +The next instant he knocked the bully down again. + +As Welter fell, a figure advanced from the outer darkness and stood in +the doorway of the boathouse. Both lads saw it, and as Welter struggled +to his feet a rasping voice exclaimed: + +"Ah, Racer, this time I have caught you in the act! Out after hours +and fighting! How dare you knock a fellow-student down?" and Professor +Callum glared at our hero. + +"Yes, this is the second time he knocked me down!" whined Welter. + +"I knocked him down because he was about to hit me with an oar!" +exclaimed Frank hotly. "It was a fair fight until he tried a mean +trick." + +"Then you admit you were fighting?" asked the professor craftily. + +"Of course. And so would you have fought him if you saw what he did. He +tried to ruin the shell, and the race comes off to-morrow." + +"How dare you bring my name into this disgraceful affair?" demanded the +teacher. "As if I would ever fight! I abhor it, and I detest those who +fight." + +"He hit me first," whined the bully. + +"I have no doubt that he did, from what I know of him," agreed Mr. +Callum. + +"That's not so. It was a fair fight. I dodged his first blow and--well, +it was a fair fight," murmured Frank. + +"That will do. I shall at once report you to Dr. Doolittle. You may +consider yourself suspended, Racer. I saw you deliberately knock Welter +down. You are suspended!" + +"And--and can't I race to-morrow?" pleaded Frank, his heart beating so +hard as almost to choke him. + +"Race! I should say not!" + +Frank made a bold resolve. Matters could not be made much worse and he +decided to risk an appeal to the irate professor. + +"Look here, Professor Callum," said Frank. "I know you don't like me or +my brother, but can't you at least be fair?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that I'm telling you the truth. I was out after hours. I admit +that. Coming home I saw a light in here, and I saw Welter in the act +of putting holes in the bottom of the shell. There is one slit he cut, +and here is the knife he used." Stooping quickly Frank picked up the +weapon that had dropped from the bully's hand. "Now all I ask is a fair +show," went on the captain. "I'm willing to be suspended, but can't you +wait until after the race, Professor? Give Riverview a chance to beat +Waterside?" + +Frank paused in his pleading. Welter was observing him with a mocking +smile. There seemed to be some struggle going on within Professor +Callum. Perhaps he remembered that he was once a boy. Perhaps he saw +the justice of the demand Frank made. Perhaps he was weary of the low +place Riverview held in athletics. At any rate he said grimly: + +"Very well, Racer. I will suspend judgment on you this once. But don't +think you are going to escape. Fighting is a flagrant breach of the +rules here, and you must be punished. But you need not report to Dr. +Doolittle until after the race. Then I shall prefer a charge against +you." + +"That's all I ask," said Frank heartily. "I'm not afraid of punishment, +but I do want to beat Waterside. If we win," he added in a lower voice, +"I don't care what happens." + +"You may go to your rooms now," went on Mr. Callum. "Remember, Racer, +see the doctor immediately after the race. I will be there waiting for +you." + +"Nice prospect," thought Frank; but somehow there was joy within him. +He made a hurried examination of the shell and saw that it could be +fixed with about an hour's work. Professor Callum left the boathouse. +Welter hurried after him, probably in fear lest Frank might renew +hostilities. But our hero had no such intentions. Besides he had +inflicted enough punishment on the bully. + +"Oh, by the way," Mr. Callum called after Welter. "You are out after +hours, too; you may also report to Dr. Doolittle--after the race." + +"All right," muttered Welter. + +Frank found Andy awake when he entered the room and his brother became +more so when he heard the story of the night. + +"By jinks!" exclaimed Andy. "I didn't think any fellow could be so +mean! Are you sure we can fix the shell?" + +"Oh, yes. We'll have the race all right. Now go to sleep. I'm dead +tired and I want to be as fresh as possible for to-morrow." + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + THE BOAT RACE + + +"Now mind," said Frank to his brother and the other members of the +crew the next morning when they gathered in the boathouse, "not a word +of what happened last night. It's a disgrace to our school to have a +fellow like Welter in it, and we don't want it to get out." + +"But what about the hole in the boat?" asked Ward, he and Jack, in +addition to Andy, being the only ones whom Frank had told about the +damage to the shell and the fight that followed. + +"Oh, no one else need know about it," went on the captain. "We'll just +patch it up and keep it to ourselves." + +"You've got a cut chin, how will you explain that?" Jack wanted to know. + +"I won't have to." + +"But maybe Welter will talk," suggested Andy. + +"Not much," was the significant reply from Frank. "No, it will be kept +quiet until after we're up before the doctor and even after that I +don't think it will come out. I'm going to tell exactly how everything +happened and if I'm allowed to stay here I'll make Welter leave the +school, or we'll send him to 'Coventry' and he'll be glad to quit." + +"That's the stuff!" exclaimed Ward. "Well, now let's see if we can do +anything with the shell." + +It was the morning of the race, a glorious fall day, just right for a +swift row. Many of the schoolboys had gathered about the boathouse, but +none was admitted. Coach Wallace was on hand early and some excuse was +made to him in regard to the hole in the shell. He helped the crew to +fix it, and, being wise in his day, he asked no questions. + +"There, it's as good as ever," he announced, when the piece of canvas +had been put over the cut and covered with a water-proof mixture. "It +won't leak and it's stronger than before. Oh, but I wish you had a new +shell." + +"Don't mention it," spoke Frank. "If we win this race, though, we may +have one next year." + +"Well, we're going to win all right!" exclaimed Andy, and the others +nodded their heads emphatically. + +The race was to be rowed over a course that began and ended at +Waterside. This school had insisted on that as one of the conditions, +and as they stood in the position of champions they could impose their +own rules. + +"Now remember," said the coach, giving them his final instructions, +"the course is three miles, a mile and a half to the stake boat and the +same distance back to the finish line at the Waterside boathouse. Don't +be in too much of a hurry. Take it easy at first and watch the other +fellows. When they begin to hit up the pace don't bite. They'll likely +do that to draw you on. Take it easy until after you round the stake +boat, but don't let them draw ahead of you. The real fight will be at +the finish." + +The race was to start at two o'clock and at noon the crew ate a light +lunch. Then they took a rest and had half an hour of light exercise. +The shell was to be towed down to the starting point by a motor launch +that had been generously donated by a gentleman who once was quite an +oarsman. + +"I'm glad to see that Riverview is waking up," he said heartily, when +he called for the crew, as Frank and his chums and Coach Wallace were +to go down the river in the motor craft, their shell towing on behind. + +There was a large crowd assembled around the Waterside boathouse when +our heroes and their shell arrived. Though the race was still regarded +as something of a joke by the rivals of our heroes, still word had +gone around that the match might furnish good sport. + +"Three cheers for Riverview!" called someone in the crowd. The answer +was given heartily and, looking up, Frank saw Tom Crawford, the lad +whom he had rescued. + +"Three cheers for Waterside!" called one of the crowd of Riverview +students who had come down to see the race. + +"This is something that hasn't happened in many years," remarked +Wallace as the cheers died away. "To have Riverview cheering and being +cheered. I guess a better day is coming for the old school." + +Captain Roth, of the Waterside four, advanced and shook hands with +Frank. The conditions of the race were discussed and agreed to, and one +or two disputed points settled. Both crews were warned against fouling +by the officials, and then they were ordered to get ready to start at +the pistol shot. + +"Old Thorny had a streak of white in him somewhere," said Andy to his +brother, "to let you off for the race." + +"Yes, but think of what's coming afterward," answered the captain, as +he looked at the outriggers to be sure they were in good condition. + +"Oh, well, forget it. Say, there's someone waving to you." + +"Where?" + +"Over in that crowd of girls." + +Frank looked quickly and caught a glimpse of a handkerchief being +shaken at him. + +"It's Gertrude Morton," he said, "and Grace Knox is with her. I guess +_she's_ waving to you, Andy." + +"Aw, cheese it. Let's get in." + +The lads of Waterside were carefully taking their places in their shell +which was held steady for them by several of their comrades. As the +Riverview crew entered theirs, a like service was performed by some of +their lads. + +There were a few moments of nervous preparation, a settling in their +seats on the part of the rowers, a testing of the oarlocks. + +"Take your places," ordered the starter, and slowly the two shells +were rowed out from the float to the middle of the stream. At this +point there was scarcely any current, so there was little difficulty in +holding the frail craft in line until the starting shot was fired. + +Once more came a moment of nervous tension. Each captain looked at his +crew, then glanced over toward the motor boat containing the officials. + +"Are you ready?" asked the starter. + +"Ready!" answered Captain Roth. + +"Ready!" called Captain Racer. + +A puff of smoke and a sliver of flame shot out of the revolver barrel, +followed by the sharp report. + +Crack! It was like the snap of a whip. + +Eight oars took the water as one, the broad blades slipping in with +scarcely a ripple. Eight sturdy backs bent to the stroke, and the thin +knife-like shells cleaved the water. The race was under way. + +"Steady, boys, steady," called Frank in a low voice, as he set the +stroke. "Don't get excited." He panted to look over and see what his +rivals were doing, but he refrained for a moment. He wanted to get his +lads into the swing of it. Then he glanced across the little stretch +of river that separated the two shells. Waterside was a quarter of a +length ahead, and for an instant Frank was tempted to increase his +stroke. Then he remembered what the coach had said and he kept on at +the same even pace. He could hear the puffing of the official boat as +it followed the two shells. + +Suddenly a cheer burst out from the bank, along which many excited +lads were running. It was a hearty cry and was followed by the yell of +Waterside. + +"That's the way to do it! Walk away from them!" yelled a clear voice. + +"They're ahead!" panted Andy. + +"Don't talk!" cautioned Frank. For a moment he doubted the wisdom of +not matching his own stroke to that of his rivals and then he decided +to hold himself in check. The good sense in this was soon manifested, +for Waterside began to slow up and soon the two boats were on even +terms. The effort to get Riverview to make a spurt early in the race +had failed. + +The struggle now settled down to one of determination, of strength +and endurance. Gradually the banks thinned of spectators for they +wanted to be back at the finish line. Frank could hear his three chums +breathing hard but he knew they were in no distress. Occasionally the +young captain glanced across at Waterside. Frank fancied he could see a +mocking smile on the face of Captain Roth. + +As the two shells approached the stake boat neither one seemed to +have the advantage. But this was a point where skill would tell, for +an advantage might be gained here. Frank, in a low voice, issued his +instructions. He was jockeying to make the inside turn, but at the last +moment Ward missed a stroke and the Riverview shell swung awkwardly +around. + +"Look out! You'll foul us!" yelled Captain Roth. + +"Yes. Be careful," warned the judge through his megaphone. + +There was no help for it. Frank and his comrades had to pull out and +let the Waterside shell take the inside course, which gave the rivals +of our heroes a decided advantage. + +"Oh, I'm so sorry!" wailed Ward. + +"Never mind!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "You couldn't help it. Save your +breath for rowing. We're going to beat 'em yet!" + +They swung around the stake boat and were off on the homeward course. +But Waterside was two lengths ahead. + +"Now we've got to increase our stroke!" murmured Frank. "Quicker, +fellows!" he called. + +The little accident had served them one good turn, it had given them an +instant to get their breaths. Now with fierce energy the Riverview lads +dipped their broad blades into the water. + +Occasionally Frank, throwing a glance over his shoulder, noted the +space of water that separated the shells. He fancied it was growing +less. Or was it but a fancy? + +"I'll catch them!" he thought. "We've got to!" + +Along the bank he could see a few straggling spectators who could not +find room opposite the finish line. + +"We must be getting there," thought the captain. "More power, boys!" he +called. + +Riverview was rowing now as she had never rowed before. Arms were +aching under the strain. Lungs were panting. Eyes could scarcely see, +but the boys kept on. + +Suddenly something came in the line of Frank's vision, to one side. It +was the end of the Waterside shell. He had pulled up on his rival. + +"Row, boys! Row!" he pleaded, and how Andy and the others did row! + +Farther and farther along the Waterside shell crept that of Riverview. +The crowds were yelling and shouting now in a very frenzy. It was a +close race, much closer than they had expected. + +"Row! Row!" panted Frank. He increased the stroke and his crew was with +him. The boats were on even terms now. Frank could see that his rivals +were almost at the limit of their strength and endurance. They had +unwisely made their spurt too soon after rounding the stake boat. + +"We've got to gain more! We've got to gain more!" Frank thought +desperately. + +Inch by inch his shell crept up on that of Waterside. Could he and his +mates stand the strain a minute longer? It did not seem possible, yet +they must--or lose. + +Suddenly there was a revolver shot. It was the warning gun to tell that +they were a hundred feet from the finish line. + +"Now! For all you're worth! For the honor of Riverview!" cried Frank +with his last breath. + +Desperately he and his chums dug their blades into the water. Their +example was followed by the crew of Waterside. The Riverview shell shot +ahead. There was a riot of cheers. Frank fancied he could hear a girl's +voice. Waterside made a last desperate effort, but it was too late. +They were rowed out. + +Then, with one final heart-breaking spurt, Frank and his crew sent +their boat under the finish line. They scarcely dared look across +to see where their rivals were, but when they did they saw that as +their stern passed the mark the sharp bow of the other shell was just +reaching it. + +"Won by a length!" cried Frank, scarcely able to speak. "Fellows, +Riverside has the race!" + +And a burst of cheers, shrill cries from girls, hoarse shouts from +men, yells from the victorious school lads, greeted our heroes as they +rested on their oars, panting, exhausted and weary, but inexpressibly +happy. For had they not won? Had not the despised crew beaten the best +four on the river? And was not Riverview coming into her own once more? + +"Oh, it was a good race! A good race!" murmured Frank, as they slowly +rowed back to the float and saw the welcoming hands stretched out to +them. "A good race!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + SPEAKING THEIR MINDS + + +"Well done, boys! Well done!" cried Coach Wallace, as he grasped +Frank's hand. + +"Yes, too well done to suit us," murmured Captain Roth ruefully. "My, +but you fellows can row!" he complimented. "We were all in, but you +finished strong. Will you shake?" and he gazed at the rival captain +admiringly, holding out his hand. + +"Sure," came Frank's quick answer. "I'm sorry we beat you, but it had +to be." + +"And with an old patched-up shell at that," went on the loser. "You +ought to have a decent boat." + +"Maybe we will have now that we've shown what we can do," said Andy +with a smile. The members of the defeated crew shook hands with their +successful rivals. + +"Three cheers for Riverview!" called someone, and the resulting cries +were like music to the ears of Frank and his comrades. + +"Three cheers for Waterside!" proposed Frank, and they were given with +hearty good will. + +"Oh, I just knew you could do it!" exclaimed a gentle voice at Frank's +side, and turning, he saw Gertrude Morton. A ruddy glow was spread over +her face as she held out her hand to Frank, and if he held her fingers +longer than was really necessary no one was inclined to blame him. "It +was perfectly splendid!" she went on. "You're the champions of the +river now!" + +"How do you make that out?" inquired the young captain, forgetting for +the moment in the excitement of victory. + +"Why if Waterside won from Milton, and you beat Waterside then you have +beaten them both. Q. E. D. you know; like a problem in geometry." + +"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Frank with a laugh. + +He was shouldering his way through a press of people, many of whom +wanted to shake hands with him, but he managed to keep his place beside +Gertrude. Andy had in some manner fallen in step with Grace Knox, +and they were talking gaily. On all sides could be heard expressions +of wonder that a comparatively unknown and new crew could have +administered such a beating to Waterside. + +"We haven't any excuses," said Captain Roth manfully. "We were beaten +fairly and squarely." + +Frank and Andy would have preferred remaining at Waterside for a while, +in the company of their girl friends, but as they were rather lightly +clad and began to feel the cool air since they were not in motion, +and as Ward and Jack wanted to get back, our heroes said good-bye, +promising to call soon. + +They went back in the motor boat, their shell towing behind, and on the +trip up the river they were frequently saluted by various craft, the +captains of which had in some manner learned of the victory. + +"I wonder what Dr. Doolittle will say when he hears about it?" asked +Jack. + +"That's so. I've got to go on the carpet when I get back," exclaimed +Frank. "I forgot all about it for a while. Well, I don't care what +happens, now that we won." + +"And we came mighty near losing when I caught that crab at the stake +boat," put in Ward. + +"It might have looked so for a time," said Frank, "but I really think +it helped us to win. Waterside thought they had a big advantage and +they hit up their stroke right away. They were rowed out before they +knew it and we still had some wind left." + +"Glad you look at it that way," replied Ward. + +Practically all of the Riverview school lads had gone to see the race, +so there was no crowd on hand to welcome the crew as they pulled their +shell from the water at the boathouse. But there was one grim figure on +hand and that was Professor Callum. His eyes sought out Frank. + +"Dr. Doolittle is waiting for you," said the crabbed instructor. "You +are to go up at once. I will be there!" he added significantly. + +"Can't I change my clothes?" asked Frank, for he was in his racing togs. + +"I suppose so," was the grudging answer, "but don't be long." + +"It's like going to the dentist's; isn't it?" asked Andy of his +brother, as the two were dressing in their room. + +"Yes, and the sooner it's over with the better. There, I guess I'm fit +to go." + +Andy followed his brother out of the room. + +"Where are you going?" asked Frank in some surprise. + +"With you, of course." + +"But you're not involved. You weren't fighting." + +"I know it, but I'm going to see Dr. Doolittle just the same," was the +dogged answer. "If you're expelled I resign, that's all." + +"Oh, but that's foolish." + +"All right, then I'm silly, but I'm going just the same." + +Frank looked at his brother a moment and something glistened in his +eyes. Then, placing his arm in that of Andy's, the two went together to +the office of the head of the school. + +"Ha! Hum! I believe there is some matter that requires my attention," +said Dr. Doolittle slowly, looking over his spectacles as the Racer +boys entered. Professor Callum had preceded them inside the room. "Some +matter of school discipline I believe you said, Professor?" + +"Yes. To be brief, as I was returning from having delivered a lecture +on early Assyrian manners before the Philosophical Research Society +last night I saw a light in the boathouse. I approached and found Frank +Racer attacking Gerald Welter. He had knocked him down, and----" + +"It was in a fair fight!" interrupted Frank. + +"Ah, then you admit that you were fighting?" asked Mr. Callum quickly. + +"Of course," replied our hero. "And I told you why we were fighting. +He tried to ruin our racing shell. If you'll call Welter here I think +he'll be man enough to admit it, too!" finished Frank. + +"Ah, unfortunately we can not have Welter here," said Professor Callum. +"He has--er--withdrawn from the school." + +This was news to Frank and Andy. + +"Withdrawn from the school!" exclaimed the doctor. "That is +unfortunate." It seemed that he regretted more the loss of tuition fees +than anything else. + +"You have heard what Frank Racer admits," went on the crabbed +instructor. "I now demand that he be expelled for fighting." + +"Um! Yes! Fighting," murmured Dr. Doolittle in a dreamy sort of voice. +"Fighting is very bad. It is expressly forbidden, and those who indulge +in it are liable to expulsion. I am sorry----" + +"Doctor, let me speak!" suddenly exclaimed Frank. "I _did_ fight, +but there was a good cause for it. I'm going to tell you some things +that maybe you don't know. After that I'm willing to be expelled." + +"Same here!" murmured Andy. + +"Such impudence!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "You ought not to listen to +them, Dr. Doolittle." + +"It won't take long," spoke Frank significantly. "When we were sent +here, Dr. Doolittle, my brother and I thought we were coming to an +up-to-date school. Instead we found that it was a back number, and it's +getting to be worse every day!" + +Mr. Callum looked shocked and horrified. Dr. Doolittle acted as though +he was awakening from some dream. + +"This school is no good to a live chap who likes sport," went on Frank. +"It's a dead one." + +"Punk!" interjected Andy. + +"That's the reason it's going to rack and ruin!" continued the elder +lad, who grew enthusiastic as he thought of his wrongs. "No fellows +that care for fun, or who have money to spend on it, will come here. + +"Look at the baseball diamond! It's like some cow pasture, and the +football gridiron is even worse. There isn't a grandstand worth the +name. The fences are falling down, and the boathouse too. If my +brother, and I and a few of our friends, hadn't fixed the boathouse, +propped it up and covered the hole in the roof, it would have been in +ruins long ago." + +He paused for breath, for he had been talking rapidly. + +"Is it possible? Is it possible?" murmured the doctor. + +"And look at your school buildings!" Frank continued. "Why, some of +them are dangerous, and the rooms we fellows have are worse than some +tenements. It's a wonder you have any pupils at all. I'm not saying +it's your fault, Dr. Doolittle. We all like you--there isn't a fellow +here who doesn't think you're the finest scholar there is--but that +doesn't make a school. You've got to have a sporting and a school +spirit. I know, for I've been to other schools. + +"And now about this fight. I'll tell you how it happened. When my +brother and I came here we wanted to get up a rowing crew. It was hard +work, for there wasn't anything to start with, but we did manage to +find an old four-oared shell, and we patched it up. Then we practiced +hard, my brother, Jack Sanderson, Ward Platt and myself. + +"I won't deny but what there was bad feeling between Gerald Welter +and myself. I claim it was his fault, but we needn't discuss that +now." Frank was talking broadly and with an ease at which he wondered +afterward. But; as he said, he felt that it was his last chance and he +determined that Dr. Doolittle should know the truth. + +"We had hard work using the old shell," Frank went on, "and we had +harder work getting Waterside to accept our challenge. But they finally +did, and the race was arranged. Then last night--the night before it +was to take place--I saw Welter trying to damage our shell, because of +his grudge against me. I stopped him after he had made one knife jab in +it, and then--well we did fight and I whipped him. We fixed the shell, +and what's more we won the race with Waterside. To-day Riverview school +is champion of the river in the four-oared class!" + +Frank bowed as he finished. He was about to leave the room, for he had +no other thought but that he would be expelled. But he had had the +satisfaction of speaking his mind. + +"That's all I have to say," he concluded. "We tried to do our best to +make your dead school into a live one." + +"But it's awful dead yet," added Andy, as he prepared to follow his +brother. + +"Stop a moment!" exclaimed Dr. Doolittle. He was rubbing his eyes. He +sat up straight in his chair. The look of dreamy wonder had gone from +his face. His eyes sparkled. "Did I understand you to say that you won +the race--that Riverview is--er--once more champion--as she once was?" + +"She is," said Frank briefly. + +"Then, boys, I want to congratulate you!" cried the doctor +enthusiastically. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart!" + +With a gratified look on his face he advanced toward the boys, holding +out his hands. + +"I realize," he said, "that our school is not what it ought to be. We +have fallen upon evil days, and lack of money is the chief cause. But +it is remarkable--you won the race! You are champions! It is almost +incredible! I never thought to hear such news again! You deserve the +thanks of the whole school!" + +He shook hands with them, smiling the while. Professor Callum looked on +with ill-concealed anger. He was getting impatient for the last act. + +"I suppose there is nothing further to say," he began, in his rasping +voice. "Racer has confessed to fighting, and he will doubtless be +expelled, Dr. Doolittle?" + +"He will--not!" exclaimed the doctor in hearty tones. + +"Wha--what?" gasped Professor Callum. + +"He will remain in this school," went on the doctor, "and I hope he and +his brother will do their best to establish a sporting spirit. It is +just what we need. Riverview wants some good red blood! I--er--I don't +approve of fighting as a rule, but in this case--why--er--um--I wish +I had had your chance to see this one, Professor Callum! You may go, +boys. Champions of the river! Well! Well!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + CHET SEDLEY ARRIVES + + +What took place between Dr. Doolittle and Professor Callum after Frank +and Andy had left, our heroes did not hear definitely. That there was +quite a discussion they did not doubt, and as a matter of fact some +students who had occasion to pass the door a little later heard high +voices. + +One of them was that of the irate professor, while no less determined +was that of Dr. Doolittle. The head of the school seemed at last to +have awakened from the literary dream in which he passed most of the +time. + +"I think there's going to be a great change for Riverview one of these +days," said Donald Burgess, one of the seniors, to a classmate. + +"Yes, and the Racer boys will be responsible for it more than anyone +else," agreed Duke Yardly. "I guess it's up to us fellows to do +something, now that they've won the rowing race. Some football would +hit me about right. + +"Same here. I understand they have two scrub teams, but the gridiron +is in rotten shape." + +"That's right. Well, if those Racer boys want to start a subscription +to get it fixed up I'll give my share." + +"So will I, and I guess some of the other fellows will also. I'm going +to speak to 'em about it. All it needs is some one to start things. +We've been in a rut here long enough." + +"I'm glad Welter has gone," said one little lad who had been made the +butt of many a cruel joke on the part of the bully. "Some of us small +chaps can have a little fun now." + +The rowing season was practically ended but it did not pass without +further gratification on the part of Frank and his chums. For they +received a challenge from Milton Academy, asking for a race the +following year. + +"Nothing succeeds like success," said Frank, as he wrote an answer +stating that the race would take place in the spring. + +As might be expected, Professor Callum was more than ever incensed +against Frank and Andy. In every way he sought to make life miserable +for them, not only when they were reciting in his class, but out of +school hours as well. + +However, our heroes were prepared and they gave him little chance +to inflict punishment on them. Once or twice though, he caught them +napping and many an extra hundred lines of Latin prose they had to +write out. This, however, had its good effect, for it perfected them in +this study, which they might otherwise have neglected. + +There was a different spirit awakening in the school. The lads seemed +brighter, and many simple sports such as hare and hounds, and cross +country running, or walking matches, were gotten up, in which Frank and +Andy took prominent parts. + +The school faculty seemed different, too, and a few days after Frank's +open-hearted talk with the doctor some much needed repairs were made to +some of the buildings. + +"Though where the money comes from I don't know," said Old Wallace. +Everyone called him "Old" Wallace though he was a young chap. "I hear +that some of the professors haven't been paid for months," he added. +"Maybe that's what makes Thorny crosser than usual." + +"In that case," thought Frank, "he'll do all he can to make it +unpleasant for Gertrude and her mother. I must write to dad and see if +he can't collect on those bonds." He did so, getting an answer that the +company was in litigation in the courts and that it would be some time +before a settlement could be made. + +"Then I'm going to advance money on them myself," Frank wrote back. +"Andy is with me in it, too." So, though his father rather objected to +this proceeding, arrangements to this end were started. + +The football talk, which had been rather listless at first, following +the rowing race, became more pronounced. The lads who had formed two +scrub elevens practiced more frequently on the gridiron, part of which +had been cleared of heaps of dirt, stones and a thick growth of weeds. + +"We ought to try and see if we can't get up two regular teams," +suggested Frank one afternoon, when he and Andy, having donned their +suits, which they had had sent from home, were out on the field. "Maybe +we could get a game with Milton or Waterside." + +"I'm afraid not," spoke Old Wallace, who was one of the best of the +football squad. "They probably have their dates all filled, though they +might give us one with the scrub." + +"No, sir!" exclaimed Frank. "If we play at all we play the varsity or +nothing." + +"Then I guess we won't play," said Burgess with a shrug of his +shoulders, as he ran out on the field to catch a ball kicked high into +the air by Andy. + +But Frank did not give up, though he had rather an up-hill struggle. +Plenty of the boys were in favor of having a football team, but when +it came to putting up money to have the grandstands repaired and the +gridiron made so it could be used, they balked. And it wasn't because +they were afraid to spend the cash, but they didn't have it. Few rich +men's sons attended Riverview. + +"Maybe they will, after they hear that we've beaten the Waterside +four," suggested Andy hopefully. + +"I'd use all the money I got from selling the whale only I want it to +take up those bonds," said Frank. "I can't let Thorny get ahead of me +now and make trouble for Gertrude." + +"That's right. Well, I guess we can't have any football eleven this +year." + +But still the lads kept up practice, and gradually they were perfecting +themselves. + +One crisp afternoon, when both scrub teams were having an improvised +game on the gridiron, Frank got possession of the ball, and started +down the field on a dead run to make a touchdown. He had the pigskin +tucked under his arm and was running low and hard with lowered head. He +had eluded the other side's fullback and was headed straight for the +goal posts. A figure stood between them, a figure that, somehow, seemed +strangely familiar to Frank. But he did not stop then to think who it +was. + +"He'll get run down if he stands there," he murmured, for Frank wanted +to put the ball as near the middle as possible to render a kick for +goal more certain. + +"Look out!" yelled Frank. The figure between the posts never moved and +the next instant our hero crashed full into the other lad, sending him +flying to one side, and knocking him down. + +"I'm sorry, old man, but I couldn't help it," apologized Frank after he +had touched down the ball. "I called to you to get out of the way." + +"You had no business to run into me!" exclaimed the other lad, as he +got up and began brushing off the dirt from an evidently new suit. "I +shall report you to the head master for this." + +Something in the tones of the voice caused Frank to look more closely +at the speaker. He could not repress a start of astonishment, for +confronting him was the dude of Harbor View. + +"Chet Sedley!" gasped Frank. + +"Frank Racer!" exclaimed Chet. + +"What in the world are you doing here, Chet?" Frank went on. + +"I'm coming here to school, what do you suppose I'm doing?" was the +pert answer. "But I'm not going to play football if you're as rough as +that," and the dudish youth continued to brush off his clothes and dust +his shoes with a highly perfumed handkerchief. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + A HAZING + + +Frank was so surprised at first at the sight of the Harbor View dude, +as he was called, that he paid no attention to his companions, who came +racing up after his run down the field with the ball. + +"Friend of yours, Frank?" asked John North, and he eyed the new arrival +with no friendly eyes, for Chet had a proud and supercilious air that +did not add to his charm. + +"Yes, he comes from the town where we spend our summers," replied Frank. + +"Well, if it isn't Chet Sedley!" exclaimed Andy, coming up at that +moment. "How are fresh clams selling, Chet?" + +Andy referred to the time when some of the bivalves had fallen from a +wagon on a new pair of tan shoes the dude had purchased. + +"Oh, you mind your business!" retorted Chet. "I'll have you know you +can't play any more jokes on me. I won't stand it, and if you do I'll +report you to the head master." + +"For cats' sake! Are you coming here?" demanded Andy. + +"I certainly am," declared Chet. "An aunt of mine died and left me +a lot of money. My folks wanted me to come to a swell school, and I +picked out this one because I had heard your mother say it was a good +one. It doesn't look very swell though," and Chet, who had only gotten +off the river steamer a little while previous, looked about the unkempt +grounds and at the rather forlorn buildings. + +"Oh, it's swell all right," said Jack Sanderson with a laugh. "It +swelled up so that it burst, and now it has to start over again." + +Chet looked worried, but determined not to pay too much attention to +what the lads said, as he realized that he was probably being made the +butt of a joke. + +"Introduce your friend," invited Ward Platt to Frank, and when the +latter attempted this Chet said with scornfully turned up nose: + +"I don't know that I care to meet everyone. I expect to move only in +the best crowd and I think I'll pick my own friends after I've been +here a while." + +"Oh, you will; eh?" exclaimed Frank. "All right, if he thinks he's too +good for us, fellows, let him alone. Come on, Ward, and see if you can +kick goal." + +"Er--may I ask--where is the office of the head master?" began Chet, +for he was at a loss which way to go. + +"You may ask, but I don't know as we'll tell you," said Andy. "One +thing though, keep off the gridiron. It might soil your shoes." + +There was a laugh at this and Chet, darting an angry look at Andy and +Frank as the chief of his tormentors, hurried away toward the main +group of buildings. + +"Doesn't seem very friendly," commented Duke Yardly. + +"No, and I'm sorry he came here," said Frank. "He's a snob of the worst +kind. Riverview, bad as she may be off in other lines, hasn't had any +snobs since Welter left." + +"Oh, I'm glad Chet has come," spoke Andy. + +"You are; why?" asked Frank. + +"Because he'll give us a chance for some fun," replied his brother. +"We haven't hazed any one yet and it's time we began. Chet will be our +meat. It will do more for the school than a football victory. I've got +a peach of a plan to do it." + +"Yes, all we'll have to do will be to leave that to you," admitted +Frank with a laugh. "Well, let's go on with the game." + +Andy's determination to haze Chet found unexpected favor with several +students. It appears that when Chet found out that the school was in +poor circumstances, which he did very soon after his arrival, he made +many mean and slighting remarks about not only that, but about the lads +who attended. + +Now it is one thing to disparage yourself or your possessions, but it +is quite another matter when some one else does it. Consequently Chet +got himself heartily disliked before he had been at Riverview two hours. + +His conduct in the dining hall at supper time added to this. He +appeared in a dress suit--something that had never been known to happen +at the school save at some formal banquet. Then Chet found fault with +the food and with those who sat next him at table, for being a late +arrival he was placed with the lowest form boys, a sort of grammar +grade. + +"I'm not going to eat here!" Chet complained. "I want to be at the head +table." + +"You will have to speak to Dr. Doolittle about it," said one of the +monitors who waited on the table. + +"I will, and I'll have my seat changed too!" threatened the dude. + +"Positively he must be hazed to-night," whispered Andy to Frank +and a select crowd of his chums, and they agreed to it. "Be ready +then," ordered the younger Racer lad, who had assumed charge of the +arrangements. + +On the campus of Riverview there had been recently erected a large, new +and very strong flag pole. It was the gift of a former graduate, but as +yet the flag had not arrived. The halyards were all rigged, however, +and this suggested something to Andy. + +"We'll tie Chet to the ropes and hoist him to the top," he said. "That +will be a sign that he's better than the rest of us, as he's so much +above us. It ought to satisfy him." + +"Will it be safe?" asked Frank, who was more cautious. + +"The pole and ropes are strong enough," said Jack. + +"We can take some of the old mattresses that used to be in the +gymnasium," suggested Ward. "If he falls he'll land on them and not +hurt himself." + +"Wait! A better plan yet!" cried Andy. "We'll have a tub of water at +the foot of the pole and lower him into that. If he's so hot for polite +society he'll get cooled off." + +"Good!" cried the lads, and they laid their plans accordingly. + +It was the hour of midnight when several stealthy figures stole along +the corridor leading to the room which had been assigned to Chet Sedley. + +"Go easy," cautioned Andy. "Old Thorny may be on the job, and he'd +spoil the fun if he could." + +"Suppose Chet makes a row?" asked Frank. + +"I've got some rags I'm going to stuff in his mouth," answered his +brother. + +They found Chet's door locked, and to their cautious knock he made +answer: + +"Who's there?" + +"We represent the society of Blue Bloods," answered Andy in muffled +tones. "We'd like to have you join. It is a very secret society and we +only meet at night, as the professors are opposed to it. Will you come +out and join?" + +"Sure!" cried Chet, delighted to think that he had so soon been singled +out for the honor. "Wait until I dress." + +"Never mind that," hastily urged Andy. "We will dress you in the robes +of the novice as soon as we reach our rooms. Slip on a bath robe." + +"In a minute! In a minute!" said Chet hastily. They could hear him +moving about the room, and the next moment his door was opened. + +"This way," whispered Andy, taking care to keep his face in the shadow +of the single hall light. "Take my hand. Move on, true and loyal +members of the Blue Bloods! We have the honored candidate!" + +"I'm ever so much obliged for letting me join," began Chet. + +"Silence!" whispered Frank. "You may not be so glad--later," he added +in a low voice. + +The others managed to get Chet outside of the building before he +suspected anything, and without arousing any of the professors or +monitors. Then an unlucky gleam from a lamp shone on Andy's face. Chet +instantly drew back. + +"No, you don't!" he cried. "I see your scheme now! You are going to do +something to me!" + +"How'd you guess it?" demanded Andy. + +"I tell you I won't go!" cried the dudish pupil, struggling to break +away. + +"Quick with that gag or he'll arouse the school!" whispered Frank, and +a bundle of rags was quickly tied over Chet's mouth. His struggles were +in vain, as he was lifted up and fairly carried to the flag pole. + +It was the work of but a few minutes to fasten the rope about him, and +Frank took pains to see that it would not slip loose, so there would be +no danger. + +"Up with him!" exclaimed Andy. "He will be very much above us all +shortly." + +Chet made inarticulate murmurs, but could not speak. His struggles +availed him nothing. A moment later he was being hoisted to the top of +the pole. + +The boys were not cruel, and only held him there for a few seconds, as +they feared he would faint through fright. + +"Is the water ready?" asked Andy. + +"Ready, most noble knight of the flagstaff," answered Jack. + +"Then give him the cleansing bath!" was the order. + +The gag must have become loosened, for when Chet felt himself being +plunged into the cold water he let out a terrified yell. + +"Cut it out!" ordered Andy, but Chet only yelled the more. + +"We'd better vamoose," suggested Frank. "Take off the rope and run for +it. You run too, Chet, or you may catch cold. Run, you beggar! Run!" +and releasing the dripping figure Frank clapped Chet on the back, +shoving him toward the dormitory. + +"Oh, I'll pay you for this! I'll pay you!" wailed Chet. + +"Never mind, keep the change," said Andy laughing. "I guess you'll know +your friends after this. Come on, fellows, get rid of this tub," and +they picked it up and hastened off with it. + +The hazers entered their dormitory by a side door, which they had +previously opened with a skeleton key in anticipation of haste, but +Chet ran for the front entrance. His yells had aroused Professor +Callum, who, ever on the alert, had arisen to see what the disturbance +was. He opened the front portal and discovered the shivering figure +there. + +"Well, this is disgraceful!" the instructor exclaimed, as he recognized +the newcomer. "In school one afternoon and yet you go out after hours." + +"It was a--a--ha--hazing!" stammered Chet. + +"Ha! So much the worse! So you have been taking part in a hazing, have +you?" asked Mr. Callum. "You will be punished for that. To your room at +once!" and nothing Chet could say would appease the wrath, or make his +position understood. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + ON THE GRIDIRON + + +There was an investigation the next day, and Chet was allowed to tell +his side of the affair. + +"Hazing!" exclaimed Professor Callum, who, as head assistant, heard all +cases with Dr. Doolittle. "Such a thing has not occurred in Riverview +before in many years." + +Dr. Doolittle murmured something that sounded like "It might have been +a good thing if we had had more of it," but of course that _might_ +not have been what he said. + +"Are you willing to tell all about it, and disclose the names of those +who took part in the disgraceful affair?" asked Mr. Callum of Chet, who +was closeted with the instructor and the master. "If you do we may be +easier on you." + +"I'll tell everything," said the dude. + +Thereupon he related how he had been summoned to join the Society of +Blue Bloods. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "Then it would appear that you are not as +innocent as you would have us think. You were ready to violate the +school rules by going out after hours to join a secret society. That +was very reprehensible--very. You must be punished for that. I shall +have you do two hundred lines of Latin prose for me. Now you may tell +us who those were who hazed you. Is not that proper, Dr. Doolittle?" + +"Hum--er--yes, I suppose so," murmured the doctor doubtfully. + +Chet said nothing. + +"Well?" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "We are waiting. Who were the disgraceful +students who hazed you--ran you up to the top of the flagpole, as you +say, and dropped you into a tub of water? Who were they?" + +"I'm not going to tell!" suddenly exclaimed the new student. + +"You are not going to tell?" cried Mr. Callum, amazed. + +"No. If you're going to make me do a lot of that Latin stuff, after +I've been hazed, I'm not going to squeal on those fellows. I won't +tell!" + +Mr. Callum was dumbfounded. He gazed at Dr. Doolittle. + +"Ah--er--um--quite right," said the doctor. "I don't blame you for not +telling, Sedley. You may go." + +"But--but, my dear Dr. Doolittle!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "We must +maintain discipline!" + +"But there must be no tale-bearers in Riverview!" said the doctor +sharply. "You may go, Sedley." + +And Chet went with a queer feeling. Somehow he was pleased with +himself, and when the other lads heard how he had kept silent some of +them said: + +"Say, Andy, that fellow we hazed isn't so bad after all." + +"No. Perhaps he has the makings of a decent chap in him, if he'd stop +thinking so much about his clothes," answered Andy. + +It is true that Chet's refusal for "peaching" was mainly due to the +fact that he felt the punishment inflicted on himself to be unjust, and +so he would not aid the school authorities, but in spite of that he had +taken a step forward. And, while he did not become popular during his +stay at Riverview, and while he did much to annoy our heroes, he was +considerably improved. + +Meanwhile football practice went on. Gradually the raw material was +being developed into shape, and finally Professor Hardin, one of the +younger members of the faculty, came out one day to watch the lads +kicking the ball about. At the close of practice he called Andy and +Frank Racer aside. + +"If you would like me to, I will coach you boys," he said. "I used to +play on the Yale team." His tone was modest. + +"Are you _that_ Hardin?" cried Frank. "Coach us? Say, it would be +the best thing in the world for us! Maybe we can get up a 'varsity team +after all." + +"There is no doubt of it," replied Mr. Hardin. "You have some good +material in the two scrub elevens." + +Thus it came about that a 'varsity team was formed. It was no easy +work picking the eleven and their substitutes, for there were some +jealousies, but finally eleven lads were named and it was admitted that +they were the pick of the school. Jack Sanderson was named as captain, +Andy had the position at quarterback, which he had longed for, and +Frank was right halfback. + +"Now if the grounds were only in decent shape, maybe we could get a +game with Waterside or Milton," said Andy one day. + +"The only way to get the gridiron in shape is to do it yourselves," +said Mr. Hardin. "It will be good training for you boys. I think we can +find some shovels, picks and wheelbarrows. We can't do much with the +grandstands except to make them safe, but that's something. What do you +think about it?" + +"We'll do it!" cried Frank; and then he and his brother broached +the subject to their fellows. The result was that in the next +week the gridiron took on a much different appearance. The weeds +disappeared; the humps of dirt were leveled off, and the leaning fences +straightened. New goal posts were secured, and the grandstands made +tolerably secure in case of a crowd. + +"Now what we want is some games with good schools!" said Jack Sanderson +one day, following a hard struggle between the 'varsity and scrub. + +"Well, there's only one way to get them," said Frank. + +"How?" + +"Challenge Waterside and Milton. I'm going to do it right away. They +can't any more than laugh at us and turn us down." And in his capacity +as manager Frank hurried off to write the letters. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII + + LAUGHED AT + + +"That's the way to punt!" + +"Send one out this way, Frank!" + +"Here you go, Andy! Let's see you catch this." + +The boys of Riverview were out on the gridiron having some warm-up +practice before starting a game between the regular and scrub. It was +several days after the conference when Frank had decided on issuing +challenges to Waterside and Milton, and, in the meanwhile the grounds +had been further improved and the grandstands put in better shape. + +"We can give them a game on our grounds, if they'll play us," said +Andy, as he caught a swiftly kicked punt. + +"I'm afraid they'll insist on our going to theirs--if they play us," +replied Captain Jack. + +Frank ran down the field to get under a ball that had been sent high +into the air. He could not help noticing the improvement in the +gridiron. Truly, the students had worked like very beavers in getting +it into shape, and tired muscles and aching joints for many a day +told of the strain they had been under. Except for hiring some of the +heaviest work done, the boys had managed it all themselves, under the +direction of Professor Hardin. + +"And I'm not going to have all this work go to waste," thought Frank. +"If it's possible, we're going to play Milton and Waterside besides +some other schools. We may not win, or come anywhere near it, but it +will do the boys good to stack up against a real eleven instead of the +scrub." + +"Line up!" called Captain Jack. "We'll have a practice game, anyhow." + +The scrub was a good match for the regular and several times came near +scoring, which knowledge made Jack, Frank, Andy and their mates clench +their teeth, dig their cleated shoes into the turf, to brace and shove +to such good advantage that finally the ball was pushed over for a +'varsity touchdown. + +"That's what we'll do to Waterside," exclaimed Frank, as he paused to +get his breath. + +"If they'll only let us," said Jack. + +The game went on, becoming more fast and furious, until Coach Hardin +clapped his hands in delight. + +"That's _real_ playing!" the professor exclaimed. "These boys +will amount to something yet. I was afraid this school was going to +remain a dead one, but if it's got such material in it as the Racer +boys and their chums, it can't be so bad. But--well, maybe it will come +out right," and the professor shook his head rather ruefully. He was +thinking of his unpaid salary, and wondering if he would ever get it. +For of late more and more disquieting rumors had come to him of the +financial straits of Dr. Doolittle and the school. + +"If it comes to a crash I hope it will stand off until the boys have at +least one good game," he mused on, for he was a true lover of outdoor +sport. + +The football practice went on, the regular eleven winning by a larger +score than ever. The scrub players were correspondingly crestfallen. + +"Good work, Captain Jack!" complimented the coach. "The game was well +played throughout. Same to you, Scrubs!" Whereat they, the "goats," as +they dubbed themselves, smiled and forgot their bruises. + +"Where are you going?" asked Andy of his brother, later that afternoon, +as he saw Frank attiring himself with rather more than usual care. +"Something on?" + +"No, I'm just going to take a run in to Marsden. I've got to see Mr. +Bolton about that law business and the bonds for Mrs. Morton." + +"Oh ho! Gertrude going to meet you there?" + +"Of course not. Come along if you like." + +"I believe I will. I'm all up on my studies and the trip will do me +good. I got a beaut of a poke in the back to-day, and I'd like to get +some liniment for it. Going to be long?" + +"No, but it won't matter if we get back after hours. Old Thorny has +gone off to deliver a lecture, and there's some sort of a meeting in +the doctor's office. We won't get caught." + +"What's the meeting about?" + +"Oh, something about funds and money, I guess. Poor old doctor is +looking pretty blue these days. I'm afraid this place is getting more +on the fritz." + +"I'm afraid so too, and it's a shame after the way you worked to get +things going." + +"Oh, you did your share. But it can't be helped. However, I'm not going +to cross a bridge until I hear the rustlings of its wings. I wish we'd +hear from Waterside or Milton, though. They're taking their time about +answering those challenges." + +"Maybe they got heart disease at the nerve of Riverview asking for a +game." + +"Well, they needn't. We've got as good a team as either one, even if +our grounds aren't good. But come on," and Frank, having succeeded in +tying his scarf to his taste, made ready to start. + +The business with Lawyer Bolton was soon concluded. He said that +several unexpected difficulties had been met with in the sale of the +bonds because of lawsuits against the company issuing them. + +"But what need that matter?" asked Frank. "Mrs. Morton needs the money. +Now, why can't I advance it to her? I will! I don't much care whether +the bonds are good anyhow." + +"Ah, yes, that's easy enough to say," declared the lawyer, "but the +court has issued an injunction against the disposal of the bonds in any +way until this trouble is settled. The bonds are the only security for +the debt, so unless you want to give Mrs. Morton the money outright +nothing can be done until the matter is settled. I don't believe your +father would like you to use your money in that way without some +security." + +"Oh, I don't believe he'd care!" exclaimed Frank. "Give her the money +and have done with it." + +"Ah, yes, but she won't take it;" said Mr. Bolton. "I sounded her on +that when I found that the bonds were likely to be tied up, and she +refused to consider it. She is very independent, and she won't accept +money unless she gives what she believes to be good security. So you +see you'll have to wait." + +"And in the meanwhile Professor Thorndyke Callum may act and secure the +Morton home," said Frank dubiously. + +"Yes, he _may_," admitted Mr. Bolton. "But I'll do my best to +prevent that. In the meanwhile if anything occurs I'll let you know." +And with that the boys had to be content. + +It was early when they left the lawyer's office and, as they did not +want to return to school, they went into a moving picture show. + +"Look over there!" exclaimed Frank to his brother, during one of the +vaudeville acts, when the house was lighted. "Isn't that Captain +Loring, of the Waterside eleven?" + +"That's who it is," assented Andy after a glance at the youth whom +Frank indicated. "Why?" + +"Oh, nothing." + +But when the show was over the elder Racer lad hastened through the +crowd and touched a youth on the shoulder. + +"May I speak to you a moment, Loring?" he asked. + +"Oh, it's you, is it, Racer?" answered the other. They had met at the +boat race, and once or twice since. + +"Yes. Say, aren't you fellows going to answer our football challenge?" + +"Answer it? Why, I thought our manager did answer it. I'm almost sure +he did." + +"We haven't received it. But are you going to give us a game?" + +"What? Give you a game? Come, that's pretty rich. Say, Racer, look +here. I don't want to seem mean, but really we can't play you fellows, +you know. Ha! Ha! Why, it would be a joke!" And he laughed heartily. + +"Oh, a joke; eh?" and Frank's face was stern. + +"Now, it isn't my fault," went on Loring, seeing that the matter was +serious. "The fellows voted not to play you, that's all. Ha! Ha! You +really haven't a good team, you know." + +"If you'd play us you'd find out," said Andy, ready to take up the +battle with his brother. + +"Oh, we can't do that. We'd be laughed at," and once more Loring seemed +about to give way to mirth. + +"All right," assented Frank, for a curious crowd was beginning to +gather. "Some day you may be glad to play Riverview." + +"Not in a blue moon!" laughed Loring as he turned away. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII + + BUCKING THE LINE + + +Frank did not say much on the way home, and neither did Andy. But they +were doing a lot of thinking and their thoughts were not pleasant. The +rebuff just administered had been more humiliating than the letter in +regard to the rowing. + +"He needn't have laughed," said Frank in a low voice, as they neared +the school. + +"No, that was adding insult to injury," agreed Andy. "What are you +going to do?" + +"I don't know, exactly. Let's wait and see what the word is from +Milton. They may be more decent." + +They did not have long to wait for an answer from the other boarding +school farther up the river. There were two letters in Frank's room +when he and Andy successfully eluded the monitor and reached their +apartment. + +"Here's the answer from Waterside," announced Frank, holding up an +envelope bearing the imprint of that school. "And this is from Milton +Academy," he added, as he looked at the other. His hand shook a little +as he opened it, and his face, that had been gloomy when he began to +read, was more so as he finished. + +"Well?" asked Andy. + +"Nothing doing," answered Frank briefly. "They say we are not in their +class. I'm going to bed." + +The news was all over the school the next morning, and it created more +of a stir than had the first refusal of Waterside to row, for there +were more boys interested in football than in the race on the river. + +"It's a shame!" exclaimed Captain Jack vindictively. "I'd like a chance +to tell 'em so, too." + +"Better not get into a row with them as we did before," advised Frank. + +There were gloomy days that followed at Riverview. For a time the +gridiron was all but neglected, and only a few reported for practice. +Then Professor Hardin talked to the lads and for very shame's sake they +went back to work, the 'varsity hammering the scrub all over the field. + +The energetic coach did even better. He arranged for a game with a +semi-professional team that had the name of playing hard and fast +football. In a way they were more than a match for Riverview and Mr. +Hardin wanted to see how his lads would take a beating. + +The first part of the game was all in favor of the Lafayettes, as the +other team was called. They made a number of good plays, and seemed to +go through the line at will. But the coach noticed that his boys braced +at the last moment, and in needed spots, so that after the first two +periods there were only two touchdowns and a goal against them. + +"See if we can't wallop 'em!" exclaimed Frank, tenderly feeling of his +nose in the rest period. + +"We're going to!" fiercely cried Andy, as he shifted his shin guards. +"We're going to plow right through 'em!" + +And Riverview did, to the no small surprise of the Lafayette team. The +schoolboys shoved their opponents all over. They went through the line +and around ends. They gained on fake kicks and on the forward pass, and +they had the wing shift down to perfection. + +"If they don't win they're putting up the prettiest game I've seen in a +long while," said the enthusiastic coach. + +"It's the first time in a good many years that Riverview has had a +chance to show what she can do," said another instructor. "Oh, I hope +we do win!" + +And win they did! Perhaps it was from thinking of all the hard work +they had put in on their gridiron that made the lads resolve not +to have it go for naught. Inch by inch they fought their opponents +back. Time and again they bucked the line until they had rolled up +three touchdowns and kicked the goal for each one. Then, when time +was called, though they were a sore and suffering lot of lads, they +gathered in the center of the field and cheered their vanquished rivals +to the echo. And they were cheered in turn. + +"No wonder Waterside doesn't want to play you," said the captain of the +Lafayettes. "They're afraid of getting trimmed. Say, you didn't do a +thing to us!" + +"We'd like a chance to do the same to them," remarked Frank, feeling of +his left eye to see if it was going to close. + +"Well, we'll give you a recommendation," spoke the other captain, with +a rueful laugh. + +There was an increase of the number of candidates out to practice on +the gridiron the next Monday afternoon. Chet Sedley was among them, and +to the surprise of Frank and Andy, the dude did actually get into the +game on the scrub. + +"I'll show you fellows that I can play, even if I do dress well!" he +announced. Certainly he was not dressed well now, for he had on an old +suit someone had loaned him. But Chet was not destined for a football +player. At the first scrimmage he fell with about eight lads on top of +him, and his mouth and nose were down in the soft dirt. + +"Get up off me! Ouch! This is no way to play! It ain't fair to sit on a +fellow's head that way!" + +Thus yelled Chet, while his mates laughed at him. But I will do him the +justice to say that his hazing had done him good, and he was not nearly +so unpopular as he at first threatened to become. But football was not +his forte, and after a few more trials he gave it up. + +"But I'll make the baseball nine in the spring," he declared, as he +retired to the side lines. "That isn't so rough." + +For the sake of getting a line on the play of their rivals the +Riverview eleven went to see the annual contest between Milton and +Waterside, played on the former's grounds. It was a good game, and well +contested, and for a time seemed to be in favor of Waterside. + +Then came several costly fumbles, of which Milton took quick advantage, +and when the final whistle blew the score was twenty-two to ten in +favor of Milton. Waterside had been badly beaten. + +"Say, that's a surprise," commented Andy, as he and his brother left +the grounds. + +"A good surprise for us, I think," said Frank. + +"Why?" + +"Because maybe Waterside will take us on now. They know how we trimmed +Lafayette and now that they have been trimmed in turn by Milton, they +may not be so high and mighty. I'm going to send another challenge." + +Some thought it was foolish and a waste of time, but Frank persisted. +He got an answer more quickly than before, and it showed the +correctness of his reasoning. + +"We will play you next Saturday on our grounds," said the note from the +Waterside manager. "Kindly arrange details." + +"Whoop! Hurray!" yelled Frank, rushing from one member of the team to +another with the letter. "Now we'll have to do some tall practicing." + +And next day the line-bucking of the regulars was so fierce that +several of the scrubs were knocked out. There was a grim smile on the +faces of the Racer boys and the coach. + +"I think they'll play a great game--a great game," whispered Mr. Hardin +as he watched them at practice. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX + + THE LAST TOUCHDOWN + + +"Line up! Line up!" + +"Come on now, fellows, and don't forget that wing shift signal." + +"Pass the ball over here." + +"Say, Cap, give me a chance at some end runs." + +"Work me through center all you want. I think there's a weak spot in +their line." + +"Come on, now, everybody line up!" + +It was the Riverview football team at warm-up practice on the grounds +of their rivals, just prior to the big game. I say big game, for the +Racer boys and their chums so regarded it from their standpoint, +though, it must be confessed that Waterside expected to win easily, and +only gave their opponents a game in order to prove how badly they could +beat them. + +But Frank and his chums were full of confidence. They knew they could +play well, and they were in the pink of condition. Of course there +might be a slump, and a fumble is likely to occur in any game, to make +or break it. + +On the other side of the fine big gridiron the Waterside lads were at +practice. + +"They're beefy," said Captain Jack, a bit dubiously. + +"They _are_ a bit heavier than we are," admitted Andy, "but we +have more speed. Look how slowly they worked that forward pass." + +"They may be doing it for a bluff," said Duke Yardly. + +"There's no bluff about this gridiron and their grandstands," declared +Donald Burgess. "This sure is a peach school." + +Nearly every lad contrasted it with Riverview, to the disadvantage of +the latter institution. + +"Never mind," spoke Frank. "Win this game and we may have a better +football field--some day." + +Jack Sanderson won the toss and selected the north goal, as that gave +him the advantage of a stiff little wind, and he realized that if his +team could score first it would put heart into the lads--heart that +would more than make up for the extra weight of the Waterside eleven. + +Ping! The new yellow ball sailed high into the air, and went rolling +well into Riverview's territory. Frank caught it and went back on the +run, well protected by interference. But with a rush Waterside was +bearing down on him in a bunch, while from thousands of throats came +hoarse yells. + +"Go on, old man! Go on!" someone implored Frank. + +He did try to go on, but now there was a miniature mountain of flesh +upon him. + +"Down!" he gasped, and then they lined up for the first scrimmage. + +It was hot, fierce and fast work. After a couple of tries at the line, +Captain Jack saw that it was going to be heavy work, so he began the +kicking tactics that had been agreed upon. Here the wind favored +Riverview very much, and though Waterside sent the ball back time and +again, the net result at the end of five minutes' play was decidedly +with our heroes. + +"Now we've got to rush it over for a touchdown!" said Frank, as they +lined up two yards from the Waterside goal line. It was a desperate +try, but it was successful, and Andy was shoved over the necessary +distance. + +"Touchdown! Touchdown!" yelled the frantic and enthusiastic supporters +of Riverview. "Now get another!" + +The goal was kicked, and then began the fierce playing again. It was +more than a mere game. Riverview was actually fighting for life--or +at least recognition among her fellows. With grim despair her boys +hugged the ball when they had it, and dashed into the line like young +battering rams. And when it came their turn to stop a rush they did it +with such fierceness that several of the Waterside players were put out +temporarily. + +In good stead did the grueling practice our heroes had had on their +rough gridiron stand them now. Of course the game went against them at +times, and once, just before the end of the second quarter, it looked +as if Waterside would get another touchdown in addition to the one she +had already made, which would have put her well ahead. But Frank saved +the day by a brilliant tackle almost on the goal line and the welcome +whistle blew. So far the score was a tie. + +There was no let up in the fierce playing when the third period +started. Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward were "playing their heads off," as +the coach said. But it was needed. + +For Waterside was smarting at the manner in which her players were +being hurled back. + +"We've just _got_ to win!" said Frank fiercely. + +In the third period neither side scored, though Riverview came close to +it, and would have done so but for a most unfair decision. There was a +howl of protest, but Captain Jack silenced it among his lads. + +"We'll win anyhow," he said calmly. + +The time was almost up. There had been an exchange of kicks, some +fierce line-bucking, and several trick plays tried. Waterside had been +forced back until once more the line-up was not far from the fatal +white line on which the two posts stood. + +"Over she goes now, boys!" called Andy, who was at quarter. This was +the prearranged signal for a sequence of plays--that is, several, one +after the other, without further instructions being given. + +Donald Burgess hurled himself at the line, hoping to get through, but +he only made a yard. Then came the turn of Duke Yardly, and he was able +only to tear off about four feet. + +"Now, Frank, it's up to you!" whispered his brother desperately. Frank +set his teeth grimly, and when the pigskin came back to him he threw +himself into an opening that was torn for him between tackle and guard +on the left. Forward he went, worming his way. He felt hands clutching +at him, he felt feet kicking him. His head swam, his eyes saw black. +His breath seemed leaving him, and there was a tremendous pressure on +his chest, but he got through, and when he found himself flat on his +face, with the ball under him, he looked to see that he was beyond the +chalk mark. Riverview had made the last touchdown and won the game! + +Oh, what a pandemonium broke loose then! How the little contingent of +Riverview boys, as compared with the big crowd of their rivals, yelled +and shouted. + +After the first stupefying knowledge that they had been beaten, and +by a despised rival, Waterside remembered her manners and cheered +her opponents. And the gridiron was quickly covered with a mass of +spectators who insisted on carrying on their shoulders the lads who had +won. + +"Oh, cut it out!" implored Frank and the others, but it was not to be. + +"It was great! Glorious! Fine! Oh, I can't find words enough for it!" +cried Gertrude Morton a little later, as she insisted on shaking hands +with Frank, even though his palms were covered with mud and grass +stains. + +"Oh, I'm so glad you've won!" cried Grace Knox, as she approached the +blushing Andy. + +"You're coming right along! You'll be the champions of the +Interscholastic League," said one admirer of our heroes. + +"We're not in the League, but we may be if we can beat Milton," spoke +Frank grimly. "We want their scalps next." + +"Are you going to challenge them again?" asked Andy. + +"Sure. It's the only thing to do. Why, the championship is between us +now, and I guess Milton won't back down." + +And she did not. A few days after the memorable victory of Riverview, +Frank's second challenge to Milton Academy was accepted. + + "We will have to play on your grounds," the letter stated, "as our + gridiron is going to be used by the freshman team that day." + +"Our grounds!" exclaimed Frank. "Well, they're pretty punk, compared to +theirs, but they'll have to do. And we can play better at home." + +"What if we should win?" cried Andy, capering about. + +"Did you say _if_?" asked Frank. "Of course we're going to win. +Now come on, we've got to do something more to those grandstands, and +I'd like to see the gridiron in a little better shape." + +Between times at practice the lads worked on the grounds until they +were in fairly good condition. There was an early indication that a +goodly crowd would be present, as the championship of the football +season practically lay between Riverview and Milton. + +It was the day before the big game--the game on which our heroes +counted more than on the previous one. The members of the eleven were +just returning from practice when a notice on one of the bulletin +boards caught Frank's eye. + +"What's this?" he asked, stopping to read it. The others crowded around +him. + + "Owing to financial difficulties," the notice stated, "it will be + impossible for the trustees further to conduct Riverview Hall. The + term will come to a close to-morrow and the pupils may return to + their homes. Arrangements about returning the unused part of the + tuition fees will be made with students' parents." + +Dr. Doolittle's name was signed to the notice, and the boys could not +but help observing that the characters were very shaky, as if the good +doctor's hand had trembled very much. + +"Riverview Hall going to close!" gasped Andy. + +"And just when we've got her in good running shape!" cried Frank. "This +sure _is_ tough luck!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXX + + A NEW SCHOOL--CONCLUSION + + +The disquieting news was only too true, as the boys soon learned. +Little else was being talked of in the dormitories and classrooms when +the football squad entered. Professor Callum was seen going in and out +of the doctor's study, his crabbed and wrinkled face twisted into a +heavy scowl. Other instructors looked worried, for their salaries were +long overdue. + +A long series of misfortunes to a man never very well qualified for +financial matters, with debts accumulating, few wealthy patrons, no +endowment worth mentioning, with the buildings in need of repair, and +with a new heating plant vitally needed, as winter was coming on, it is +no wonder that Dr. Doolittle had to close the school. + +"He has thrown up the sponge and taken the count," said Duke Yardly, +who was addicted to sporting terms. "Poor old Doc! Well, I suppose this +knocks our football game in the head." + +"Not at all!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "We'll play it. Riverview +doesn't close until to-morrow. To-morrow lasts until midnight The +game will be over by six, consequently we are a recognized school +until after the game, and when we beat Milton Academy, as we're going +to, we'll be the champions of the Interscholastic League--for about a +minute!" and he laughed mirthlessly. + +"Sure we'll play!" declared Andy, and gradually the feeling of +despondency wore off in a measure, for the boys were all healthy lads +and sport appealed to them. + +"But we won't give up until the last whistle!" said the elder Racer lad. + +"No, indeed!" agreed his brother. "And, win or lose, we'll have some +fun to-morrow night. We'll play no end of jokes----" + +"Say, you'd joke if Rome was burning, wouldn't you?" asked Frank. + +"Don't know. Never had a chance to try," answered Andy, with a grin. + +As it was Saturday there were no lectures, but the usual morning +devotional exercises were held in chapel. The doctor read a selection +from one of the grand old psalms, and if his voice faltered at times, +and if his eyes were dim, who shall say that in the crowd of boys who +listened to him, thoughtless as they might be at times, there were not +some who also felt a mist of tears obscure their vision. + +"I presume you have all heard the news," said Dr. Doolittle, as the +final hymn was sung, "I have nothing to add to the notice I posted. +I bid you all good-by," and he turned aside, while Professor Hardin +placed his arm about the venerable figure and led the head of the +school from the platform. + +There was, necessarily, a period of sadness when the boys filed out +of chapel, but it soon passed away. Their young minds were tuned to +pleasure, and as there was yet much to be done to get the gridiron and +stands in readiness for the day's game they busied themselves about it. + +"The last day at old Riverview!" exclaimed Andy, looking about as he +and Frank stood on the field. "Well, we've had some good times here." + +"We sure have," agreed his brother, "and we're going to have a +_hot_ one pretty soon. Those Milton fellows will be here in a +little while." + + * * * * * + +Some hours later there was a sound of cheering, a blowing of horns +and ringing of bells. Shouts, snatches of songs, school yells, and +mere whoops of joy. The Milton football team and their supporters were +arriving. Riverview greeted them no less enthusiastically. Out on the +gridiron swarmed the lads in their ungainly suits. + +I am not going to try to describe that last game to you in detail. +Ask any old Riverview student, or, for that matter, any old Milton +graduate to tell you about it, and he can do it much better than can I. +Sufficient to say that it began with a rush and ended with a rush, and +there were rush plays every minute of it. + +Never, so said old football men, had such a fierce contest been seen +except among college teams. It was as if Riverview was playing for life +and Milton for reputation. + +"If we die, then we die fighting gloriously!" quoted Frank, at the +middle period when neither side had scored. "They are sure tough, but +we're tougher! We're going to win and lay it as a last tribute on old +Riverview's grave." + +"Of course we'll win!" cried Andy. + +Up to the ending of the third period the goal line of neither side had +been crossed, though the ball had been perilously close a number of +times. There were cheers, songs and wild yells from the grandstands, +which swayed dangerously under the stamping feet. + +At last Riverview got the very chance she needed. Milton had the ball, +and her player was coming through center with it. But Frank made a +magnificent leap and broke through the interference. There was a +fierce tackle, a fumble and our hero had the pigskin. Then, like a +flash, he had tucked it under his arm and was off down the field. + +"Wow! Wow! Good work. Pretty! Get a touchdown!" was yelled after him. + +"And a touchdown it's going to be!" whispered Frank desperately to +himself. + +How he did it he hardly knew himself, afterward. There was one man +between him and the goal, and when Frank broke away from a fierce +tackle that man lay prone upon the ground motionless. And Frank was +over the line, sitting on the ball, while the whistle blew, ending the +game. Riverview had won! + +"Good! Good! That's the stuff! Well played! A plucky run! Riverview +forever! A new day for her! Wow! Who was that lad?" + +So cried a well-dressed man who was leaping about in the grandstand +after Frank's sensational run. This man had been watching the game +with critical eyes. He had also been letting his gaze rove about the +grounds, and down toward the repaired boathouse that had been treated +to a coat of paint, for which our heroes paid. + +"Who was he? Is he a regular student here?" demanded the man, ceasing +his frantic yelling for a moment and resting his cane, with which he +had been pounding holes in the floor of the rotten grandstand. "Who is +he?" + +"Frank Racer," someone told him. + +"Oh, one of the Racer boys. I've heard about them. I know their father. +But say, this was a peach of a game!--I--I--is Dr. Doolittle here?" and +the well-dressed stranger looked about. He seemed laboring under some +repressed excitement. + +Someone told him of the impending closing of the school, and how Dr. +Doolittle was in retirement. + +"This school going to close? I guess not!" cried the man. "Not if I +know it. Here, let me pass, please. I want to see Dr. Doolittle. Any +boys that can play football the way these lads have played to-day +aren't going to be turned out of a school. Why, I used to attend here, +years ago, but I never could play football like that. Wow! What a run! +What a run!" + +The man was pushing his way through a wondering and enthusiastic crowd. +Out on the gridiron the Riverview team was capering about in delight. +They had cheered their gloomy rivals and been cheered in turn. The +field was being overflowed by a mass of people. + +"You fellows are sure wonders!" cried the captain of the Miltons. "We +came for your scalps, but you got ours. How did you do it?" + +"We just _had_ to," said Frank simply. + +A messenger boy thrust his way through the crowd. + +"Frank Racer!" he called. + +"Here I am," answered our hero. + +He tore open the envelope that was handed to him, and his face went red. + +"Hang that Thorny!" he exclaimed. "I've got to go to see Gertrude and +her mother," he explained in a low voice to his brother. "Professor +Callum is putting on the screws again. He's got out another attachment. +I guess this business here, when he fears he'll lose his back salary, +made him do it. I'm going to see Mr. Bolton right away. You pack up the +things." + +"What things?" + +"Why, our clothes and stuff. We're going home. Riverview is up the +spout." + +"That's so. My, isn't it tough! And just when we won the best game of +the season!" cried Andy. + +But Frank did not hear him. He was hurrying over the field on his way +to the dressing-room, unheeding the calls of his comrades to stay and +join in a final celebration. + +"This is the end," Frank was saying to Lawyer Bolton a little later. "I +want this business settled and Mr. Callum prevented from annoying Mrs. +Morton." + +"And I was just going to send you word that it would be," said the +lawyer. "The bonds have just been sold at a handsome profit. The +court proceedings are over and the widow and her daughter are in good +circumstances. Professor Callum's money is ready for him, and the +attachment will be vacated at once. Here is the court order. I've been +attending to the case all day." + +"And we've been playing football--we won," explained Frank briefly. + +"Then maybe you'd like to take these papers to Mrs. Morton," suggested +the lawyer. "I will send her a check next week." + +Frank lost no time in going to the house of the widow. At first she +could not believe the good news, but when he showed her the court order +vacating the attachment she wept. This time no one had been put in +possession, so it was not necessary to get rid of an unwelcome visitor. + +"And so you won the game," Gertrude said to Frank a little later. "I +wanted to come, but--well, I couldn't leave mother." + +"I understand," he said, as he shook hands at parting. "Now I've got to +go back to school and help Andy pack up." + +"You--you aren't going?" she faltered. + +"Got to. School's broken up," he said. "But I'm going to +Waterside--Andy and I--if we can persuade dad to send us. So I--I'll +see you again." + +"Oh," said she, and she smiled, and seemed pleased. + +When Frank got back to school he found a crowd of joyous and yelling +students out on the campus. A big fire had been built, and the crowd +was marching about it singing. + +"Humph! They don't seem to be taking it very seriously," he mused. "I +thought they'd feel rather broken up about the old school closing." +There was a mist of tears in his own eyes, for, though he had not been +there long, he had formed a liking for the place, and for Dr. Doolittle. + +"Hey, what's up, Andy?" he called a moment later to his brother. "Are +they celebrating the football victory? Have you got our traps packed +up?" + +"No, to both questions!" fairly roared Andy. "We're not celebrating +the football victory, because we're celebrating something else, and I +haven't got our things packed up because we're not going home." + +"Why not--isn't Riverview Hall closed?" + +"Not much. Say, it's great news. Mr. Lairman, that millionaire who +once refused to invest in Riverview, changed his mind after he saw how +we could play football to-day. He was in the grandstand. That was he +yelling so after you made that dandy run. He saw we had a good team, he +saw how we'd fixed up the gridiron and the boathouse, and he's going to +make a new school of this. He's bought a half interest and he's paid +Dr. Doolittle about a million in cash, I guess. Wow! But it's great +news! There's going to be practically a new school at Riverview--a gym, +a football field that's going to beat the old one all to pieces, a new +diamond, lots of shells, a new boathouse, new buildings--say--pinch me +so I'll know I'm not asleep." + +"Is this true?" asked Frank of several of his chums. + +"Sure thing!" Jack assured him. "That millionaire was an old graduate +and he's made good. Now he's going to make a new school of this. He +just told us in a little speech. He's all right. Dr. Doolittle's +troubles are over and I guess he's glad of it. Now he can translate +Chinese, Assyrian and Chocktaw until the cows come home, and he won't +have to worry." + +"Come on! Join the festive throng!" cried Andy, seizing his brother by +the hand. "This is the day we celebrate! How did you make out with Old +Thorny?" + +"Oh, he's down and out. Mrs. Morton has her money and everything is +lovely." + +"Good," broke in Andy, "and there's more news. Thorny is going to +leave. He and Dr. Doolittle and the millionaire had a row and Old +Thorny quit. Wow! but I'm glad. We're going to stay here now and be the +champion baseball players next spring. Come on. Let joy be unconfined. +Mrs. Stone had a bang-up supper ready for us. Wow!" + +And a little later formal announcement was made of the rejuvenation of +Riverview Hall at an impromptu supper which the matron prepared for the +lads. And such a supper as it was! They talk about it yet in the new +school. + +"Well, now we can settle down to study after we've made ourselves +champions," said Frank, as he got up from the table. + +"Yes, I wonder what will happen next?" asked Andy. + +What did, and how the Racer boys conducted themselves in another +succession of surprising happenings will be told in the next volume of +this series, to be called "Frank and Andy in a Winter Camp; or, The +Young Hunters' Strange Discovery." + +And so, as the lads are making merry over the supper, and rejoicing in +the great victory, and in the prospects of a new school to take the +place of the old one--in which work none had such a prominent part as +the Racer boys--we will take leave of them and their chums. + + + THE END + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75261 *** diff --git a/75261-h/75261-h.htm b/75261-h/75261-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..18603e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/75261-h/75261-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7112 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Frank and Andy at Boarding School | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; 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+} + +div.titlepage p { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + font-weight: bold; + line-height: 1.5; + margin-top: 3em; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 4px; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph1 { font-size: x-large; margin: .83em auto; } + +.ph2 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph2 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } + +.ph3 { text-align: right; text-indent: 0em; } +.ph3 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75261 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter x-ebookmaker-drop"> + <img src="images/illusc.jpg" alt=""> +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<div class="titlepage"> + +<h1>FRANK AND ANDY AT BOARDING SCHOOL</h1> + +<p>OR</p> + +<h2>RIVALS FOR MANY HONORS</h2> + +<p class="ph1">BY VANCE BARNUM</p> + +<p>AUTHOR OF "FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT," +<br> "FRANK AND ANDY IN A +WINTER CAMP,"<br> "THE JOE STRONG SERIES."</p> + +<p>WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO.<br> +RACINE, WISCONSIN</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">IN TROUBLE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">THE WRECK OF THE BED</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">"I'LL STICK IT OUT!"</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">ALMOST CAUGHT</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">A BULLY DEFIED</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">MISS MORTON'S TROUBLES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">TO THE RESCUE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">OVER THE RIVER</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">THE MILLIONAIRE ARRIVES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">AN ANGRY PROFESSOR</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">THE OLD SHELL</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">THE DISCOVERY</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">OUT IN THE SHELL</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">THE CHALLENGE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">AN INSULTING REPLY</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">A SCHOOL BATTLE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">PROFESSOR CALLUM SCORES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">A MEAN TRICK</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">THE FIGHT</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">THE BOAT RACE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">SPEAKING THEIR MINDS</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHET SEDLEY ARRIVES</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXV.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">A HAZING</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">ON THE GRIDIRON</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">LAUGHED AT</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">BUCKING THE LINE</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">THE LAST TOUCHDOWN</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">XXX.</td> <td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">A NEW SCHOOL--CONCLUSION</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap"> + + +<h2>FRANK AND ANDY AT BOARDING SCHOOL</h2> + + + +<hr class="chap"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">IN TROUBLE</p> + + +<p>"We ought to be there pretty soon now; eh Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; the captain said it wasn't a very long trip, and we've been on +this boat quite a while."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Riverview Hall looks like—what sort of a school it is?" +and Andy Racer glanced at his older brother as they paced the deck of a +river steamer that was plowing its way up a pleasant stream.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Andy," and Frank Racer seemed a bit puzzled. "It must be +a good school, or dad and mother wouldn't have picked it out for us."</p> + +<p>"Yet neither one of them saw the place before they decided on it," +objected Andy with a smile on his pleasant face.</p> + +<p>"Except that mother knew Dr. Wesley Doolittle, the principal, and she +thought we needed to go to some quiet place, after the lively times we +had this summer."</p> + +<p>"Smoked lobsters!" exclaimed Andy. "I hope it's not <i>too</i> quiet. +I want to have some fun when I go off to boarding school. Say, Frank, +see that man sleeping over there by the smokestack?" and the lad +motioned in the direction.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see him. What of it?"</p> + +<p>"I've got one of those rubber spiders in my pocket. You know, the kind +that you dangle on a string. I'll sneak up behind him, and hold it over +his head. Then you make a loud noise and he'll wake up. He'll have a +fit when he sees a big bug about to fall on him. Come ahead," and Andy, +who was always on the alert for fun or a joke, started toward the man.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "I've gotten into enough +trouble with you and your jokes since we started from New York. You +wait until you get to school before you try any more funny business. +Have you forgotten how the lobster you wanted to nip Chet Sedley nipped +you?"</p> + +<p>"Wow! I should say not. But this trip is getting slow. I wish something +would happen. Come on, let's go on the upper deck where we can see +better. We may sight Riverview Hall."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll see enough of that before we get through with it. But, Andy, +I'm as anxious as you are to know what kind of a place it is, and I +won't be sorry when we locate it. Come on; walking about is more fun +than standing still."</p> + +<p>The two boys, Frank Racer, aged about fifteen and his brother Andy, a +year younger, who were on their way to boarding school for the first +time in their lives, walked away together.</p> + +<p>They had left their home in New York city early that morning, and after +traveling some distance by train had boarded the steamer that was to +take them to Riverview Hall, an institution of learning located on +Halcyon river in the western part of New York state.</p> + +<p>The boat was making fair time up the stream, which was a good sized +one, and quite broad. As the craft made a turn, giving a good view +for some distance up the river, Andy, who had taken a position well +forward, on the upper deck, uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"See, Frank!" he exclaimed, catching his brother by the arm. "There's +some sort of an academy or college, right on that point of land about +a mile up. That's a dandy location. And say, it's a big school, too. +There'd be lots of chance to have fun on the water there. I'll bet they +have rowing races. Crackey! we'll have some sport!" and Andy began +capering about on the deck.</p> + +<p>Frank looked interested and gazed at the big, and evidently new +college, or school, which they were rapidly approaching.</p> + +<p>"If that's Riverview Hall," he said, "it's all right, and a better +place than I expected. That doesn't look like a nice, quiet school +though, such as mother thought she was picking out. But I'm going to +ask some one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's Riverview all right," Andy insisted. But Frank had turned +aside, and was speaking to a gentleman who had approached the lads.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me, sir," asked the older lad, "if that is Riverview +Hall? We expect to attend school there."</p> + +<p>The gentleman looked to where Frank pointed.</p> + +<p>"That," he replied with a smile, "is Waterside Hall. It is one of the +best schools in this part of the country. It is not so very old, but +there are more students than it can accommodate. It's a fine place. I +have a boy going there," and he seemed very proud of the fact.</p> + +<p>For a moment Andy and Frank were a little bit too disappointed to +speak. Then Andy asked:</p> + +<p>"Isn't Riverview Hall somewhere about here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, about five miles farther up the river."</p> + +<p>"Is that anything like—I mean what sort of a place is it?" and Frank +anxiously waited for the reply.</p> + +<p>The gentleman looked critically at the two lads.</p> + +<p>"Riverview Hall," he said slowly, "well, it was a good school once, +but now—" he paused and shrugged his shoulders. "It's old and out of +date," he went on. "In fact it is fast losing what little prestige it +had. It isn't to be compared with Waterside Hall. Now <i>that</i> is +a school to be proud of!" and he waved his hand toward the group of +buildings, surrounded by a green campus that came to the river's edge. +The boat was just opposite it now.</p> + +<p>"But Riverview Hall," the man added, "I wouldn't let a son of mine go +there, and I wouldn't advise any one to go who wanted to be at a real, +live, up-to-date school," and then, evidently forgetting that our +heroes had remarked that they expected to attend Riverview Hall, the +gentleman turned aside, unconscious of having said anything to cause +the lads uneasiness.</p> + +<p>Andy and Frank continued to gaze regretfully at the big new school +they were passing. They could see groups of students—early term +arrivals—running about, while another group of lads were just putting +into the water a fine eight-oared shell.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear what he said, Frank?" asked Andy in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Sure. I couldn't very well help it."</p> + +<p>"Riverview Hall old and out-of-date," murmured Andy slowly.</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't let a son of his go there," added Frank.</p> + +<p>"And we're going as fast as the boat can take us," went on his younger +brother with something like a groan. "Say, we're in for it now, for +keeps! And see what we're missing." He waved his hand toward Waterside, +which they were now leaving behind. "Why didn't dad and mother pick out +that place for us?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Give it up," replied Frank. "It's too late now."</p> + +<p>Almost despondent over the reputation that had been so unexpectedly +given their prospective school, and yet hoping against hope that it +might not turn out as badly as they expected, the lads went to a lower +deck.</p> + +<p>"Maybe that man didn't know what he was talking about," suggested Andy, +when they had reached a quiet corner, just outside one of the small +cabins.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he did," said Frank. "He said he had a son going to +Waterside, so he must live around here and he's probably acquainted. +Well, we've got to make the best of it. I guess—"</p> + +<p>But Frank did not finish what he was going to say. His words were +interrupted by hearing a voice, evidently raised in anger, as this +exclamation was audible:</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you one thing, Miss! That money has got to be paid, +and that's all there is about it! If your mother can't pay it, then I +look to you. I want my rights!" and there came a sound of a fist being +banged down most emphatically on woodwork.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir! Can't you wait a little longer? You know we would pay you +if we could. But we can't raise any cash on those securities, as we +expected, or we—"</p> + +<p>"That will do now, young lady. I've listened to enough excuses. I want +my money, and if I don't get it I'll take means that you and your +mother won't like. Do you hear me?"</p> + +<p>Once more the fist was banged down. It was followed by a sound +indicating unmistakably that a girl was sobbing. Andy and Frank looked +at each other. Then they gazed in through the cabin door, near which +they were standing, and saw a very pretty girl, about fourteen years of +age, confronted by a tall, grizzled man, wearing a rusty black suit and +a black string tie fastened around an old-fashioned collar. The man's +countenance was in keeping with his clothes. He was smooth shaven, but +his face was full of wrinkles. There were hard lines about his mouth, +the corners of which were drawn down, while his eyes, which peered out +from behind large spectacles, had shaggy, overhanging brows.</p> + +<p>"Nice looking chap—not," murmured Andy.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" whispered Frank. "Come away, it's none of our affair."</p> + +<p>But, before they could move, the girl burst into such a fit of crying +that the sympathies of both lads were aroused. The man and the girl +were the only occupants of the cabin, and there was no one else near +on the outside deck save Andy and Frank. The girl continued to sob +pitifully, her face covered with her hands.</p> + +<p>The man took her roughly by the arm. The girl raised her tear-stained +face and indignantly pulled herself away. The man took a step toward +her and the girl's face grew white with fear. She seemed about to +scream.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this!" murmured Frank to Andy. "I'm going to help her in +her trouble, whether it's our business or not."</p> + +<p>"And I'm with you!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>Frank stepped into the little cabin. The two occupants of it were too +excited to notice him for a moment. Then the Racer lad said:</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Miss, but I see you are in trouble. Can I help you in any +way? My brother and I would be very glad to. Is there anything we can +do?"</p> + +<p>The girl looked at the two lads gratefully, though in some surprise. +There was a look of anger on the face of the crabbed man.</p> + +<p>"I—I thank you very much," said the girl in a low voice. "I think that +Mr. Callum forgot himself for a moment. He will not be guilty of such +conduct again." She looked at him fearlessly. "It is very kind of +you," she went on, addressing the lads, "but there is nothing you can +do, thank you so much, though." She smiled through her tears; smiled at +Frank, so Andy said afterward. "Mr. Callum will not annoy me again."</p> + +<p>This seemed to be too much for the crabbed old man.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" he cried in anger, addressing Frank and Andy. "What right +have you got to interfere with me? This is none of your business."</p> + +<p>"It's the business of every gentleman when a lady is in distress to try +to help her," replied Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you mind your own affairs and let mine alone!" snarled the +man. "I can attend to my own business. I'll settle matters with this +young lady and perhaps in a manner she doesn't like. As for you young +fellows, take my advice and don't interfere with me. I won't stand it! +I tell you I won't stand it!"</p> + +<p>He smote the palm of one hand with the fist of the other and fairly +glared at the boys. Frank returned his gaze fearlessly.</p> + +<p>"Now you mind that!" went on the man. "I don't want you interfering in +my affairs, or you'll wish you hadn't. As for you, Miss Morton—I'll +see you or your mother again," and with that the unpleasant personage +turned on his heel and strode out of the cabin door, casting a look +full of meanness at our heroes.</p> + +<p>The girl and the two boys stood facing each other in the little cabin.</p> + +<p>"It was very kind of you," she murmured, looking at Frank, and blushing +slightly.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure there is nothing we can do to help you?" eagerly asked +the elder Racer lad. The girl was fast recovering her composure, and +the traces of tears were vanishing.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," she said gently. "It's just some trouble about money +matters that I hope will soon be straightened out. I did not know he +was aboard or I would not have come by this boat."</p> + +<p>"Well, if there is anything we can do, please let us know," went on the +elder lad. "My name is Frank Racer, and this is my brother Andy."</p> + +<p>"I am Miss Gertrude Morton, of Dailsburg," said the girl as she shook +hands with the boys. "I can't thank you enough for what you did. I +don't suppose he meant any real harm, but he frightened me."</p> + +<p>"The brute!" murmured Frank, clenching his fists as he looked at Miss +Gertrude's pretty face.</p> + +<p>"Do you boys live around here?" she asked, after a pause. "I live just +a few miles up the river, not far from Riverview Hall."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" exclaimed Frank—very eagerly Andy thought. "We are +going to school there. We're on our way now."</p> + +<p>The girl looked very much surprised.</p> + +<p>"By the way, who was that man who spoke so harshly?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you know him?" inquired Miss Morton. "If you—but you say +you are just going to Riverview Hall. Then you will soon make his +acquaintance, for he is Professor Thorndyke Callum, the head assistant +at Riverview."</p> + +<p>For a moment amazement held Frank and Andy dumb. Then the older lad +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! Head assistant at Riverview! What are we up against? +He'll have it in for us after what we did."</p> + +<p>The girl looked half alarmed and half amused as she bowed to the boys +and left the cabin. Andy and Frank stood staring at one another.</p> + +<p>"We sure are up against it!" murmured the younger lad at length. "A +punk school to start with, and in bad with the head professor from the +very beginning! Wow! Wow! What are we going to do, Frank?"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE WRECK OF THE BED</p> + + +<p>Andy's question was not answered immediately. He and Frank were busily +engaged in thinking. The scene through which they had just passed +with Professor Callum and Miss Gertrude Morton, and the surprising +announcement of the man who had told them about Riverview Hall gave +them plenty about which to reflect.</p> + +<p>And I shall have no better opportunity than this of telling you a +little more about the two lads, for they are seldom quiet long enough +at a time to enable one to get an idea of their characters. They are +always on the go, Andy especially, for he never misses a chance to have +some fun or play a joke.</p> + +<p>Frank and Andy Racer were fine fellows. They were the sons of Mr. +Richard Racer, and his wife, Olivia. Mr. Racer was a wholesale silk +merchant, in business in New York, where his winter home was located. +His summer residence was at Harbor View, a coast resort about thirty +miles from the metropolis.</p> + +<p>There, as told in the first volume of this series, entitled "Frank and +Andy Afloat" the boys had many adventures. They were out rowing one day +when a whale attacked them. Andy's boat was hit, but his brother saved +him. Later they went for a sail, and discovered a wrecked motor boat, +containing an injured lad.</p> + +<p>They saved him, but the lad had passed through such danger that he lost +his memory and did not know who he was. The boys gave themselves up +to solving the mystery of his identity and to learn the secret of the +motor craft.</p> + +<p>How they succeeded, how they were in danger from the man who sought to +injure Paul, which they learned was the name of the mysterious lad, how +they foiled the schemes of the villain and how, after being cast away +on a desolate island they were finally rescued—all this you will find +set down in the first book.</p> + +<p>The Racer boys were so active, and ran into so much danger, though with +the best intentions in the world, that their parents did not know what +to do with them. After a consultation Mr. and Mrs. Racer decided to +send the lads to a boarding school, hoping this would tame their lively +spirits.</p> + +<p>For this purpose Mrs. Racer selected Riverview Hall. She had never +seen the place, but she had heard of Dr. Wesley Doolittle, the head +of the school, who had a fine reputation as a scholar, whatever were +his shortcomings as a financial manager. One of Mrs. Racer's clubwomen +friends had sent her son to the school some years before, when the lad +had decided to enter the ministry, and this lady spoke so highly of the +classical atmosphere at Riverview that Mrs. Racer thought it would be +just the place for Andy and Frank.</p> + +<p>"They will quiet down," she told her husband. "It will be the very +thing for them."</p> + +<p>"It may be <i>too</i> quiet," objected the silk merchant. "You know +boys have to have <i>some</i> fun and—er—excitement."</p> + +<p>"Excitement! I should say they had enough in getting that horrid whale +ashore. But I've no doubt that Andy and Frank will have a good time at +Riverview Hall. They can make amusements for themselves."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess they can," answered Mr. Racer with the trace of a smile.</p> + +<p>So it had come about that, on their return to their New York home, +preparations were made to send our heroes to boarding school. Neither +Mr. nor Mrs. Racer had time to visit the place of learning, the +arrangements being concluded by letters. There was no question about +the reputation of the school as far as learning was concerned. The boys +would also be assured of proper care and good food. That was as far as +the parents went.</p> + +<p>Now we shall see what sort of a place it was to which Frank and Andy +Racer were consigned.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't be much worse; could it?" asked Andy after a pause.</p> + +<p>"It sounds pretty dubious," admitted Frank, with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>They hurried out of the cabin, where they had remained after Miss +Gertrude Morton had left them. They found the steamer approaching a +wharf at a small town. There was no sign of a school.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye!" a voice called to them, and they looked to see the pretty +girl going ashore.</p> + +<p>"This must be Dailsburg—where she lives," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is Dailsburg," spoke a gentleman standing near them. +"Riverview is the next stop."</p> + +<p>They thanked him, and waved to Miss Gertrude. She was the only +passenger to go ashore and the steamer was soon on its way again. The +boys saw nothing of Mr. Callum.</p> + +<p>"We'd better get our baggage together, if the next stop is ours," +suggested Frank to his brother. Then he and Andy became busy. They +were on deck as the boat approached the dock of Riverview, a town of +considerable size. Eagerly they looked about for a sign of the school.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where it can be?" asked Frank. "Gee whizz! I hope it isn't +back in the woods. I was thinking it might be on the river shore, so +we could go boating."</p> + +<p>"Same here," put in Andy. "Let's ask some one."</p> + +<p>From a deckhand they learned that their boarding school was about a +quarter of a mile from the pier where the steamer had stopped.</p> + +<p>"And is it on the river?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, right on the shore," replied the deckhand. "You just keep along +the water road and you'll come to it."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Frank. "Then we can have some rowing races. I hope they +have a good crew at Riverview."</p> + +<p>The deckhand looked at the lads; and a smile came over his tanned +face. He seemed about to say something, but was called away. The boys +quickly made arrangements about having their trunks put off, and then, +each carrying a suit case, they walked down the gangplank. They had a +glimpse of Professor Callum gathering his baggage together ready to go +ashore.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're here," said Frank, as they started off up the river road, +as directed. It ran close to the water's edge, and was a fine highway. +Halcyon river, in fact, was an important stream, and was beautiful, for +it had not been polluted by factory waste or refuse.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're here," admitted Andy, and he seemed down-hearted. "I +wonder what sort of a place it is. Funny there is no carriage to take +us."</p> + +<p>In silence they tramped on. Each step they took nearer to the school +appeared to make them more gloomy, though they could not tell why. The +place seemed very silent and deserted for the vicinity of a boarding +school attended by up-to-date boys. There were no lively groups of +students to be seen, and the river was deserted of rowing craft from +the institution.</p> + +<p>As they made a turn of the road, Riverview Hall came into their line +of vision. The school buildings were situated on a large hill, which +gave a fine view of the water. All about the structures were extensive +grounds, extending down to the edge of the stream.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" exclaimed Frank, coming to a halt.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a big enough place," admitted Andy, "but—"</p> + +<p>He did not finish. He saw, as did his brother, that there was something +the matter. The buildings though substantially built seemed greatly +in need of attention. There was an air about them as if they were +neglected and were destined to go to ruin.</p> + +<p>The campus was littered with paper and the grass had not been cut in +some time. There was an air of desolation about the place. Now that +they were near enough the brothers could make out groups of students +strolling about, but there seemed to be no life in them. They were +not playing ball, running, leaping or doing any of the things dear to +boyish hearts.</p> + +<p>"Say, what's the matter with this place, anyhow?" suddenly asked Andy. +"Is it hoodooed?"</p> + +<p>"Give it up," answered Frank. "Come on, I see a boathouse. Maybe it +isn't so bad after all. We can join the crew."</p> + +<p>Their hearts fell at the sight of the boathouse. The roof needed +shingling, and the structure would have been much improved by a coat of +paint. Then, as they moved around to the other side of it they saw a +big hole in the roof.</p> + +<p>"Say, that will leak like a sieve," remarked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I don't see any boats," added Frank gloomily.</p> + +<p>The two boys strolled down to the water's edge.</p> + +<p>"Here are some barges," called Frank. "But great Scott! Look at 'em! It +would be as much as your life was worth to go out in 'em. They'd sink +in ten minutes. Oh, this is fierce!"</p> + +<p>Despondently, and more and more impressed with the desolation of +the place, the Racer boys walked on toward the main group of school +buildings.</p> + +<p>"There's a fine diamond—if it was put in shape," said Frank, +motioning toward the ball field.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but look at it!" exclaimed his brother. "It's all overgrown with +grass, and you can't tell third base from home plate. It hasn't been +used at all lately. What's the matter with the fellows here, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>Frank shook his head. He did not know what to say.</p> + +<p>There was a murmur of voices on the other side of a neglected hedge, +much in want of trimming, which bordered a walk that led up to the main +building. As Andy and Frank entered the opening in the natural fence +they came face to face with a group of lads, evidently students. Frank +addressed them.</p> + +<p>"Is this Riverview Hall?" he asked, hoping he might be mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Yes—this is the place—what's left of it," replied a tall lad, in the +centre of the group. He spoke listlessly.</p> + +<p>"We're newcomers," added Andy. "We've just come, but—er—that is—"</p> + +<p>He stopped in some confusion.</p> + +<p>"It seems as if there was something the matter with the place," broke +in Frank. "What's the trouble? Has the school been closed suddenly for +some reason?" He almost hoped it had.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, school's going on," replied another lad, indifferently +chewing on a blade of grass. "The term has just opened. But it's this +way always—no fun here. I wish I didn't have to come, but dad thinks +it's all right."</p> + +<p>"Why—what is the matter?" insisted the elder Racer lad.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll find out soon enough, if you stay," was the significant +answer. "Won't he, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" came in a chorus, but even that was given with no enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we've got to stay," said Frank. "Can you tell us where +to find Dr. Doolittle?"</p> + +<p>"Here he comes now," answered one lad, motioning to the somewhat bent +figure of an elderly gentleman approaching. He had one book under his +arm, and was reading another as he walked along. Andy and Frank were +struck by a peculiar pathos about the head of the school. He looked to +be a fine scholar, but there seemed to be something worrying him. They +were sure of this a little later as they approached closer to speak +to him. Dr. Doolittle appeared to be struggling with some difficult, +problem that he had tried in vain to solve for a long time.</p> + +<p>He caught sight of our heroes, and a kindly smile came over his face.</p> + +<p>"We are the Racer boys, Dr. Doolittle," said Frank, "and we—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, glad to see you back," said the doctor kindly. "You did very +well last term. I suppose you are ready to resume your studies and—"</p> + +<p>"We weren't here last term," interrupted Frank. "We have just come, and +we'd like to know where our rooms are."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! To be sure! I remember now. Your father wrote me about you. +Hum! Yes. I hope you will like it here. We think we have a very fine +school."</p> + +<p>"You've got another think coming," whispered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am glad to have met you," went on the principal. "I shall see +you again. Very glad, hum!" He opened his book, and was about to pass +on.</p> + +<p>"But about our rooms," insisted Frank gently. "We don't know where to +go."</p> + +<p>"Why, take the same rooms you had last year," said Dr. Doolittle, in +evident surprise at the question. "Yes, the same rooms. Hum!"</p> + +<p>Once more he was about to turn away.</p> + +<p>"But we weren't here last year!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. You're right. So you weren't. I remember now. I knew there was +something about you that I was trying to recall. Well, just go up to +the main dormitory, and report to the housekeeper, Mrs. Stone. She will +assign you to rooms. I am very glad to have met you. Hum! Yes! I hope +you will like it here. We have a very fine school," and this time the +doctor succeeded in getting away. He was deep in his book once more.</p> + +<p>"I think he must be a bit absent-minded," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"You <i>think</i> it!" exclaimed Andy. "I <i>know</i> it. He's a nice +old man all right, but—a 'fine school'! Wow! This is the limit, and +there may be worse to come. Let's go see Mrs. Stone. I hope she's not +as hard as her name. But I don't know as there's any hurry. There +doesn't appear to be any great rush for the sleeping quarters."</p> + +<p>There were several groups of students in view now, but none of them +seemed to be in any hurry. In fact there was a listlessness about the +whole school that boded no good.</p> + +<p>"Well, come on, anyhow," suggested Frank. "We want to get settled and +then look about. I hope they have plenty for supper. I'm half starved."</p> + +<p>"Same here. Gee! But this is a lonesome place!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe they're not all here yet," put in his brother.</p> + +<p>"Let us hope so. This looks like the main dormitory. Let's go in."</p> + +<p>They found Mrs. Stone a pleasant faced matron, who welcomed them +kindly and made them feel at home.</p> + +<p>"Let me see!" she exclaimed in a thoughtful manner. "I don't know just +where to put you yet. The rooms have not all been assigned. I have +tried to talk to Dr. Doolittle about it, but every time I approach him +he seems to be thinking of something else. But I know what I can do. +I'll give you a temporary room for to-night, and to-morrow we'll settle +the matter. Come this way."</p> + +<p>She led them up a flight of stairs and down a long corridor. Frank and +Andy noted that however neglected the outside of the place was, the +interior was clean and neat, though it was badly in need of repairs. +Evidently Mrs. Stone was an energetic housekeeper, doing the best she +could under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"There, this will have to do for the present," she said, as she threw +open the door of a room. "Perhaps I can find a better apartment for you +to-morrow. Supper is served at six o'clock. The warning bell rings a +quarter of an hour before that. All the boys dine together in the main +hall. You will sit at the freshman table."</p> + +<p>"How will we know which it is?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some of the students will show you. Now I must leave you. I think +you will find all that you need. If not, let me know."</p> + +<p>The boys gazed at each other, and then around the room. It was not a +very inviting place. The wall paper was old and dingy, but it seemed +clean. There were no ornaments in the apartment, and the beds, of which +there were two, were old, as were the washstands and bureaus.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we can stand it, but it's going to be quite a struggle," +said Frank with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Dad and mother never knew what sort of a place this is or they'd never +have sent us here," was Andy's opinion. "It may be all right for Greek, +Latin and mathematics, but a fellow can't live on them. It's going to +be punk here for fun, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>Frank crossed over and looked out of the window. He heard a movement +from his brother.</p> + +<p>"Gee whizz! I've got to do something or bust!" cried the younger lad. +"Here goes for a handspring on the bed! Wow!"</p> + +<p>He gave a little run and a jump. Then he landed in the middle of the +bed on his hands.</p> + +<p>Down into the mattress he sank with his feet wiggling in the air. +Then there came a mighty crash. The bed collapsed under the weight +and sudden impact of the sturdy youth, and a moment later he came to +the floor amid a confusion of pillows, sheets, springs, mattress and +the wrecked bed, while the racket echoed and re-echoed throughout the +corridor of the dormitory.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">"I'LL STICK IT OUT!"</p> + + +<p>"Are you hurt, Andy? How did it happen?" cried Frank, turning from the +window and hurrying to the wreck of the bed, in which his brother was +still entangled.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not hurt; of course not. How could a fellow get hurt falling +in a soft bed?"</p> + +<p>"But what happened?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! How do I know? I just gave a spring on here, and—"</p> + +<p>"Your spring was too much for the bed spring, I suppose," remarked +Frank, laughing when he saw that Andy was all right. "Here, give me +your hand, and I'll pull you out."</p> + +<p>With his brother's help the younger lad was soon on his feet again. +Ruefully he surveyed the tangle of bed and bed clothes.</p> + +<p>"Say, this is like a lot of other things around this school," remarked +Andy. "It's got the dry rot. I never thought a bed wouldn't stand at +least one handspring. Why the side pieces have cracked right in the +middle." He bent over to look at the wrecked bed, which was one of the +old-fashioned, wooden kind.</p> + +<p>"You sure have put it out of commission," said Frank. "And what a +racket you made! They must have heard it out on the campus. It's a +wonder Mrs. Stone hasn't come up to know if we're trying to tear down +the dormitory."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't mean to do it," returned Andy, which was his usual +excuse when any of his jokes or tricks went wrong. "I was just trying +to see—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by hearing some one hurrying along the corridor. +Then came an imperative knock at their door.</p> + +<p>"Who is in there?" demanded a sharp voice.</p> + +<p>"We—we are," answered Andy, while he helped Frank to pick up the +scattered clothes.</p> + +<p>The portal swung open, disclosing to the lads the form and features of +Professor Thorndyke Callum. There was a stern look on his face, and he +fairly glared at them through his big glasses.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" he asked. "I return to my duties at this school, +and I am in my room, getting ready to take charge of my classes when I +am disturbed by a disgraceful noise under me. What does it mean? How +did it happen? Did you come here to repair the beds of the institution?"</p> + +<p>"No sir, we are students here," explained Frank. "We have just +arrived. My brother was trying the bed, and—"</p> + +<p>"It broke!" interrupted Andy with just the trace of a smile on his +mischievous face. "I—I guess I must have come down on it too hard."</p> + +<p>"What! You students here? It's a disgrace!" burst out the professor. "I +shall at once report you to Dr. Doolittle, and he—"</p> + +<p>By this time Mr. Callum had advanced farther into the room. Frank and +Andy had been standing with their backs to the light so that their +faces were in a shadow. Now the professor could see them plainly. He +stopped suddenly on recognizing in them the lads who had interfered +with him on the boat. His face at once became more stern and forbidding.</p> + +<p>"You boys students here?" he exclaimed as if not believing it.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes, sir," answered Andy ruefully.</p> + +<p>"And aren't you the same lads who so unwarrantedly meddled with what +did not concern you between myself and Miss Morton this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we didn't think—" began Frank.</p> + +<p>"Silence! That is enough!" burst out the crabbed man. "You can not turn +Riverview Hall into an institution such as are some of the disgraceful +colleges. Such conduct will not be tolerated here! I repeat, young +men, such conduct will meet with the severest punishment here! I have +no doubt but that some silly prank was responsible for this. I shall +report you to Dr. Doolittle. And so you are students here! Humph! We +shall see!" and with a significant look on his face the unpleasant +professor withdrew.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that isn't the limit!" exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Worse and more of it," agreed Andy. "I wonder where I am going to +sleep to-night?"</p> + +<p>His question was answered a moment later by the entrance of Mrs. Stone, +the housekeeper. She threw up her hands when, on looking in through the +open door, she saw the wrecked bed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've been afraid something like this would happen!" she exclaimed. +"None of the beds are strong enough for two big boys to sit on at once."</p> + +<p>"But we didn't do that," explained Andy. "I—I er—sort of came down +heavy on it, and—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard the crash," said the matron with a smile. "I came as fast +as I could."</p> + +<p>"Professor Callum was just here, and he is going to report us to the +doctor," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't worry," advised the matron. "I will explain matters to +him. I have told him that some of the beds are too old to use, but he +doesn't seem to pay any attention to me. It's like many other things +around here."</p> + +<p>"Say, what <i>is</i> the matter at Riverview, Mrs. Stone?" asked Andy +eagerly. "There's something wrong; isn't there?"</p> + +<p>"Wrong? No, nothing wrong!" replied the housekeeper. "Useless you call +a lack of money wrong. Dr. Doolittle hasn't enough funds back of his +institution, that's all. But please don't ask me any questions. Now +I will have to transfer you to another room, or bring another bed in +here. I guess the first is easier."</p> + +<p>Asking the boys to follow her she led them to another apartment farther +down the corridor. Andy was glad she did not ask for particulars about +how he came to "come down sort of heavy" on the bed.</p> + +<p>"There, I think these beds are better," she said, as she left them. +Andy approached one.</p> + +<p>"Here, what are you going to do?" asked Frank quickly. "No more +monkey-shine business."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't going to," answered Andy indignantly. "I just wanted to lay +my finger on one and see if it would stand up."</p> + +<p>"Which—the bed or your finger?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Both. Yes, it's all right," spoke the younger lad as he gently, and +with an exercise of studious and elaborate care, pressed on the middle +of the bed. "I think we can sleep in it. Let's get out some of our +older togs and go outside to see what some of the fellows look like. +I'm afraid we're not going to like this place."</p> + +<p>They donned garments in which they felt more at home, and soon were +strolling over the overgrown neglected campus. They met a number +of lads and soon struck up an acquaintance with them. To one in +particular, Jack Sanderson, they took quite a notion. He was an +athletic looking lad, and they learned that he was as fond of water +sports as they were.</p> + +<p>"You say you've been here two years," remarked Frank to Jack, after a +while, during which they had been strolling about, "then what ails this +place, anyhow? Why isn't the baseball diamond and the football gridiron +kept in better shape? What's the matter with the boathouse? Why isn't +the campus kept better?"</p> + +<p>"That's a heap of questions," said Jack. "I guess Flopps, the gardener, +is so busy that he hasn't had time to cut the grass, but, as for the +others, there are two reasons. One is that the fellows don't seem to +take any interest in sports, and the other is that Dr. Doolittle has +about all he can do to make both of his money ends meet. He hasn't any +to spare on diamonds or gridirons. That's why."</p> + +<p>"But why don't the fellows get together and do something?" Andy wanted +to know.</p> + +<p>"It wants someone to wake them up," Jack said. "I tried it, but I +couldn't do anything. The football team fizzled out, and so did the +baseball nine. Oh, this is a tough place! I wish dad would let me go +to a live college. But it seems he knew Dr. Doolittle years ago, and +he thinks he's a great scholar. And so he is!" went on Jack eagerly. +"There isn't a better teacher anywhere than he, but some of the other +teachers are fierce!"</p> + +<p>"How about Professor Callum?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"What! Old Thorny? He's the limit. Don't get in his bad books if you +can help it."</p> + +<p>"I guess we're there already," said Andy softly.</p> + +<p>"Come on over this way," said Jack suddenly, as he linked his arms +in those of the Racer boys. They noted that two other lads were +approaching.</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the matter?" asked Andy. "Don't you want to meet those +fellows?" for Jack had turned aside.</p> + +<p>"No," answered their new chum.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Frank wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that tall one is Gerald Welter, and he thinks he's the cock of the +walk. He's a sort of leader among a certain crowd here, and he's always +trying to pick a quarrel. I always keep out of his way."</p> + +<p>"Who's with him?" inquired Andy.</p> + +<p>"That's Luke Moss, his particular crony, and Luke is about as bad as +Gerald. They'll get in a fight with you if they can. They always do +with new fellows."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know as I'd mind much," replied Frank, looking +critically at Gerald as the latter swaggered past.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you don't want to do that!" exclaimed Jack in some alarm. "He's a +hard hitter and a great scrapper."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm something of a hard hitter myself," calmly said Frank. "I'm +not looking for a fight, but I'm not going to run away from any fellow +here. If I've got to fight I'll do it."</p> + +<p>"And so will I!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>The boys walked on a little farther until the sound of a bell was borne +to them across the campus.</p> + +<p>"Supper!" cried Jack. "Come on, Frank and Andy. You'll have to sit at +the freshman table, but that's close to mine. I'll show you the way."</p> + +<p>The food was fairly good, though as Frank and Andy said afterward, +there might have been more of it. Following the meal they joined Jack, +who introduced them to Ward Platt, his chum, who seemed a nice sort of +chap.</p> + +<p>"We'll stroll about a bit," said Jack, "and then I have to go in and do +some studying. Where are you fellows sleeping?"</p> + +<p>Andy named their room number.</p> + +<p>"That's just around the corner of the corridor from mine," spoke Jack. +"I'll try to sneak in and see you after I get through boning away. So +long."</p> + +<p>Neither Frank nor Andy thought it wise to speak about the broken bed +yet. They wanted to await developments. As they started for their room +they were met at the entrance of the dormitory by Professor Callum.</p> + +<p>"Humph! So you are quartered here!" he exclaimed, eyeing them with no +friendly glance. "Well, I want to warn you that I will tolerate no +nonsense in this building. I am in charge. No nonsense, mind! I am now +going to report you to Dr. Doolittle."</p> + +<p>Frank and Andy walked on in silence for a moment.</p> + +<p>"I guess he's going to make trouble for us, if he can," observed the +older lad at length.</p> + +<p>"It seems so," agreed Andy. His voice was despondent. They reached +their room and lighted the gas. It burned dimly for the tips were +old fashioned. "Say, this is the limit!" exclaimed the younger lad. +"We can't see to read by that. And look at this room! It gives me +the creeps. Say, Frank, this is the extreme edge. A punk school, no +athletics, a dub crowd of fellows, except maybe one or two and a +professor down on you from the start! I'll tell you what we'll do! +Let's go back home! I can't stand this!"</p> + +<p>Frank was silent for a moment. He gazed about the dismal room, and out +over the dark and deserted campus. He looked in the direction of the +neglected baseball field. Then he walked over and put his arm around +his brother's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Andy," he said, "this <i>is</i> a pretty tough place, I'll admit. It +doesn't seem as if we could stand it, but I believe there is good stuff +in Riverview. Some of the fellows have the making of good football or +baseball players in them, to say nothing of a rowing crew. I've been +sizing them up.</p> + +<p>"It's true there must be something wrong with Dr. Doolittle's +management, but probably he's doing the best he can. I don't like to +desert in the face of trouble, and I'll tell you what I'm going to do."</p> + +<p>"What, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to stick it out right here, and see what I can do. Are you +with me? Will you stick?"</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I will!" cried the younger brother, and their hands met in a +firm clasp. Though Riverview Hall did not know it, the dawn of a better +day was breaking with the advent of the Racer boys.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">ALMOST CAUGHT</p> + + +<p>Frank and Andy were preparing for bed. It was a bit early, but they +were tired with their day's travel. There was no necessity for study, +and, as the younger lad had said, it would be hard to read by the poor +gas light. So there was nothing to do but to turn in.</p> + +<p>"But I know what I'm going to do, if the room we are assigned to +permanently has such poor light as this," said Frank as he took off his +coat.</p> + +<p>"What?" inquired Andy, pausing in the midst of the same operation.</p> + +<p>"Get some new gas tips that will give some illumination. That's all it +needs. The pipes are big enough, all it needs is new tips. I should +think Dr. Doolittle would think of that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's probably thinking of a Greek root or how to translate some +Hindoo phrase into modern Dutch."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but say, don't you wish you were back at Harbor View?" asked +Andy. "Think of the good times we had! Of the jokes I played on Chet +Sedley! Of how we went after the whale, yes, and even being shut up +in the cave, with the rising tide, by that Shallock fellow wasn't so +bad—after we got out. Say, don't you wish you were back there, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't. This place is pretty tough, but I'm going to make myself +like it, and stick."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess you won't have to try to like it very hard."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" and the older lad gazed at his brother in some +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come off now! Don't pretend ignorance. I know why you want to stay +all right!"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because that girl—the one we met on the boat, Gertrude Morton—lives +near here. You're thinking you'll meet her again. I saw you giving +her the friendly look as she got off the boat. That's why you want to +linger here, even if the school is punk."</p> + +<p>Frank did not answer. He made a jump for the bed, grabbed up a pillow +and let it fly at his brother with such good aim that it struck Andy +full in the face, and smothered the good-natured "joshing" he was +keeping up against Frank.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried the older lad gaily. "If you want another just say so!"</p> + +<p>"Two can play at this game!" exclaimed Andy with a laugh, as he sent +back the pillow with certain aim. "How's that? A strike all right, I +guess."</p> + +<p>"And here's another!" exclaimed Frank, as a second pillow went hurtling +across the room.</p> + +<p>The harmless fight was on in earnest now and the pillows went back and +forth fast and furiously. There were only four of the soft headrests, +but the brothers kept them constantly in use and the air seemed full of +the white things as they were exchanged.</p> + +<p>The brothers circled about the room, seeking for an advantage. Once +Frank ducked and the pillow Andy had thrown went sailing over his head, +striking a window, the shade of which was drawn down. In an instant the +shade went whizzing to the top of the roller.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Nothing the matter with the spring in that curtain!" exclaimed +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Pull it down! Quick!" called Andy, ceasing hostilities for a moment. +"Old Thorny Callum, or some of the other profs may spot us from outside +and make a row. Pull it down."</p> + +<p>Frank obliged and the battle was renewed. It went on for several +seconds, when Frank made a miscalculation and his pillow went into the +gas jet.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the cloth did not take fire, but the gas was blown out and +the room was plunged in sudden darkness.</p> + +<p>"Hurry up! Shut off the gas or we'll fill the place with it!" cried +Frank.</p> + +<p>"I'll light it," said Andy, fumbling about in the darkness for a match.</p> + +<p>"No, shut it off first. There may be an explosion."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Andy stumbled about in the blackness, barking his shins on a +chair and stubbing his toe over a big dictionary that had fallen from +the table. But finally the gas was turned off.</p> + +<p>Frank then opened a window and let out the choking fumes, for, by +reason of Andy's delay, considerable of the vapor had escaped. They +lighted the jet a few minutes later.</p> + +<p>Andy was about to resume the pillow fight, for he was a fun-loving lad +and seldom wanted to stop any sport once it was started. He was just +about to launch one of the soft missiles at his brother when there came +a sharp but gentle tap on the door.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"It's me—Jack Sanderson," was the whispered reply. "What in the name +of the Seven Sacred Snakes are you fellows up to? Old Callum is on the +warpath. He's sneaking down from his room to catch you. Hop into bed, +even if you aren't undressed. I just slipped down the back way to warn +you. Cheese it, here he comes! I'll see you later."</p> + +<p>The brothers heard the rapid retreat of shoeless feet.</p> + +<p>"Gee horse!" exclaimed Andy. "He sure has it in for us. If he catches +us—"</p> + +<p>"Don't let him!" exclaimed Frank in a whisper. "Slip your night shirt +on over your clothes and hop in bed. I'll douse the glim."</p> + +<p>No sooner had this been done, and the brothers had only time to +pull the bed clothes up over themselves when there came a loud and +imperative summons on their door.</p> + +<p>A hearty snore issued from Frank. It was a good imitation. Once more +the knock, followed by another snore.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead! Help me out!" whispered the older lad to his brother. "Can't +you snore too?"</p> + +<p>Andy did so. The knock was repeated for the third time and a gruff +voice followed, saying:</p> + +<p>"Come! Come, young gentlemen. I know you are not asleep. You are up to +some mischief, I'm sure. I demand to be admitted at once!"</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" asked Frank, simulating a sleepy yawn. "Is any one +knocking?"</p> + +<p>"Is anyone knocking? I should say there was!" came the rasping voice of +Professor Callum. "Let me in instantly. Such conduct is disgraceful. +Let me in."</p> + +<p>"Come in," called Andy, also yawning. "The door is not locked. But who +is it?"</p> + +<p>"It is I—Professor Callum," was the reply as the door opened. There +was a gasp of surprise from the crabbed instructor as he encountered +intense darkness. He had expected to catch the boys with the gas +lighted.</p> + +<p>He struck a match, and saw two apparently innocent faces gazing at him +in mild wonder from the beds. The professor's jaw dropped in chagrin.</p> + +<p>"Why—er—that is—I heard noises coming from this room," he said +severely. "It is against the rules. But you—you are in bed."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Professor," spoke Frank calmly. "We retired early as we were +weary. Ahem!"</p> + +<p>"But I am sure I heard some noise. What was it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I snore rather loudly when I sleep," said Frank innocently, +"and my brother is also addicted to that habit, are you not, Andy?" He +gazed innocently at his brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sorry to say that I am," spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"Ouch! My!" suddenly exclaimed the professor. The room was plunged in +darkness again, for the match had burned the teacher's fingers and he +had dropped it.</p> + +<p>"Did you say anything, Professor?" asked Frank gently.</p> + +<p>Andy had to stuff the end of the sheet in his mouth to prevent his +laughter from being heard.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard you say something," went on Frank.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Let there be no more of this levity!" snarled Mr. Callum. He +turned and hastily left the room, not taking the trouble to light +any more matches to investigate further. The brothers could hear him +tramping down the corridor.</p> + +<p>"Get up and shut the door, then light the gas again," said Frank. "But +turn it low, Andy."</p> + +<p>His brother obeyed. Then both began to pick up the pillows which were +still scattered about the room. Fortunately in the flickering light +of his match Professor Callum had not observed them, or the snores of +Frank and his brother would not have availed them. As it was they had +had a narrow escape.</p> + +<p>"Want to have another go at it?" asked Andy, as he began to undress in +earnest now.</p> + +<p>"No, I guess we've had enough for one night. I say though—"</p> + +<p>Frank paused with the sentence unfinished for there came another knock +at the door. The two brothers looked at each other with startled faces. +Who could it be this time?</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">A BULLY DEFIED</p> + + +<p>"Why don't you answer the knock, Andy?" whispered Frank, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go yourself? I'm going to hop into bed again. You douse +the glim. You're nearer to it than I am."</p> + +<p>Andy crossed the room on tiptoe, and Frank was just reaching up to the +gas. They both thought Professor Callum had returned, thinking to catch +them. Such things had been known to happen among students.</p> + +<p>The knock was repeated, but this time it was given in a peculiar +manner. There were two light taps, a pause, then a heavy tap, then +three light ones.</p> + +<p>"That's no professor rapping," whispered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Just what I was thinking," responded Frank. "I guess it's safe to open +the door." He swung the portal wide, not taking the trouble to turn +down the gas, and saw the smiling face of Jack Sanderson.</p> + +<p>"I thought you fellows were never going to open up," complained the +newcomer as he quickly slid in, and shut the door after him. "Did he +come? Did he catch you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—and no," replied Frank. "Thanks to your tip we were in bed when +Thorny paid his little visit. He burned his fingers with a match and +went out in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"Burned his fingers? Say, that's a good one all right! It's the first +time anybody's put anything over on him in a long while. Say, you +fellows are all to the rice pudding."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we didn't do it," explained Andy modestly. "He was so interested +in hearing us snore that he forget he held the fire-stick."</p> + +<p>"Snored did you?" gasped Jack in delight. "Better and better! Say, I'm +glad you chaps came to Riverview. We need some one like you to wake up +this ancient place."</p> + +<p>"Is it safe to talk here?" asked Frank, for there were several things +he wanted to know from some student who had been at the school long +enough to be an authority.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I don't believe Thorny will come back," was Jack's opinion. +"His room is near mine, and I waited until he went in before I came out +again. I wondered what he was muttering about, but it must have been +his burned fingers. Crackey! That was great, and he did it himself! He +can't blame anyone. Yes, fire away. I can stay a little while longer, +then I've got to get back to my den and bone on Latin. Beastly stuff, +isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's not so bad," said Frank, who really liked studying. "But what +I wanted to ask you was what ails this place, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>Jack looked about the room before replying.</p> + +<p>"Guess we forgot our manners," said Andy. "Have a chair. Frank and I +will take the beds. Now fire away. We've never been to such a queer +school as this, and we can't understand it."</p> + +<p>"It's simple enough," explained Jack. "In the first place this is quite +an old institution. I mean it was founded a long time ago, but of +course most of the buildings are comparatively new—they don't look it +but they are. Dr. Doolittle is a fine scholar, too. Probably more of a +scholar than he is a business man, and the same thing can be said of +the board of trustees. Some of them are old fogies, but I don't mean +any disrespect. They simply don't know how to run things.</p> + +<p>"The school used to be better than it is now. Then a lot of rich men's +sons came here, and they had a fine rowing crew, a good eleven and a +crackerjack nine. That's what I've been told, for of course it was +before my time. This is my second year."</p> + +<p>"How did you ever happen to come back?" asked Frank, "after you saw +what it was?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to, but dad figured out that as long as I was doing well +in my studies it didn't make any difference whether I rowed on a crew +or not."</p> + +<p>"Do you row?" asked Andy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"A little," admitted their visitor modestly.</p> + +<p>"That's what we like," explained Frank. "We hoped we'd get a whack at +it here, but—nixy I guess."</p> + +<p>"We saw a dandy shell as we were coming up," went on the younger lad. +"It was at some college below here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was at Waterside Hall. They have a fine crew—in fact they +have good teams in all lines. They used to be a rival of Riverview, but +that was years ago. They don't even take the trouble to challenge us +now."</p> + +<p>"That's pretty tough," said Frank softly.</p> + +<p>"It sure is," admitted Jack. "Things have been going from bad to worse. +The nine and eleven didn't get any support from the school heads, and +gradually interest in them died out. Then the crew melted away, and we +had a good one, too, with a dandy shell—a four-oared one.</p> + +<p>"Money matters grew worse," went on Jack. "Dr. Doolittle was just able +to make things go and that's about all. Gradually a lot of fellows +came who didn't care anything about sport. Maybe they would have if +there'd been any to care about, but there wasn't. You can see for +yourself how things are. The diamond hasn't been used this year. We +tried to get up a football eleven a few weeks ago, but after a little +practice we had to drop it."</p> + +<p>"Why?" Andy wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, some of the fellows were sissies and found fault because they +barked their shins. Then, too, old Thorny put his foot down because +some of us missed class one day after a stiff bit of practice. Dr. +Doolittle goes a good bit by what Thorny says, and he gave us a +lecture. The next day three fellows showed up for practice and—the +eleven was dead.</p> + +<p>"That's how things have gone. It's punk, I admit, for there is a chance +of making this a good school, and one that would have a standing in +athletics. But the doctor needs cash to make it go. I understand he's +thinking of selling a half interest to some man who has a pile of +money. The man is coming in a little while to look the ground over. But +if he'll take my advice he'll invest his cash in a wild-cat gold mine. +He'd stand a better chance with it than at Riverview. It's a shame that +such a thing is true—but it is."</p> + +<p>"Can't anything be done?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Hanged if I know," replied Jack. "The fellows don't seem to care to +start anything. I guess we'll just have to let things slide. I'm glad +to know you chaps, anyhow. Come and see me sometime. There are a few +of us who sort of hang together. Ward Platt rooms with me. He's a fine +all-'round athlete, and he's sore that there isn't something going on +here.</p> + +<p>"He sure was broken hearted after he got here. He wanted to quit the +worst way, and go to Waterside Hall. But his guardian—both his parents +are dead you know—his guardian put his foot down. It seems that he is +a friend of Dr. Doolittle's, and has a great respect for the doctor's +learning. He's right, there, too, but a fellow has to have some fun."</p> + +<p>"Sure thing," agreed Frank.</p> + +<p>"And so it goes," concluded Jack. "There, I've told you all I know, and +I've stayed longer than I ought to, but when I get to talking it's hard +to stop. Now I'm going to cut."</p> + +<p>"Maybe that money man will take an interest after all," suggested Andy;</p> + +<p>"I doubt it;" and with that Jack was gone.</p> + +<p>The brothers talked over his visit as they finished getting ready for +bed. Frank was awake for some time after turning in. He was thinking +of the conditions at Riverview and wondering what he and Andy could do +to better them. It seemed a hopeless task. Frank dreamed that he had +organized a crew and was rowing in a hotly contested race when he fell +overboard. He could feel the cold water on his feet, and then a voice +cried:</p> + +<p>"Say, are you going to sleep all day? The rising bell has given its +morning tinkle!"</p> + +<p>Frank opened his eyes to see his brother standing at the foot of the +bed with a suspended water pitcher. Frank still felt the dampness on +his feet.</p> + +<p>"What the mischief are you doing, Andy?" he demanded, drawing his pedal +extremities under the covers.</p> + +<p>"This is my new alarm clock," explained the younger lad. "I wanted to +awaken you, but I desired to do it in a gentle manner, so I poured +water on your tootsie-wootsies. Why do you sleep with your feet +sticking out, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's some more of your jokes!" complained Frank. "But is it +really morning?"</p> + +<p>"If it isn't, it's a good imitation of it, and my stomach has its usual +hungry feeling for breakfast. Come on—move lively, as the street car +conductors say."</p> + +<p>There was a goodly attendance at chapel, whither the boys went after +the morning meal. Dr. Doolittle proved to be an interesting talker.</p> + +<p>"I am pleased to welcome so many students at the start of the fall +term," said the good doctor, after the devotional exercises. "I also +understand that there are a number of newcomers. I hope and trust that +you boys who have been here for some time will welcome them, and make +them feel at home.</p> + +<p>"The lessons will begin as usual to-day, for most of the new classes +are now formed. I presume matters will go on as usual, and that you +boys will have your sports. I wish to add a word of caution. Do not +devote too much time to them, to the exclusion of your studies."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that," murmured Jack Sanderson, who sat near Frank and +Andy.</p> + +<p>"I may have some important news for you in a few days," went on the +doctor. "I apprehend—er—that is, I hope—that extensive improvements +may soon be made at Riverview Hall. We are planning—er—well, I +think I will say no more at present. I think you will see that +the experiment—Oh, I am not in the physics class, am I?" and the +principal, whose absent-mindedness had led him into confusion, stopped +short and dismissed the students.</p> + +<p>"I guess he's referring to that man with money that I was speaking of," +said Jack, as he filed out with the Racer boys. "Well, I hope he makes +good, that's all. I'm aching for a good row."</p> + +<p>"So am I!" exclaimed Frank. "Isn't there some kind of a boat on the +river that we can hire?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. We'll see after school. I'm off to that punky Latin +class now. So-long."</p> + +<p>The students dispersed to their various classes. Andy and Frank noted +that there was little enthusiasm. There was none of the cheerful spirit +usually manifested at schools or colleges. None of the "horse-play" in +which an extra head of "steam" is safely let off. True, some of the +boys ran about and pulled or hauled their companions, but this was soon +over and they went in comparative silence to their recitations.</p> + +<p>"Whew! This is like a funeral!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>"It sure is," agreed Frank.</p> + +<p>The Racer boys did not find their first day of study hard. They were, +in fact, a little ahead of their class and were complimented by +Professor Dickson in mathematics. But it was a different story in the +Latin recitation, over which "Old Thorny," as he was called, presided.</p> + +<p>Frank failed in giving some case endings, and Professor Callum, looking +up from his book, exclaimed with a sour smile:</p> + +<p>"I see you are not well prepared, Racer. You remain after class and +write me fifty lines of Latin prose."</p> + +<p>It was a stiff dose, but Frank never flinched. He realized that this +was the first clash with the vindictive teacher, and part of his +revenge for the interference in the episode on the boat.</p> + +<p>"All right, I can stand it if he can," thought Frank. "And I'd do the +same thing over again if Miss Gertrude was in trouble."</p> + +<p>Somehow the thought of the pretty girl seemed to make his task less +hard.</p> + +<p>Nor did Andy come out scathless for he slipped up on a comparatively +simple question in Latin conjugation, one that he knew perfectly well. +But perhaps he was nervous over his brother's fate.</p> + +<p>"Ah, another Racer fallen," said the professor with an attempt at a +joke. "Fifty lines. Next!"</p> + +<p>Frank and Andy finished their tasks about the same time. They found +Jack waiting for them outside the recitation hall.</p> + +<p>"Are you through?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes—done for to-day, and done brown," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"So am I. I heard about you. Thorny can be mean when he wants to. But +come on. We'll go down to the river. I'm glad I've found somebody who +likes the water. Here comes Ward. Maybe we can find a boat."</p> + +<p>The four lads were strolling along toward the stream, when Jack, +looking up, saw approaching Gerald Welter and Luke Moss, his crony.</p> + +<p>"Let's go the other way," proposed Jack. "No use meeting those two +fellows. They may say something and we'll get in a row."</p> + +<p>"What of it?" asked Frank, who didn't like the idea of running away.</p> + +<p>"He may want to fight," said Ward.</p> + +<p>"Let him," said Frank. "I'm not going around the other way on his +account. Come on. We've as good a right to go this path as he has."</p> + +<p>"All right," assented Jack, with a shrug of his shoulders. "But don't +say we didn't warn you."</p> + +<p>As the bully and his crony came opposite the four lads, Jack and Ward +touched their hats in a form of salute. Frank and Andy did not. At once +Gerald came to a halt and there was an ugly look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Say, Freshies!" he exclaimed, looking at Frank and Andy, "Don't you +know enough to tip your hats to your superiors."</p> + +<p>"I do when I see them," spoke Frank quietly.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Luke. "Did you hear that, Gerald?"</p> + +<p>"I sure did, and I'll make him pay for it. Look here, you two Fresh—"</p> + +<p>"They've just come," broke in Jack. "They didn't know it was the custom +to tip to the juniors."</p> + +<p>"That's their lookout," sneered Gerald. "You can tip twice now, to make +up for it."</p> + +<p>He paused and glared threateningly at Frank and Andy. Neither of them +made a motion toward his cap.</p> + +<p>"Well?" fairly shouted the bully.</p> + +<p>"If you're through speaking we'll go on," and Frank took a step forward.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't! Not until you tip to us!" exclaimed Gerald.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to stay here a long time," said Frank with a smile, +"for we're not going to tip. This isn't a college. If it was we'd +conform to the custom. As it stands, we're not going to. Are we, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Not on your life!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are!" fairly snarled the bully. "I'll make you!"</p> + +<p>He made a grab for Frank's cap. Our hero stepped back, not wishing to +come to a clash if he could avoid it. But the temper of Gerald was +aroused. He leaped forward and made another grab. Frank shoved his arm +to one side.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho! You want to fight, do you?" sneered the bully. "I can give you +all you want of that!" He drew back his fist, but he was not prepared +for what followed, for with a quick left-hander Frank reached his chin +and Gerald Welter went over backward, falling on the soft grass with a +thud.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">MISS MORTON'S TROUBLES</p> + + +<p>"Whew! Now you have done it!" gasped Jack, as he saw the bully go to +earth.</p> + +<p>"I guess Frank can take care of himself," said Andy calmly.</p> + +<p>Ward Platt looked as if he wanted to take a hand in the hostilities +himself, now that someone had started them. His eyes were bright with +anticipation, and he clenched his fists as if ready for the fray.</p> + +<p>Luke Moss looked horrified that his crony should thus be treated. He +sprang toward the fallen bully.</p> + +<p>"Let me alone!" snarled Gerald. "I'm all right. I'll make him pay for +this."</p> + +<p>He managed to get to his feet, though he staggered a bit, for Frank's +blow had not been a light one.</p> + +<p>"You—you dared to hit me—me!" gasped Gerald as he advanced toward our +hero.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I had to, but it was hit or be hit," said Frank calmly. +"You spoke of fighting, you know."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll give you all you want!" fairly yelled the bully. "I'll +show you who's boss here!"</p> + +<p>He sprang toward Frank, but the latter never moved. He shifted his +weight to the other foot and calmly awaited the onslaught.</p> + +<p>Gerald had almost reached him, and there was every prospect of a fight, +when Luke, who had been hanging in the background, being too great a +coward to risk hostilities with any of Frank's companions, suddenly +uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"Cheese it! Here comes Thorny!" he exclaimed. "He'll have us all up on +the platform if he thinks we're fighting."</p> + +<p>"Cut for it!" gasped Jack.</p> + +<p>"I'll stick it out," declared Frank.</p> + +<p>But the others did not think it wise. Even the vindictiveness of Gerald +seemed to ooze away. He glared at Frank, but his hands dropped to his +side.</p> + +<p>"Come on," called Luke. "He doesn't suspect anything yet"</p> + +<p>"All right, but I'm not done with you, Fresh!" called the bully to +Frank. "I'll make you wish you'd never come to Riverview."</p> + +<p>"I'll meet you any time you say," replied Frank calmly. "And I'll be +delighted to give you satisfaction. I'm not going to tip my cap, +either, and I'd advise the others to cut out that silly custom."</p> + +<p>"You'll tip it all right when I'm through with you," snarled the bully.</p> + +<p>Then he and his crony turned aside while our four friends continued on +their way to the river. Professor Thorndyke Callum passed them with +a frigid nod, and the boys congratulated themselves that he had been +sighted in time, for he had a particular horror of fighting and meted +out severe punishment to those whom he caught.</p> + +<p>"Say, this is the best thing I've seen since I came here," said Ward +admiringly to Frank. "Gee! but you sent him down all right. Where did +you get that punch?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I took boxing lessons," said Frank modestly. "But it's time that +fellow was taken down a peg. How did you fellows let him get such a +hold over you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he was here when we came," explained Jack, "and he beat up all the +fellows who wouldn't do as he wanted them to. He never met any one who +could trim him I guess."</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I can trim him," said Frank, "but I'll try, if I get +a chance. I'm not going to tip my cap to him, or to any of the juniors."</p> + +<p>"There'll be a row," predicted Ward.</p> + +<p>"Let it come," said Andy easily. "We like trouble; eh, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, if it comes our way we're not going to dodge it. But how does it +come that such a 'sport,' as I have no doubt this Welter thinks himself +to be, attends here at such a run-down school as Riverview?"</p> + +<p>"He was expelled from Waterside," explained Jack, "and he came here. +He's an example of a big fish in a little puddle. He has plenty of +money and he lords it over most of the fellows. I guess that's why he +stays on. He likes the power he has."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's not going to boss me, even if he is a junior," declared the +elder Racer lad. "I'm willing to conform to the usual unwritten rules +of a school, but not for such fellows as Welter. Now come on, and we'll +see if we can't find something to row."</p> + +<p>But Frank was not destined to get on the water that day. As he and his +companions were nearing the stream Andy uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Look who's here!" he said to his brother. Glancing to where he pointed +Frank saw approaching two girls. One was a stranger to him but he +quickly recognized the other as Miss Gertrude Morton.</p> + +<p>"Do you know 'em?" asked Jack quickly.</p> + +<p>"One," answered Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh ho! Then don't let us butt in on a date with the fair damsels," +said Ward quickly. "Come on, fellows, Frank has his hands full."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the sort!" objected Frank quickly. "I didn't expect to meet +them. Here, don't go away."</p> + +<p>But the other three had turned down a side road, looking back with +mocking grins on their faces.</p> + +<p>"Hang it all!" exclaimed Frank. "Leaving me in the lurch this way. Andy +at least might have stayed. Well, I'm not going to run." Frank was not +a coward in more meanings than one.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. Racer?" asked Miss Morton, as she approached. "I +didn't expect to meet you here. This is my friend, Miss Grace Knox. +Grace, this is the gentleman I was telling you about—he met me on the +steamer."</p> + +<p>"I trust you have not had any more trouble with Mr. Callum," Frank said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I haven't even seen him," said Gertrude. "Oh, but he +frightened me so!"</p> + +<p>"It must have been terrible," commented Miss Knox.</p> + +<p>"I've told Grace all about it," Gertrude went on. "She and I are great +chums. We go to the same school. It's not far from Riverview Hall, and +sometimes we walk home this way."</p> + +<p>"I—I hope you do it often," said Frank gallantly.</p> + +<p>The girls laughed but they were not ill-pleased.</p> + +<p>"How do you like it here?" asked Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's too early to say yet," replied the lad. "My brother and I +hope to have some fun. But I would be very glad if I could do anything +to help you, Miss Gertrude. Is the trouble with Professor Callum a +serious one?"</p> + +<p>"Most money troubles are serious," said the girl with a sigh. "It's no +secret. My mother is a widow, and when poor papa died several years ago +he left her some stock or bond shares, in some concern. I don't know +just what they were.</p> + +<p>"When it came time for me to leave high school and go to Fuller Academy +where Grace and I attend, mother needed some extra money. She went to +a lawyer who said she could raise money on the stocks or bonds. As it +happened Mr. Callum had some to lend and we borrowed it, on a note +thinking we could sell the bonds when we had to pay it.</p> + +<p>"Everything seemed to be all right, but recently Mr. Callum wanted his +money back. Mother and I thought it would be easy enough to take the +bonds to some bank, raise the money and pay off the professor. But we +found we couldn't."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Because it seems that the bonds were worthless. No one would take +them, and so we couldn't raise the money to pay back Mr. Callum. He was +very angry and though we did our best we have not been able to sell +the bonds. So he hasn't been paid. That was what he was speaking to me +about on the boat. Oh, if he had taken hold of me I should have fainted +I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"He's a brute!" exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Poor Gertrude," whispered Grace, putting her arm around her chum.</p> + +<p>"And so that is the story of our trouble," went on the girl. "Poor +mother is much worried and doesn't know what to do. Mr. Callum +threatens to bring suit and take our little home away from us. We have +tried everything but nothing seems to be of any use."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could help you!" said Frank eagerly. "My father is in +business in New York, and perhaps he could give your mother some advice +about the bonds. I wish you'd let me ask him."</p> + +<p>"I'll speak to mamma about it," said Gertrude. "But we must hurry on, +Grace. I have a lot of lessons to study."</p> + +<p>"Do you walk this way every day after school?" asked Frank boldly.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes—that is <i>nearly</i> every day," answered Gertrude, with a +blush.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to write to my father," said Frank eagerly. "If you will +get me the name of the company who issued the bonds I may be able to +help you. Perhaps I shall see you here to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," admitted the girl shyly, and then she and her chum turned +away.</p> + +<p>Frank stood for a moment, in a sort of daydream. It was rudely +interrupted by a chorus of excited shouts on the river, followed by +others close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Ha! What's that?" exclaimed Frank. He broke into a run, and, turning +down a path was met by his brother and the two chums.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"The Waterside Hall rowing shell just passed here and it upset!" +exclaimed Jack. "It hit an old skiff that was moored at our boathouse, +but it must have got adrift. Come down this way and you can see 'em +better. They're all in the water, but they can swim like fishes, so +there's no danger."</p> + +<p>"Gee! But they went over suddenly!" said Andy. "All in the water at +once. There they are!"</p> + +<p>Frank peered through a fringe of bushes and saw nine forms struggling +in the river about a long, slender racing shell. As he looked one of +the rowers threw up his hands, uttered a cry, and sank from sight.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">TO THE RESCUE</p> + + +<p>"Look! Look!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"He's drowning!" yelled another of the excited lads on the bank.</p> + +<p>"Must have been taken with a cramp!" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>"And the others are either too much occupied in saving themselves, or +they don't know he's gone down!" added Frank. While he was speaking he +was rapidly divesting himself of his shoes and his heavier articles of +clothing.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"To save him of course!"</p> + +<p>Frank plunged into the river and with long, even strokes headed for +the spot where the unfortunate oarsman had gone down. By this time the +others had succeeded in getting a hold on the overturned shell.</p> + +<p>A moment later they seemed aware that one of their number was missing, +and after some excited shouts and calls the lad nearest the bow of the +shell let go and dived, evidently with the intention of bringing up his +comrade.</p> + +<p>"He's too far to the left," commented Andy in a low voice. "Frank +stands a better chance of getting him."</p> + +<p>"I wonder why some of the others don't go after him?" remarked Jack. +"What's the matter with them?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe they're afraid of getting cramps, too," suggested Ward. "They +might take a chance, though."</p> + +<p>"There the fellow comes up who dived down," exclaimed Andy. "He +couldn't locate him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and there's the fellow who had a cramp!" cried Ward, pointing +some distance away from the slowly drifting shell. A body shot into +view. A hand and arm were raised in a mute appeal for help, and then +the lad went down for the second time. But the current of the river was +carrying him toward Frank, who was swimming strongly.</p> + +<p>The elder Racer lad had seen the boy rise, and changed his course +accordingly. A little later, he, too, disappeared from sight.</p> + +<p>"Frank's gone!" gasped Jack.</p> + +<p>"Not him," said Andy confidently. "Frank can swim like a fish on top or +under the water. Once he stayed under two full minutes. He's probably +taken a deep dive. Watch and you'll see him come up!"</p> + +<p>Eagerly the lads on the shore watched. It seemed like many minutes but +in reality it was only a few seconds before Frank reappeared.</p> + +<p>"He hasn't got him!" cried Ward.</p> + +<p>"Then he'll go down again," said Andy grimly, and Frank did. Meanwhile +the lads on the shell were helplessly clinging there. They saw Frank's +brave efforts and realized that he was more expert than any of them.</p> + +<p>"There he comes!" was the excited cry raised in a chorus by the three +on the bank as Frank shot up from the water and encircled in one arm was +the helpless and limp form of the half-drowned lad. There came a faint +cheer from those on the shell, toward which Frank struck out.</p> + +<p>"It won't do him any good when he does get there," said Andy excitedly. +"They can't right it and put that chap aboard. We ought to go out in a +boat. Isn't there any at the boathouse, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"A couple of old ones I guess," answered Jack. "Come on, let's look."</p> + +<p>They were not far from the ruin that passed for a boathouse, and as +they approached they saw a fairly-good boat drawn up on the shore.</p> + +<p>"That will do!" cried Andy. "That wasn't here the day we came."</p> + +<p>"No, that belongs to Bill Spalter, who does odd jobs around the +school," hurriedly explained Ward. "I guess you can take it."</p> + +<p>Andy began shoving off the craft.</p> + +<p>"You come with me, Jack," he said. "That's about all it will hold," he +added to Ward, who nodded comprehendingly.</p> + +<p>With strong strokes the two lads pulled toward where Frank was swimming +with his burden. Shouts from those on the shell told him someone was +coming to the rescue and Frank turned to where they pointed back of +him, and swam to meet his brother.</p> + +<p>"He's pretty far gone, but I guess we can bring him around," panted +the elder Racer lad, as he helped Andy and Jack get the rescued one +into the boat. "Get ashore as fast as you can," he added as he himself +clambered in.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that Frank and Andy knew the rules for reviving +partially drowned persons. They worked vigorously over the unconscious +lad when they reached the platform about the boathouse, and soon +had most of the water out of his lungs. Then they tried artificial +respiration.</p> + +<p>"This is like the time when we rescued Paul," said Andy, referring to +their summer spent at Harbor View.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk—work," advised Frank. And they did work to such advantage +that in a little while the rescued one opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"He's all right now," said Frank, with a sigh of relief. "But it was a +close call. He had a bad cramp."</p> + +<p>"Where are the others?" asked the lad faintly.</p> + +<p>"They're all right," answered Jack. "They've got the shell ashore now +and righted. They'll be here for you soon."</p> + +<p>"You fellows are all right!" declared the lad who had been so near +death. "Crawford is my name, Tom Crawford. I'm from Waterside."</p> + +<p>"We're from Riverview," spoke Jack, and he named himself and his +companions. "Are you all right now?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so—yes, I'm all right," and Tom Crawford, who seemed to be a +manly young chap, proved his words by walking about. "A little weak in +the legs," he confessed with a smile.</p> + +<p>"We can row you to your school," suggested Frank, "though this boat +isn't very good."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, thanks, I wouldn't think of troubling you. I can walk, I +guess."</p> + +<p>"You won't have to. Here comes the shell after you," said Andy. "How +did you come to upset?"</p> + +<p>"It was my fault, I guess. I don't pull a very good stroke yet. You see +we're only the freshman crew, but some of the fellows are better than +I. I caught a crab, when we were trying to avoid an old boat, and we +went over. Then I got a cramp. But it was bully of you to come out and +get me," he added, taking Frank's hand in a firm clasp. "I'll never +forget it. You saved my life."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! Any one would have done it," said Frank.</p> + +<p>There were more thanks and congratulations from the other members of +the freshman eight when they reached what passed as the landing stage +for the Riverview boathouse. Frank and Andy, though, noticed that there +was something of a coldness between their two chums and the other +school lads.</p> + +<p>"What's the reason for that?" asked Frank when the shell had been rowed +away, after renewed thanks on the part of Tom Crawford. "Why, aren't +you friendly with those fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Well, they've always been our rivals," explained Jack. "There is +considerable jealous feeling I guess, just as there is between us and +Milton Academy. That's another school farther up the river. You see we +used to play both of them on the diamond and gridiron, as well as race +them on the river. But of late years there has been nothing of that +sort."</p> + +<p>"It ought to be changed," declared Frank, and, though the others agreed +with him, they saw no way of bringing it about.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's getting late and we'd better be getting back to school," +said Jack, after a pause. "I should think you'd want to change your +togs, Frank."</p> + +<p>"I do. I'm a pretty looking sight, I guess. Come on."</p> + +<p>As Frank was going to his room, he met in the corridor Professor +Callum. The crabbed instructor looked at the wet figure, scowled and +rasped out:</p> + +<p>"Well, what have you been doing? Falling in the river?"</p> + +<p>"I went in to save a lad who had a cramp," explained Frank.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Well I want to tell you one thing, Mr. Racer. I don't allow +students to dirty up this dormitory. I'm in charge I'd have you know, +and the next time you get wet change your clothes before you come in +here. We can't be paying janitors to clean after you boys all the +while."</p> + +<p>Frank said nothing, but kept on to his room.</p> + +<p>"Nice pleasant sort of a man; isn't he?" observed Andy grimly.</p> + +<p>"Sort of that way," admitted his brother sarcastically.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">OVER THE RIVER</p> + + +<p>"Say, but you fellows have this room fixed up in great shape!" +complimented Jack Sanderson.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's pippy!" declared Ward Platt after another glance around the +apartment. They had called on Frank and Andy in the permanent apartment +that had been assigned to them, and their expressions of admiration +were called forth by the various ornaments and pictures with which the +Racer boys had decorated their study.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's sort of so-so," admitted Frank. "We brought these things +with us, and we thought we might as well stick them up. It makes it +sort of home-like."</p> + +<p>"I should say it did," agreed Jack, as he looked at a pair of fencing +foils.</p> + +<p>"Do you use these?" asked Ward, indicating two pairs of boxing gloves.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank and I put them on for fun once in a while," admitted Andy.</p> + +<p>"You may need 'em if Gerald Welter keeps his word and gets into a fight +with you," said Jack with a smile at Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not worrying. But I haven't seen him lately. Where has he +been?"</p> + +<p>This was several days after the rescue of Tom Crawford from the river, +and during the interim our heroes had settled down into the life and +ways of Riverview Hall.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Welter," answered Ward. "I heard he went off on a little spree +with Luke Moss. They came in late and were caught by Thorny. He made +them stay in their rooms three days."</p> + +<p>"So, that's the how of it," commented Frank. "Thorny seems to be right +on the job."</p> + +<p>"You'd have thought so if you'd seen him bullying that little Miss +Morton," commented Andy. "By the way, Frank, what did she have to say +to you that day you met her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and who was the pretty girl with her?" Jack wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"That was Grace Knox," said Frank, "and Miss Morton was telling me +about her money troubles with Thorny. It's a shame, and I'm going to +see if dad can't do something about those bonds," he added to his +brother, when he had related the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"I believe he could," declared Andy. "It's worth trying, anyhow. But +say, speaking of money matters, when is that millionaire coming here to +invest in Riverview stock?" he asked of Jack. "I wish he'd hurry up, +for if we're going to have any money to spend on the gridiron or in +getting a racing shell we'd better do it before cold weather sets in."</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard anything about that lately," replied Jack. "But I +don't believe it will pan out in time for this year. We used to row +pretty late on the river though, much later than is usual at other +schools or colleges. We have a fine course here."</p> + +<p>"But no boats," said Frank regretfully. "Well, I've got to do some +boning. Don't let me stop the talk though; go right on."</p> + +<p>"No, we've got to go," announced Jack. "I'm not as well up on +to-morrow's Latin as I ought to be." Thereupon the two visitors took +their departure and Frank and Andy did some studying.</p> + +<p>"I'm going for a row to-morrow afternoon," said the elder lad, after a +period of silence. "Want to come?"</p> + +<p>"What are you going to row in?"</p> + +<p>"Bill Spalter said I could take his boat. It isn't so bad, though it's +awful slow and heavy. I'd almost go rowing in a tub, just to get on the +water again."</p> + +<p>"So would I. I'm with you."</p> + +<p>Jack and Ward had some lessons to make up the next day, and could not +join our heroes. Frank and Andy hastened down to the river, the waters +of which were sparkling in the sun.</p> + +<p>"Gee, but it's a fine day!" exclaimed Andy. "I'd like to have some fun."</p> + +<p>"With—er—lobsters, for instance?" asked Frank with a sly smile, +referring to the time when a joke was turned on his brother, as related +in "The Racer Boys."</p> + +<p>"Not on your life—no! But say with that bully Welter. I saw him +to-day, and he sneered at me."</p> + +<p>"He didn't try to make you tip your cap, did he?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not! I'd have tackled him if he had, though he's bigger +than I am."</p> + +<p>"Leave him to me," said Frank significantly.</p> + +<p>They rowed leisurely down the river, for they had finished their +lessons early that day and had several hours to themselves.</p> + +<p>"This is a clumsy old tub, but it's great to be out in even this," said +Frank. "Oh, if we only had our boats here!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we couldn't send for them?" ventured Andy.</p> + +<p>"It's a little too late this year, but if we stay I've a good notion to +do it. Pull a little on your left, we're drifting too near the bank."</p> + +<p>Andy did as requested, and, as he looked over his shoulder to see the +course, he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Here comes the Waterside eight! Look how they pull! I wonder if Tom +Crawford is in it?"</p> + +<p>"That isn't a freshman shell," declared Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Freshmen can't row like that. It must be the varsity. I believe it +is! Say, they're all right," and Frank paused in his rowing to gaze +admiringly at the oncoming shell. Truly it was a pretty sight.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer it came at a swift pace. Unconsciously both Andy and +Frank ceased rowing and their boat drifted with the current. They were +nearer the oncoming shell than they realized, especially since the +coxswain changed his course slightly to avoid a floating log.</p> + +<p>Suddenly above the voice of the steersman monotonously counting the +strokes there came a cry.</p> + +<p>"Hey, you fellows! Look where you're going! Do you want us to run +you down?" The hail came from the shell, and the tones were almost +insulting.</p> + +<p>"Gee! We <i>are</i> pretty close," said Andy in some alarm. "Pull over, +Frank."</p> + +<p>The two lads dipped their oars in the water, but the current had them +in more of a grip than they counted on. The rowers from Waterside had +not ceased their swift strokes and the knife-like shell was fairly +tearing through the water.</p> + +<p>"Look out! Look out!" yelled several of the scantily-clad rowers. The +shell was between the heavy drifting log and the big clumsy rowboat +containing Frank and Andy. To steer the shell very much to either side, +at the rate it was going, would mean almost certain capsizing.</p> + +<p>"What ails you boobs, anyhow?" howled the coxswain. "You ought not to +be allowed on the river without a nurse. Get off our course!"</p> + +<p>The men had ceased rowing but the shell was still shooting forward +under its momentum. A flush came to Frank's tanned face.</p> + +<p>"We've got as good a right on this river as you have!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"They're from Riverview!" cried a rower. "Soak 'em!"</p> + +<p>"Pull away," advised Andy in a low voice.</p> + +<p>But it was too late. On came the shell. The rowboat was rapidly +drifting and in spite of the efforts of the brothers the two craft came +together broadside. There was a splintering of wood and the oar of the +bow rower was smashed. The shell careened violently.</p> + +<p>"Look out! We're going to capsize!" yelled the excited lads, while the +coxswain hurled a volley of abuse at Frank and Andy.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE MILLIONAIRE ARRIVES</p> + + +<p>Only by the smallest margin was the long narrow racing shell prevented +from turning over. Prompt action on the part of the lads in it, who +were veteran oarsmen in spite of their years, saved the day. But +considerable water was shipped.</p> + +<p>As for Andy and Frank, they worked hard with their sculls to send their +boat out of the way of the other craft. The current hampered them, and +it took considerable muscle to get them where there was no danger for +themselves or the lads from Waterside Hall.</p> + +<p>Then, when comparative calmness had succeeded the confusion, the looks +of all in the shell were turned on our two heroes.</p> + +<p>"Say, who are you dubs, anyhow?" demanded the irate coxswain.</p> + +<p>"They're from Riverview," put in a rower. "Can't you tell by their +sweaters?"</p> + +<p>"Well, all I've got to say," went on the coxswain, "is that you fellows +ought to stay off this part of the river until you know how to row. +You've broken one of our oars and maybe damaged our shell. Why don't +you keep near shore until you know how to handle a boat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it was my best oar, too," wailed the bow rower ruefully as he +gazed at the splintered sweep.</p> + +<p>"We ought to duck them!" exclaimed the rower front of him. "It would +serve 'em right."</p> + +<p>This tirade and abuse had been heaped up so quickly on Andy and Frank +that they had not had time to reply to it. But they were far from going +to sit still and take it all calmly.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Frank, as he held the old tub steady with slow +sweeps of the oars, "you fellows may think you own the river, but you +don't."</p> + +<p>"We have as much right on it as you have," added Andy.</p> + +<p>"Hear 'em talk!" jeered the coxswain.</p> + +<p>"And what's more," continued the elder Racer lad, "it was as much your +fault as ours."</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out?" asked a rower amidships.</p> + +<p>"Because you are supposed to know the currents of this stream, and +we've only been here a few days. If I lived near a stream of water I'd +know all about it before very long."</p> + +<p>"Aw get out, you're dubs! You don't know how to row!"</p> + +<p>"We don't, eh?" demanded Andy. "I'll race any one of you individually +in any kind of a craft you like. Don't know how to row!"</p> + +<p>"We could row before you fellows knew what a boat or an oar was," +declared Frank, and this was probably true, for they had been near the +water all their lives and had been trusted out, not too far from shore, +alone, when but five years old.</p> + +<p>"Well, you want to keep out of our way after this," was all the retort +the coxswain could make.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you dubs from Riverview haven't any rights on the river since you +gave up racing," added another of the Waterside Hall lads.</p> + +<p>"Is there such a place as Riverview any more?" asked a third. "I +understood it had been sold at auction."</p> + +<p>There was a laugh at this, a laugh that brought a flush of anger and +shame to the cheeks of Frank and Andy. The laugh still rang in their +ears as they rowed away, and its echo seemed to follow them as they +disappeared around a bend in the river and saw the shell being pulled +back.</p> + +<p>"Well?" remarked Andy in a questioning tone, after a long period of +silence.</p> + +<p>"Um," said Frank, noncommittally. "They're rather a stuck-up crowd. +They think they're the whole universe when it comes to rowing, and a +bit more. I wish we could take them down a peg. I'd just like to be one +of a four-oared-shell crowd to put it all over them. Jove! Wouldn't it +be fun to beat the jackets off them?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, what's the use?" wearily demanded Andy. "We belong to a dub +school, even if we aren't dubs ourselves. There's no use denying +it—Riverview is on the fritz and we know it. Everybody else knows it +too. I feel like quitting. I'm going to write to dad to-night, and tell +him all about it." Clearly the recent happening had taken the spunk out +of Andy.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Frank vigorously. "There never yet was a Racer +who was a quitter, and you're not going to begin. I said we'd stick it +out, and we will. We won't give up just because those fellows laughed +at us. They'd have some excuse for calling us dubs then. No, sir, we'll +stick it out, and if there's any possible way of it I'm going to row +those Waterside fellows and beat 'em, too!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't possible, Frank."</p> + +<p>"I don't care, I'm going to stick, just the same."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's some excuse for you."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that you are older than I am, and you've made more friends +already."</p> + +<p>"More? Why you've got as many friends as I have."</p> + +<p>"There's Miss Morton, and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, cut it out. Is that what's eating you? Say, I thought you looked +a bit down in the gills. Now look here, she's got a friend, Miss Knox, +and I'll introduce you to her."</p> + +<p>"Aw, I don't want to meet any girls," protested Andy with a blush.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, you've got to meet her. I promised Miss Morton I'd +call on her some night this week. I'm going to have a look at those +bonds and then I'm going to see what dad can do about them. I heard +that old Thorny made another demand on the widow for the money and +she's at her wits' end. I'm going to see Gertrude, and you're coming."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am, eh?" asked Andy rather sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and you're going to meet her friend. She's going to be +there—Gertrude told me so."</p> + +<p>"Seems to me you're getting quite familiar on short +acquaintance—calling her by her front handle."</p> + +<p>"Cut it out, I know what I'm doing."</p> + +<p>The two brothers rowed on in silence until they came in sight of the +ruined boathouse of Riverview Hall. Then Andy remarked:</p> + +<p>"There's Jack and Ward. Going to tell them?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered his brother. "I want to make a proposition to them."</p> + +<p>"What kind?"</p> + +<p>"You'll soon hear. I've made up my mind to one thing, and that is, if +it's at all possible, Riverview is going to have a racing crew if it's +only a four-oared shell."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" cried Andy as he helped his brother to make fast Bill +Spalter's boat.</p> + +<p>"Where have you fellows been?" demanded Jack Sanderson. "We were +looking for you."</p> + +<p>"Just for a little jaunt," answered Frank, "and we had quite an +experience, too," and he proceeded to relate the particulars of the +run-in with the Waterside boys.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know they were that kind of chaps," commented Andy.</p> + +<p>"They're snobs, of the worst kind," declared Jade. "It didn't use to +be so, when Riverview was in her glory. Then our boys used to put it +all over those chaps. But now it's different," and he shook his head +mournfully.</p> + +<p>"Much different," added Ward.</p> + +<p>"But why need it be?" asked Frank quickly. "I'm sure there is as good +material here as in that school," and he waved his hand down the river. +"Why can't we get up a rowing crew? There is still time enough this +season. Maybe we could challenge Waterside Hall."</p> + +<p>"Where's the money to come from?" asked Jack. "Who'll support the +crew?"</p> + +<p>"And where's the crew to come from?" asked Ward.</p> + +<p>"If we only went in for a four-oared shell it wouldn't take much of a +crew," said Frank quickly. "Andy and I are in training, and from what +I've seen of you and Jack, you are also. We four could give a good +account of ourselves I fancy. Do they have a four-oared varsity shell +at Waterside?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Some of the fellows in the eight row in the four—the same ones +you had the run-in with to-day."</p> + +<p>"Then they are some rowers—believe me," spoke Andy with conviction. +"But I'm willing."</p> + +<p>"I would like to go in for it!" said Ward decidedly. "I wonder if we +could manage it?"</p> + +<p>Eagerly the four lads talked it over as they walked up to the school +buildings. Frank and Andy were more eager than their companions, +perhaps for the reason that the stagnant blood of Riverview had not yet +had its effect on them. Jack and Ward would have been glad to see even +one four-oared shell carrying the colors of their school, but they did +not understand how it could be managed.</p> + +<p>"If Riverview was a richer school, or if there was more of a school +spirit here, we could do it easily," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Even without the spirit that could soon be brought out if some rich +man would endow the school heavily," suggested Ward.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to find some way to have a crew," declared Frank +determinedly as they parted to go to their respective rooms. "You +fellows come and see us to-night and I may have a plan."</p> + +<p>As Frank and Andy were about to enter their apartment they were passed +in the corridor by Professor Thorndyke Callum. The crabbed teacher did +not see them, or, if he did, he took no notice of them. He was speaking +to Professor Dickson.</p> + +<p>"I have to go away this evening," Mr. Callum was saying. "I shall leave +you in charge of this dormitory, Professor. And I warn you that there +are a number of unruly spirits here. In particular look out for those +two Racer lads."</p> + +<p>"Hum!" murmured Frank, as he slid into his room. "We may give you +plenty of excuse for saying that, Thorny, before we get through with +you." The next words of the crabbed instructor came to Frank as a shock.</p> + +<p>"I have to go to Dailsburg on some money matters," went on Mr. Callum. +"I am trying to collect an outstanding debt, and I fear I shall have to +take strenuous measures."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! He's going to annoy Gertrude and her mother again!" whispered +Frank to his brother. "I'm going to stop that business!"</p> + +<p>"How are you going to do it? You can't go out and have a row with +Callum, now."</p> + +<p>"I know it, but I can go to Dailsburg myself and tell Mrs. Morton that +dad will take charge of her financial affairs. Dad will make Thorny +know what's what, and teach him to let a poor widow and her daughter +alone. I'm going to Dailsburg."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" exclaimed Andy. "I'm with you. We'll run the guard +right after supper."</p> + +<p>But Andy and Frank were not to get away as soon as they hoped to. They +hurried to their room after the evening meal, dispensed with study that +evening and made preparations for getting quietly out of school. This +was against the rules, but they knew Mr. Callum was not on guard.</p> + +<p>"Professor Dickson will be easy," was Frank's opinion. "He'll probably +keep to his room all evening working on some mathematical problem. We +can get out and back again before he knows it. Come on, Andy."</p> + +<p>There sounded a cautious knock on their door—the knock of Jack or +Ward, given in the usual signal code. Frank swung the portal.</p> + +<p>"Hurray! Good news!" cried Jack, for it was he and his chum who stood +in the hall.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"The millionaire has come," whispered Ward as he slipped in after Jack. +"Mr. Pierson Lairman, who is an old grad of Riverview, reached here +to-night. He's the one I was telling you about who is going to invest +a lot of money in the school. It means the solution of Dr. Doolittle's +financial troubles and it means that the old school will take on new +life."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it means that we can have a crew, a nine, and a football +eleven!" added Jack. "We just heard the news and came to tell you. Mr. +Lairman is in Dr. Doolittle's study now. He brought a black bag with +him. I wouldn't wonder but what it was stuffed with greenbacks. Wow! +Isn't it great! Now we don't have to worry about getting a shell. Let's +talk about the new crew! I'll row now!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">AN ANGRY PROFESSOR</p> + + +<p>There was so much whirlwind enthusiasm in the dual announcement by Jack +and Ward that, for a moment, Frank and Andy could not get a word in. +They motioned their companions to seats and then asked for particulars.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure he's here?" demanded Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's been rumored for some time that he was to come, and he's +here all right," said Ward.</p> + +<p>"Besides I heard Dr. Doolittle call him by his name," added Jack. "And +if you could see how happy the poor worried doctor looked it would have +been proof enough."</p> + +<p>"I hope it is true, and that he does invest about a million in +Riverview," spoke Andy. "She needs it," and he gazed out over the +neglected athletic fields and toward the ruined boathouse.</p> + +<p>"How did it all come about?" Frank wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, this millionaire—Mr. Lairman—used to attend school here +years ago," explained Jack, who seemed to have all the traditions of +Riverview at his tongue's end. "It was a different sort of a place +then, and lots of rich men's sons came here. After years had passed, as +they say in the novels, Mr. Lairman graduated, went away and amassed a +fortune. Notice that word 'amassed.'"</p> + +<p>"Some class to you," murmured Frank.</p> + +<p>"Go on," urged Andy.</p> + +<p>"More years passed," resumed Jack, "and Riverview fell upon dark +days. Recently Dr. Doolittle, seeking help, chanced to think of Mr. +Lairman. He wrote to him and asked him to take a half interest in +the school, which, the doctor said, ought to be made to pay well if +rightly managed. Mr. Lairman said he'd come on and investigate. He's +here—what's the answer?"</p> + +<p>"If he only <i>does</i> invest," murmured Ward, "it will be the best +thing that could happen. I say, let's talk all about it."</p> + +<p>"Not now," said Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Andy and I have to go out. Don't say anything about it, but we're going +to cut. Thorny is away and it's safe."</p> + +<p>"Got a date?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Sort of," admitted the elder Racer lad. "Don't think we're putting you +out, but we've got to tog up."</p> + +<p>"Girls! I knew it!" cried Ward. "Come on, Jack. Let's go where we're +appreciated."</p> + +<p>"Don't think we're not glad about the news," went on Frank, "but this +is something important and it won't keep."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," spoke Jack good-naturedly. "We know how it is. Get +on your pink neckties and scoot. We'll see you again."</p> + +<p>Frank and Andy began to make a hasty change in their attire as soon as +the door closed.</p> + +<p>"I hope we're not too late," murmured Frank. "I want to get there +before Old Thorny does."</p> + +<p>"Did you get an invite?" asked Andy, struggling with a new necktie in a +stiff collar. "Does she know you are coming?"</p> + +<p>"No, but the last time I saw Gertrude she invited me to call, though +she didn't set any time. It's time now, though, so it will be all +right. I want to get ahead of him, and I'll tell Mrs. Morton that she +needn't worry about those bonds, for dad will make them all right."</p> + +<p>"How do you know he will?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm pretty sure. Anyhow, if he doesn't, I've got some money of my +own. I didn't spend all we got from the whale."</p> + +<p>"Me either. Say, but you're getting in deep, though. But I'm with you, +and if you need any cash—just call on me. I'd do a good bit to get +ahead of Old Thorny. But what do you think of the news Jack and Ward +brought?"</p> + +<p>"About the millionaire? I only hope it's true. It's about time +something was done for Riverview. Well, I'm ready. Come on."</p> + +<p>"Do I look all right?" Andy asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Sure, but what do you care?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought you said that——"</p> + +<p>"Oh ho! I see! Well, maybe Grace will be there. Come on."</p> + +<p>It was but a short ride to Dailsburg on the trolley from Riverview, and +on the way Frank and Andy kept a sharp watch for Professor Callum. But +he was either ahead of or behind them. The latter, Frank hoped.</p> + +<p>Frank's ring at the bell of the Morton home was answered by Gertrude in +person. Her face, which bore a worried expression, lighted up at the +sight of him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm very glad to see you!" she exclaimed. "Come in."</p> + +<p>"Andy is here too," said Frank, with a little laugh.</p> + +<p>"That's nice. Grace Knox is calling on me. You met her, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but, Miss Gertrude, is your mother in? I called partly on +business."</p> + +<p>"She is in, but she has a caller now. Professor Callum is in the +parlor." The boys could hear the rumbling of his crabbed voice.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm too late!" said Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>"Too late? What do you mean?" asked Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"I heard him talking to one of the other teachers to-day," said Frank, +"and I guessed that he was coming here. I want to tell your mother that +I'm going to have my father take up the matter of the bonds or stocks +at once. I know he can get her some money for them so she won't have +to worry any more about not being able to pay Old Thorn—I mean Mr. +Callum. I hurried here hoping to get ahead of him, so she wouldn't be +insulted by him. She could tell him that arrangements were being made +to sell the bonds."</p> + +<p>"But are you sure of this?" asked Gertrude, a look of hope coming into +her face. "We have been so often disappointed, though we are sure the +bonds are perfectly good. I would not want to raise false hopes."</p> + +<p>"I am sure the bonds are good!" agreed Frank, "and I am sure we can get +money for them. Andy and I know something about finance."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said the younger brother with a wise nod of his head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed the girl. "I'll tell mamma at once. I wish +you had gotten here before he did," and she nodded in the direction +of the parlor, "as I know mamma is very much distressed about the +matter, and this interview is sure to give her a headache. Mr. Callum, +in his usual rough way, made a demand for the money at once. He even +threatened to sell our little home if we didn't pay. I'm going to see +if I can get a chance to tell mamma. Come in, I'll take you to Grace, +and she can entertain you until I come back."</p> + +<p>Andy blushed when presented to the pretty companion of their young +hostess, but he soon recovered his usual spirits and gave a laughable +account of a joke he had played at school that day. The young people +were getting on well together when Gertrude entered the dining-room, +followed by her mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you think there is really a chance?" asked Mrs. Morton, when +Frank and Andy had been introduced, and the elder lad had explained his +project.</p> + +<p>"I am pretty sure," he answered. "If you will let me see the bonds I +will write my father about them."</p> + +<p>The securities which Mrs. Morton brought out, explaining that she +had excused herself from the professor for a time, proved to be in +a well-known industrial concern that, while it manufactured a good +product, yet had been in hard luck of late.</p> + +<p>"I believe those will prove valuable sooner or later," said Frank. +"I'll write to father at once. Meanwhile you might tell Professor +Callum that he will soon get his money."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed gratefully. "I cannot thank you +enough." She hurried back into the room, whence soon came the +protesting voice of the crabbed instructor. Mrs. Morton could be heard +reassuring him. The young people were gaily talking.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the door of the parlor opened and the professor came out, +followed by Gertrude's mother.</p> + +<p>"It is of no use!" the man exclaimed. "I will take no more promises. +I came here to-night determined to get the money, and I will have it. +Unless it is paid shortly I shall take means to levy on this property +and have it sold at auction to satisfy my claim. You said you have been +told that the bonds are good. But why don't you tell me who says this? +Why are you so secretive about it?"</p> + +<p>Frank had thought it best not to have Mrs. Morton mention his father's +name in the matter as yet.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell me who says the bonds are good?" demanded Mr. +Callum.</p> + +<p>"I am not allowed to—just yet."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I thought so. It's all bosh. I——"</p> + +<p>Just then the angry professor caught sight of Frank and Andy. The +expression of his face, when he saw two of his students whom he +supposed safe in their dormitories, now several miles away, can well be +imagined. His jaw dropped and his eyes opened wide.</p> + +<p>"What! You—you here?" he gasped. "How dare you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see why we dare not call on our friends," said Frank coolly.</p> + +<p>"You dare to leave the school grounds after hours!" stormed the +professor. "You shall be severely punished for this! I have been +suspecting you Racer boys for some time, and now I have caught you. You +shall suffer for this. Where's my hat? I am going back to Riverview at +once to report you!"</p> + +<p>He strode out of the room, while Frank and Andy gazed blankly at each +other.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT</p> + + +<p>The door slammed behind Professor Callum. It seemed to break the spell +of silence that hung over all.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a mean man!" exclaimed Grace Knox.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it a shame!" echoed Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"I'm so sorry on account of you boys," spoke Mrs. Morton. "It was fine +of you to come to offer help, but you never thought of being caught, I +dare say."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes we did," spoke Frank. "We always take that chance when we run +the guard. But it doesn't matter."</p> + +<p>"What will he do to you?" Mrs. Morton wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Oh, make us do a lot of lines in Latin prose," answered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Then you won't be expelled?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"No danger of that," laughed Frank. "They need all the students they +can get at Riverview. But I wouldn't like dad and mother to hear that +we were reported, especially when it isn't for anything very wrong."</p> + +<p>"If you could only get back to the school before he does, you might +be in your rooms, and he would hardly know whether he saw you here or +not," said Miss Gertrude with a mischievous smile.</p> + +<p>"But they can't," said her mother. "Mr. Callum will catch the next +trolley, and there isn't another for an hour."</p> + +<p>There was an apprehensive silence. Then Grace Knox cried:</p> + +<p>"I have it! The very thing! If you got in ahead of him, could you get +to your rooms quietly?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I guess we could manage it," declared Frank with a look at his brother.</p> + +<p>"Then here is my plan. You can't hope to get in ahead of him on the +trolley, but you can in an auto."</p> + +<p>"Where can we get an auto?" asked Frank eagerly.</p> + +<p>"My brother has one. It's speedy, and in good running order. I'll +telephone and have him bring it over here and he can run you to +Riverview in a few minutes. Then——"</p> + +<p>"Leave the rest to us," said Andy with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>The home of Miss Knox was not far from the Morton house, and Grace's +brother Will was soon on hand with the car. He laughed when the need of +haste was explained to him, for there had been no time in summoning him +by telephone to tell why he was wanted.</p> + +<p>"It'll be a good joke," he said. "I wish I was at school again."</p> + +<p>"We're a thousand times obliged to you," said Frank, as they started +off after saying good-bye to the girls, and after Frank had renewed his +promise about the bonds.</p> + +<p>It was a quick run to the school, and the boys asked Will Knox to stop +the car a short distance from their dormitory so that no one would hear +the noise of the engine.</p> + +<p>"Think you can get in?" he asked, as he prepared to turn back.</p> + +<p>"Sure," whispered Frank, as he and his brother moved forward in the +darkness. It was comparatively an easy matter to effect an entrance to +the dormitory. Like many other things about the school, the door locks +were broken, so the lads had no difficulty in swinging back a side +portal. Then, removing their shoes, they went softly to their rooms.</p> + +<p>"Thorny isn't back yet or we'd hear a commotion," was Frank's opinion, +with which Andy agreed.</p> + +<p>They lost no time in undressing and getting into bed. Then they waited +the arrival of the crabbed teacher, which they felt could not be long +delayed.</p> + +<p>They were just beginning to get drowsy, in spite of the excitement of +the evening, when they heard voices and steps in the corridor of the +lower story.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" exclaimed Andy.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Keep quiet," advised Frank.</p> + +<p>"I tell you they are out!" they heard Mr. Callum saying. "I saw them +over in Dailsburg not an hour ago. It is impossible for them to have +returned. I caught the first car back."</p> + +<p>"But I hardly understand how they could have been out," answered a +voice which the boys recognized as that of Professor Dickson. "I have +heard no one enter or leave the building since the hour struck."</p> + +<p>"Humph! You don't know those boys," said the crabbed instructor +sneeringly. "We will go to their room, and find it vacant."</p> + +<p>"Wait and see," murmured Frank.</p> + +<p>The footsteps approached their apartment. The boys could hardly keep +from laughing, but somehow they managed it. So confident was Mr. Callum +of finding our heroes out that he did not knock, but entered at once. +Frank had been careful to leave the door unlocked.</p> + +<p>"Now we shall see!" exclaimed Mr. Callum in triumph, as he lighted the +gas. "I will go at once and report to Dr. Doolittle that——"</p> + +<p>He stopped in confusion, for looking at him from their respective +pillows were the boys he had thought in Dailsburg.</p> + +<p>"What—how come you—what are you doing here?" stammered the surprised +professor.</p> + +<p>"Why, this is our room," spoke Frank innocently. "We always sleep here, +Mr. Callum. Did you want us?"</p> + +<p>"Want you? You—you—What were you doing in Dailsburg this evening?" he +almost shouted.</p> + +<p>"Were we in Dailsburg to-night?" asked Frank innocently of his brother.</p> + +<p>"Hum!" mused the younger lad, as if trying to remember. "Perhaps we may +have been."</p> + +<p>"Enough of this nonsense!" exclaimed the professor. "I know that you +were, and you shall be punished for it. Professor Dickson, remain here +on guard, and I will go summon Dr. Doolittle."</p> + +<p>"Oh, will it not keep until morning?" the mathematical instructor +wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Not with such boys as we have to deal with," was the snarling answer. +"I want them punished." Probably it was as much because of their +interference in the professor's money matters, as because of their +breach of the rules that the lads were to suffer.</p> + +<p>"And you say you met them in Dailsburg, and yet found them in bed when +you arrived?" our heroes presently heard the voice of Dr. Doolittle +asking, as he accompanied Mr. Callum along the hall.</p> + +<p>"That is correct, sir."</p> + +<p>"Might you not possibly be mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"In regard to what?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Professor Callum, you might not have seen the Racer boys in +Dailsburg."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I am <i>sure</i> I did. You might as well say they are not in +their beds at this moment."</p> + +<p>The venerable head of the school entered the apartment of Frank and +Andy. Mr. Callum with a look of triumph on his face followed.</p> + +<p>"Has the physician seen them?" asked Dr. Doolittle vaguely, reaching +for Andy's pulse. "Are you in much pain now, my boy?"</p> + +<p>"Pain?" gasped Andy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon. It is my absent-mindedness I'm afraid," +explained the master. "I thought I had been called to see you because +you were ill. I remember now. It was because—really, Professor Callum, +I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to tell me why you summoned me. I +have forgotten."</p> + +<p>"It was because these boys were out after hours without permission!" +exclaimed the irate instructor.</p> + +<p>"Is this true, boys?" asked the doctor a bit sternly. He never doubted +the word of a student.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's true," said Frank. "We had very important business in +Dailsburg, and——"</p> + +<p>"Well, as long as you found them in when you returned, and as long as +Professor Dickson, who, I understand, had your place as in charge of +the dormitories, did not see any breach of the rules, I think we will +overlook it this time," said the doctor kindly. "I have another matter, +about which——"</p> + +<p>"But I can't understand how they got here!" exclaimed Mr. Callum.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was all an optical illusion," suggested Professor Dickson.</p> + +<p>"Sir! Do you wish me to disbelieve the evidence of my own eyesight?" +demanded Mr. Callum pompously.</p> + +<p>"No, of course not," answered the doctor, rubbing his thin white hands +vigorously. "But we will regard the case as settled. Go to sleep, boys. +It is late. And, professors, perhaps a happier day is dawning for old +Riverview. My friend, Mr. Lairman, the millionaire, is going all over +the grounds with me to-morrow and he will then give his decision about +investing in a half interest. I am sure he will, and then we will see +great improvements here. Come to my room and we will discuss them."</p> + +<p>"But——" protested Mr. Callum.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let the boys alone," urged Professor Dickson. "I think they played +a right smart trick, and I'd like to know how it was done."</p> + +<p>"I'll find out!" exclaimed Mr. Callum vindictively. "I will not let +this rest here."</p> + +<p>Their voices trailed off in an indistinct murmur, and Frank and Andy, +chuckling over the success of their plan, fell asleep.</p> + +<p>All over the school the next morning it was rumored that the +millionaire was "sizing things up." The boys saw him being escorted +over the unkempt campus, out on the neglected diamond and gridiron, +about through the buildings sadly in need of repair, and toward the +ruined boathouse.</p> + +<p>"Say, I hope he sets aside a fund for a shell the first thing he does!" +exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he ought to endow a football team. We'd be right in it then!" +declared Austin Vedder.</p> + +<p>"And have the diamond put in shape ready for next season," added Sam +Shull.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's great to be a millionaire!" declared Jack.</p> + +<p>It is doubtful if many lessons were well recited that day, as so much +interest was taken in the visit of the rich man. He was escorted about +by Dr. Doolittle, who seemed to think that the troubles of Riverview +were about over. The visitor was entertained by the doctor that +evening, leaving at a late hour.</p> + +<p>But there was a rude awakening the next day. Professor Callum presided +at chapel in place of the venerable doctor.</p> + +<p>"I regret to say," spoke the unpopular teacher, "that Dr. Doolittle is +not well this morning. He has had a great disappointment. I presume +some of you have heard of the prospects for an endowment of this +school. Those hopes are at an end. The gentleman concluded not to +invest."</p> + +<p>That was all that was said, but it was enough.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye to our diamond," murmured one lad.</p> + +<p>"No football this year," added another.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll have no crew," came from Frank.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" exclaimed Professor Callum. "You will go to your classes."</p> + +<p>And the boys, with lagging feet and with sorrowful faces, went. Their +hopes had been raised only to be dashed to the ground. Old Riverview +Hall looked more seedy and gone to ruin than before.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE OLD SHELL</p> + + +<p>"Say, isn't it tough luck?"</p> + +<p>"It sure is."</p> + +<p>"And just after we thought things were going so nicely."</p> + +<p>"Old Thorny seems glad of it."</p> + +<p>"That's because he doesn't take any interest in sport."</p> + +<p>"But Dr. Doolittle is pretty well broken up."</p> + +<p>"Sure thing. It's hard for him."</p> + +<p>The above conversation was going on among a group of Riverview Hall +students several days after the events narrated in the last chapter. In +fact following the disappointing visit of the millionaire little else +had been talked about. Our two heroes and their chums were in the group.</p> + +<p>"I heard," remarked Jack Sanderson, "that the reason Mr. Lairman backed +down was because the school was so slow."</p> + +<p>"Slow? How do you mean?" asked Frank Racer.</p> + +<p>"I mean in regard to athletics. He wasn't so much impressed by the +buildings being out of condition and all that, but I hear that when +he saw the diamond all overgrown with weeds, and the gridiron all but +invisible, and the boathouse a wreck, he threw up the sponge."</p> + +<p>"I don't blame him," remarked Andy. "It's partly our fault. We fellows +ought to do something."</p> + +<p>"But what can we do?" asked Ward Platt. "We can't start a football +eleven without some money, and I know I can't put up much cash."</p> + +<p>"We don't need much," insisted Andy. "We ought to be able to get up +some sort of a crew or eleven and challenge Waterside Hall or Milton +Academy."</p> + +<p>"What! Challenge those fellows?" cried several.</p> + +<p>"Yes, why not?" Frank wanted to know, with an air of quiet +determination.</p> + +<p>"They'd only laugh at us," was Jack's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Let 'em laugh then," said Andy. "We can stand it if they can. Say, +you fellows may be used to this sort of thing," and he waved his hand +around the diamond, over which they were walking, "but my brother and I +are not. We're used to doing things; eh, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"That's what. And we'll do 'em now. If there was only some way we could +get up a contest. Isn't there an old football around here?"</p> + +<p>"I have one," said Ward, "but it's a little warm to even practice +to-day. It's better suited to rowing."</p> + +<p>"Can't row when you haven't a shell," said Frank. "Get the ball, and +we'll have a little fun anyhow."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward twenty-two lads, who had donned old clothes, for there +was not a football suit in the whole school, were kicking an old ball +about, falling on it, running with it, and doing their best to play a +regulation game. It was hard, as few save Frank, Andy and their two +chums knew the rules, but they soon warmed up and were very much in +earnest.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul!" exclaimed Dr. Doolittle a short time after this, as +he was crossing the campus with Professor Callum. "What are the boys +doing?"</p> + +<p>"Playing football it seems," answered the crabbed instructor with a +sarcastic laugh. "They might better be at their studies."</p> + +<p>"Oh, boys must play," said the good doctor with a sigh. "But I did not +know they had an eleven. It is almost—like old times."</p> + +<p>"It isn't a regular team," explained the professor. "I fancy it is some +of the doings of those Racer boys."</p> + +<p>"The more credit to them. They are manly chaps. I am sorry they were +ill the other night."</p> + +<p>"Ill!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "They were——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember now. You told me they were out after hours without +permission. I can't understand it—can't understand it," and the doctor +walked on, slowly nodding his head and thinking of many things, chief +among which was where he could raise the money to pay many pending +bills.</p> + +<p>"That's the best fun we've had in a long time!" panted Jack, when the +impromptu game was over.</p> + +<p>"Yes, let's have it again to-morrow," added a well-built lad who had +been playing center.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you Racer boys came here. You're waking us up," was a third +comment.</p> + +<p>"Wait; we haven't begun yet," said Frank with a laugh. "Have we, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"That's right. I have a whole barrel of jokes yet that I haven't +unpacked. Wait a bit."</p> + +<p>"Better go slow on the jokes," warned his brother when they were alone. +"Old Thorny is just waiting for another chance at us, and when it +comes, as it's almost sure to, we won't get off so easy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't borrow trouble," advised Andy with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could borrow a shell, or some kind of a boat to race in," +went on Frank. "Come on down to the river. Bill Spalter isn't using +his boat, and we'll have a little row. We will have time just before +supper."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you. Go ahead."</p> + +<p>They went down the river about a mile and rowed back at such speed as +"the tub" was limited to.</p> + +<p>"It's a pity there aren't any more boats around here," Frank remarked +to Bill, as they tied up his craft. "What became of the racing shells +they used to have when this school was in its prime?"</p> + +<p>"Racing shells!" exclaimed Bill with a laugh. "They don't last many +seasons. But I think there's an old one around here somewhere."</p> + +<p>"There is?" cried Frank eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, the last I seen of it she was over in the old barn, up overhead +on some beams. I don't believe it's any good, though. It's a four-oared +one, and was quite fast in its day."</p> + +<p>"Let's go have a look at it," suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Andy. We've got time."</p> + +<p>"It's too dark," objected his brother.</p> + +<p>"Here's a lantern," suggested Bill. "I'd be glad to see some life about +this place. Maybe they'd raise my wages then. The shell is in the big +barn, not the little one."</p> + +<p>Very eager over the unexpected news they had heard, Frank and Andy +hurried on, swinging the lighted lantern.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" a voice hailed them.</p> + +<p>"They're two Diogenes chaps looking for a dishonest man," said another.</p> + +<p>"There's Jack and Ward," said Andy. "Shall we tell 'em?"</p> + +<p>"Sure." Thereupon the two chums were let into the secret.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid a shell that's been in the barn several years isn't much +good," was Jack's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we can fix it up," said Ward, more hopefully.</p> + +<p>The boys found the shell covered with dust, hayseed and odds and ends +of refuse. Eagerly they flashed the light of the lantern upon its +slender outlines.</p> + +<p>"It was a beaut in it's day," was Frank's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I think we can patch it up and use it," declared Andy, who +knew almost as much about boats as did his brother. "We'll have a shell +yet."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think you can?" inquired Jack, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It's worth trying," said Frank, after another critical inspection. "I +wish we had it on the ground and it was daylight, I think——"</p> + +<p>"Cheese it!" Andy interrupted him. "Someone is coming along the path."</p> + +<p>"It's old Thorny," said Ward, after a look out of an upper window.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! Just my luck!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" Ward inquired.</p> + +<p>"I've just thought of a dandy trick to play on him. Will you fellows +help?"</p> + +<p>"Another trick!" half groaned Frank, who knew his brother's failing.</p> + +<p>"Are you game?" demanded Andy of the two new chums.</p> + +<p>"Sure," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Lead on," came from Ward.</p> + +<p>"Then draw hither and list, my brave comrades," whispered the younger +Racer lad as they gathered about the lantern.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE DISCOVERY</p> + + +<p>"What are you going to do?" demanded Frank. "Nothing that we can get +caught at, I hope."</p> + +<p>"Nixy," replied Andy. "You see, he's coming this way, and he's all +togged up—even to his tall hat."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he's going calling," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"He won't, after we get through with him," went on the younger brother. +"I saw a basket full of chaff and bran over there in the corner. Now +what I'm going to do is to put it on the edge of this low door through +which they used to take in the hay. Just when Old Thorny gets under it +that basket will fall, and——"</p> + +<p>"You mean it will be pushed—it won't fall," suggested Ward.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the difference?" asked Andy, "as long as the chaff goes +all over Thorny?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'll have to do it," spoke Frank with a sigh. "But we +haven't much time. He's nearly here."</p> + +<p>"Time enough," came from Andy. "He's walking slowly. I guess he's +thinking up some new kind of torture to inflict on us. This bran and +chaff won't hurt him, but it will be mighty inconvenient, sifting down +inside his clothes."</p> + +<p>It did not take the lads in the old barn loft very long to bring the +basket of chaff from the obscure corner where Andy's sharp eyes had +seen it. It was poised on the edge of the open doorway beneath which +the unpopular professor would soon pass. It was now quite dark in the +loft, the lantern not giving much illumination, but this exactly suited +the boys, as they did not want to be detected.</p> + +<p>"All ready," said Andy, when the basket had been put in place. "Where +is he?"</p> + +<p>"Look out and see," advised Frank. "It's your joke."</p> + +<p>"No, you look," urged Andy. "I'm going to do most of the work, anyhow. +I'm going to push the basket."</p> + +<p>"I'll take a peep," volunteered Jack. "He can't see us, I guess."</p> + +<p>He peered out of the low hay door, and a moment later drew in his head +quickly.</p> + +<p>"He's standing still," the spy reported, "and he seems to be studying +the stars."</p> + +<p>"Gee! I hope he doesn't turn back," exclaimed Andy. "Look out, Ward. +You'll have me in the basket in a moment." Ward had changed his +position, and had jostled up against Andy.</p> + +<p>"There I go!" exclaimed the younger lad a moment later as he lost his +balance and fell forward. His hands went into the basket of chaff up to +his elbows and there was a struggle before he recovered himself.</p> + +<p>"Cheese it, you fellows, or he'll hear you!" hoarsely whispered Frank. +"Here he comes!" he added a moment later after a quick observation. +"Get ready to tip it, Andy!"</p> + +<p>The younger lad, who was vigorously brushing the chaff and bran from +his clothes, moved a little nearer the door. Then, by leaning out; he +had a glimpse of Mr. Callum. The instructor was just then immediately +beneath the opening. The new moon, for it was now quite dark, glistened +on his shiny silk hat and Andy could see that Mr. Callum had on his +best clothes.</p> + +<p>An instant later the basket of dry and dusty chaff and bran went +toppling out, and fell like a miniature snow storm all about the +teacher. In a moment he was covered from head to foot with the stuff, +while the basket itself, turning upside down, was inverted over his +head, silk hat and all.</p> + +<p>"Oh wow!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper. "It worked like a charm. Listen +to him!"</p> + +<p>From below came a confusion of sounds.</p> + +<p>"Help! Thieves! I'm attacked! Help! What has happened? The barn has +toppled over!"</p> + +<p>"His hat is smashed!" exulted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" suddenly exclaimed Frank. "We've got to get out of here or +he'll be up."</p> + +<p>Indeed it was high time, for Professor Callum, after the first shock, +was beginning to reason out certain things. Baskets of chaff did not +fall from the hay windows of deserted barns without some human agency, +he reflected.</p> + +<p>"Who did that? Who is up there?" he demanded, gazing upward as well as +his eyes, smarting from the chaff, would let him. "I insist on knowing."</p> + +<p>"It's us for the tall timber," said Andy in a whisper. "Douse the glim +and go down the rear ladder."</p> + +<p>In an instant the loft was in darkness and the boys were cautiously +stealing down. Fortunately there were two ways of descending, which +fact the wily Andy had taken note of before perpetrating his joke. +Otherwise the plotters would have been caught, for when they were half +way down the rear ladder, they heard the irate professor mounting by +the front stairs. He was muttering indignantly:</p> + +<p>"This is an outrage! I know it was some of those rascally students! If +I can only catch them I'll have them expelled! It's outrageous!"</p> + +<p>"Hurry up!" whispered Jack, who was in the rear of the retreating +procession.</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet!" whispered back Andy. "He's got sharp ears."</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" suddenly demanded the professor. He had evidently heard +the voices, cautious though they were.</p> + +<p>The boys at once stood still. Not a sound was audible in the old barn +for perhaps half a minute. Then the instructor advanced and under +cover of the noise he made the lads completed their retreat. They were +soon speeding back to the school in the darkness and a little later +they were at supper where they talked of many things, including the +discovery of the old shell.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you fellows can never get that in shape," said Burnam Foster, one +of the seniors. "They had that on the water before I came here, and +that's four years ago. It will leak like a sieve."</p> + +<p>"We can calk it," declared Frank, and the enthusiastic talk went on. +Opinion was divided. Some thought that it was possible to get the shell +in shape, but the great majority declared that it was useless to try.</p> + +<p>"Nothing ever happens for any good at Riverview," declared one lad. +"The school has the dry rot."</p> + +<p>"It did have," remarked Jack Sanderson significantly, "but we've found +some sound wood that we're grafting on," and he motioned to Frank and +Andy, who, at that moment, were telling one of their chums about the +joke on Mr. Callum.</p> + +<p>"And where did you leave him?" Frank was asked.</p> + +<p>"Up in the barn, hunting for us. Has any one seen him since?"</p> + +<p>"I just saw him going to his room," answered the lad who was late to +supper. "He looked as if he'd been run over by an automobile on a dusty +road."</p> + +<p>"That's him all right," asserted Andy. "But come on, Frank, I want to +get off these old togs," for the lads were still in the clothes they +had used at the football game.</p> + +<p>The two brothers were walking along the corridor leading to their rooms +when they were surprised to see some one coming from their apartment.</p> + +<p>"Who's that?" whispered Andy. There was no need for his brother to +answer, for a moment later they saw that it was Mr. Callum. He was a +sorry-looking object, though he had succeeded in getting rid of most of +the chaff. At the sight of our heroes he stopped short and stared at +them.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to laugh!" exclaimed Andy in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare!" cautioned Frank. "Sneeze. Sneeze, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>Andy pulled out his handkerchief with a flourish and applied it to his +face preparatory to uttering a loud "A-ker-choo!" But there was no need +to imitate a sneeze, for instantly the air was filled with a white +cloud of dust which, getting up the noses of the two boys, as well as +that of the professor, caused a chorus of exclamations.</p> + +<p>And then, on the floor at Andy's feet appeared a neat little pile of +chaff and bran. It had sifted out of his pocket on the removal of the +handkerchief, having gotten in when he fell into the basket.</p> + +<p>For a moment Mr. Callum stared at the bit of mute evidence. Then he +glanced at his damaged hat and his whitened clothes. He darted a look +full of anger at the Racer boys and said:</p> + +<p>"Come with me to Dr. Doolittle! Come at once!"</p> + +<p>There was no choice but to obey, and Frank and Andy followed down the +corridor.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">OUT IN THE SHELL</p> + + +<p>"Guess we're caught all right," whispered Frank to his brother. "Why +didn't you take that stuff out of your pocket?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know it was in there. I don't care. We had to have some fun; +didn't we?"</p> + +<p>"There's your idea of it, Andy. You're always doing something. I wish I +hadn't consented to it. But we're in for it now."</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't squeal on the other fellows. We'll take our medicine +alone," said Andy grimly.</p> + +<p>"Of course," replied the older lad.</p> + +<p>By this time they were at the study of Dr. Doolittle. A soft light was +burning in the room, but the head of the school was not there. His +place was taken by his secretary.</p> + +<p>"I would like to see Dr. Doolittle on very important business—very +important," said Mr. Callum pompously. "It is an outrageous piece of +vandalism that I have to report."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry," said Mr. Paterson, the secretary, quietly, "but Dr. +Doolittle does not wish to be disturbed. He is not feeling well."</p> + +<p>"I demand to see him! I want these two boys expelled at once," said the +instructor. "They have insulted me, damaged my clothing and spoiled a +new hat. I want them expelled."</p> + +<p>"Dr. Doolittle does not want to be disturbed," repeated Mr. Paterson. +"The recent disappointment about not getting more capital for the +school has told heavily on him, Professor Callum."</p> + +<p>"I know, but that does not affect this case. He must take some notice +of it, and act at once on my complaint. These boys can not remain in +the school another day. Either they leave or I do!" and he shook an +accusing finger at the brothers.</p> + +<p>"I will take a note of what you wish to say," went on the secretary, +who, in spite of his youth, did not seem to fear the irate professor. +"I will give it to Dr. Doolittle in the morning."</p> + +<p>"I want to see him now."</p> + +<p>"He is not to be disturbed," was the quiet answer. "Will you give me +the facts?"</p> + +<p>It was only after much grumbling that Mr. Callum reduced his complaint +to writing. He told of the upsetting of the basket of chaff on his +head, and how he had discovered the tell-tale evidence in Andy's +pocket. He ended by making another demand for their dismissal. +Evidently he did not suspect any other lads of having had a hand in the +joke.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the secretary, "I will give this to Dr. Doolittle in +the morning. Have you boys anything to say?"</p> + +<p>"I—we—that is I—" began Andy stumblingly.</p> + +<p>"We have nothing to say now," interrupted Frank quickly, while the +professor glared at them.</p> + +<p>"Then Dr. Doolittle will send for you when he wants you. That is all +now."</p> + +<p>Still muttering threats against our heroes the professor withdrew, and +the lads slowly followed.</p> + +<p>"What was your idea in not saying anything?" asked Andy of his brother +as they once more went toward their rooms.</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you see? Poor Doc is off his feed. He's all knocked out +on account of this disappointment, and he doesn't care whether school +keeps or not. He won't pay any attention to Old Thorny's complaint and +we'll get out of it. Not that I'm anxious on that account, for I don't +believe he'd punish us much. But there's no use running your head into +danger that you can keep out of. You'll see, that complaint will go +under a mass of papers on the doctor's desk, and I doubt if he'll ever +see it. The secretary's talk about him not feeling well gave me the +tip."</p> + +<p>"Good for you! But old Thorny won't let it drop."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose he will. But what can he do if the Doc won't pay any +attention to him? Take it from me Doc doesn't like Callum any more than +we do and he knows we fellows are down on him. If Doc wants his school +to be popular he'd better drop old Thorny."</p> + +<p>"But even if Dr. Doolittle doesn't take any notice of the complaint and +punish us, old Thorny will have it in for us in class."</p> + +<p>"He has anyhow, so it won't be anything new. All we've got to do is not +to give him any more chances at us than possible. I wish this hadn't +happened, but since it has we'll make the best of it."</p> + +<p>"It was you fellows' fault for shoving me into the basket of chaff," +declared Andy with an injured tone. "Otherwise none of it would have +gotten into my pocket and he wouldn't have suspected."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, what's the use of kicking? That's the way with most of your +jokes—there's a slip-up somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you get out! If you played as many jokes as I do some of yours +would slip up once in a while, you old skate!"</p> + +<p>Andy aimed a playful punch at his brother which the latter dodged, and +at once there was a friendly scuffle in the hall outside of their room.</p> + +<p>"Here! Here! That will do! You boys are a disgrace to the school!" +exclaimed a rasping voice and the sour face of Professor Callum glared +at them. "Stop it at once, or I shall report you again."</p> + +<p>"Say, isn't he the limit!" exclaimed Andy, as they went inside. "I'd +like to do something else to him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, for cats' sake—quit," begged his brother. "I'm going to study."</p> + +<p>Then quiet reigned in the little room and the boys were more or less +industrious over their books.</p> + +<p>As Frank had predicted, Dr. Doolittle said nothing to them about the +complaint. In fact he did not appear at chapel the next morning, and +though Mr. Callum, who presided, glared at our heroes, and acted very +much as if he would have liked to censure them before the whole school, +it was an authority he dared not yet assume. But he took it out of them +in class, however, where he called on them more frequently in Latin +than on any of the other pupils. Fortunately Andy and Frank were well +prepared in anticipation of this and did not fail.</p> + +<p>"Humph! You are improving, considering the disgraceful manner in which +you behave," said the teacher grimly, as he dismissed the class.</p> + +<p>"That's all right. You didn't manage to keep us in," remarked Andy in a +low voice to his brother as he glanced at the teacher.</p> + +<p>"And we can get at the shell, and see if we can patch it up," said the +elder brother. "Come on, Jack and Ward. Let's have a look at it by +daylight."</p> + +<p>It was rather a sorry-looking rowing craft that was taken down +from the barn loft a little later. It needed many repairs. Some +of the outriggers were bent and one was broken. But the boys were +enthusiastic, especially Andy and Frank, and they managed to infuse +some of their spirit into their companions.</p> + +<p>"We can fix it!" declared Frank. "All it needs is a few patches, and to +have the outriggers fixed. I wonder where the oars are?"</p> + +<p>"There used to be some overhead in the boathouse," said Bill Spalter. +"Maybe they're there yet."</p> + +<p>"Only two that are any good," reported Jack, after an investigation. +"We'll have to raise money for the others. And I'm broke."</p> + +<p>"Same here," added Ward ruefully, "though my allowance is due in about +three weeks."</p> + +<p>"I fancy we have a few cents left," spoke Frank. "We haven't used +up all our whale prize money yet," and they explained how they had +secured the funds.</p> + +<p>The next week was a busy one, for every moment they could spare from +their lessons our heroes and their chums were busy working over the old +shell. Two new oars had been purchased, Frank and Andy advancing the +money, and they also supplied enough to purchase material for repairs.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got a crew at last," remarked Frank one night, when the +four boys were gathered in the room of the Racer boys.</p> + +<p>"But we don't know what kind it is," said Jack. "We ought to go for a +trial spin."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the shell is ready for the water now," spoke Andy. "How about a +trial to-morrow afternoon, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I can't go then, but I can the next day. I have a date for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Out at Dailsburg, I'll wager," exclaimed his brother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've heard from dad about those bonds and he's going to try to +sell them. I want to get them and send them on. But the next day will +be time enough. I want to let Mrs. Morton know as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>They talked of racing and other matters, of the prospect of a match +with Waterside, and whether or not a football team could be organized +with the raw material available. Then came the striking of the warning +hour that marked the close of the time when visits might be paid.</p> + +<p>"Time for us to skip, unless we want Thorny after us," said Jack. +"Heard anything more about his kick on the chaff?"</p> + +<p>"No, though he's been after Doc about it. You see he hasn't really any +good evidence against me, and he knows it," said Andy. "Just because I +had some chaff in my pocket doesn't say I did it."</p> + +<p>"That's right—any more than it proves that I'm a horse because I slept +in a stable and caught cold," put in Jack with a laugh. "Well, so-long, +fellows," and the callers were gone.</p> + +<p>A little additional patching was done to the shell the next day by +Andy, Ward and Jack. Frank went off to Dailsburg, promising to come +back early. But it was late when he got in, and he just escaped being +caught by a monitor.</p> + +<p>"What'd you do; stay to grub?" asked Andy, half complaining.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they asked me to."</p> + +<p>"Did you get the bonds?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'm going to mail them to dad. How's the shell?"</p> + +<p>"Ready for the race. Are you going to challenge Waterside?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, as soon as I see how you and I and Jack and Ward row in it. I +don't hear that any of the other fellows want to try, so I guess we'll +have to be the crew."</p> + +<p>"Sure thing. Say, the football fellows are keeping right on with their +practice."</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it. We may be able to get up an eleven after the rowing +stops. But it will cost a heap sight more to get the gridiron in shape +than it did to fix up the old shell. However, something may turn up. +Did anything happen while I was gone?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I had a little run-in with Luke Moss, Welter's crony. He +threatened to punch my head."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see him try it," said Frank half-savagely. "Well, I've got +to do some studying."</p> + +<p>Quite a crowd assembled at the river's edge the next day to see the +repaired shell put in the water. Word had gone round that there might +eventually be a race with Waterside and the boys were all anxious to +see Frank and his chums in the try-out.</p> + +<p>"Jove! It doesn't seem possible that old Riverview is really going to +be represented in athletics at last," remarked a senior.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it will be a hot representation if the Racer boys are in it," +sneered Welter, but no one paid much attention to him.</p> + +<p>"Look out how you get in her," advised Frank, when he had taken his +place in the frail shell. "Don't upset her."</p> + +<p>"It's so long since I rowed in one that I've almost forgotten how," +returned Jack.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it will come back to you," declared Andy.</p> + +<p>They were soon out in the stream, pulling well together, but slowly. +There was a cheer from the little group of schoolboys. Somewhat distant +from them stood two youths. They were Gerald Welter and his crony.</p> + +<p>"I suppose those Racer lads and the other two think they are the whole +cheese," sneered Luke.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Welter, "but I'll take the starch out of them soon. There +won't be any racing in that shell."</p> + +<p>"Why, what are you going to do?" Luke wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"You'll find out pretty soon," muttered the bully. "I'm going to get +even with that Frank Racer and his brother if it's the last thing I do. +You'll see."</p> + +<p>Then the two unpopular lads walked off while the other students trailed +along the river bank, following the shell.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE CHALLENGE</p> + + +<p>"Well, we didn't do so badly," remarked Frank, when the oarsmen had +returned to the float, and had carefully lifted out the shell.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it might have been worse," admitted his brother.</p> + +<p>"We didn't make very fast time," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"And we didn't try for it," said Frank quickly. "We want to get so we +pull a good stroke together, and then we can hit up the pace."</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," said Ward quietly, "and that is that my feet are +wet."</p> + +<p>"Isn't that leak stopped up yet?" asked Frank in disappointed tones. +"We'll have to put some more daub on it. Let's do it right away before +we forget it." They set to work over the patched-up shell, surrounded +by a curious and admiring group of their companions.</p> + +<p>"When are you going to challenge Waterside?" asked one lad.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's time enough to think of that," said Frank with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"And then I suppose you'll tackle Milton Academy," suggested another. +"They have a good crew in their four-oared shell."</p> + +<p>"Say, we've got to creep before we can row the other schools," replied +the elder Racer lad. "But if it's at all possible we'll challenge both +crews. There's no reason why Riverview shouldn't get back in the game +the same as she used to be."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk!" cried several.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd get a football eleven started," spoke Jake Wilson. "Our +boys are beginning to wake up."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'll get at that after the rowing season ends," said Andy. +"There's a good gridiron here, but it needs fixing up."</p> + +<p>"So do the grandstands and dressing rooms," spoke one lad, waving his +hands toward the dilapidated structures. "We can't accommodate a crowd +on those seats."</p> + +<p>Frank said nothing. The task of rejuvenating such a run-down school as +Riverside was appeared almost hopeless. But he was not the sort of a +lad to give up so easily.</p> + +<p>The small leak was soon stopped. There might be others, and at best +the shell was but a makeshift, but it was a start and that counts for a +good deal in many things besides racing.</p> + +<p>In the room of our heroes that night there was quite a lively session +of the "crew" as the four chums had come to be called. Rowing in all +its phases was discussed and Jack brought out several books on the +subject, written by well-known school and college authorities.</p> + +<p>"Are you really in earnest about challenging Waterside?" asked Ward, +during a pause in the conversation.</p> + +<p>"I surely am," answered Frank. "I don't see why we shouldn't. We can +soon get in trim, and, while our shell isn't as good as theirs, it's +the rowing that counts, not the boat so much."</p> + +<p>"I doubt if they'll race us," said Ward.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Andy wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they'll say we're not in their class."</p> + +<p>"And that means they're afraid!" exclaimed Frank. "I think they'll +race us all right. Why, for the last few years it's been like a close +corporation—only Waterside and Milton in it. They ought to be glad of +a change."</p> + +<p>There came a knock on the door, and the boys jumped, from habit, as +much as from anything else.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" asked Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>"Monitor Jones," was the answer. "The warning bell has rung some time +ago and I thought I'd let you know that Professor Callum is coming this +way on his rounds."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Jonesy!" exclaimed Frank. "Much obliged. Scoot fellows!" he +said. "No use in getting caught if we can help it. Jonesy is a brick. +I'm going to give him a suit I've no use for. I saw him shivering out +on the field to-day."</p> + +<p>Jones was a lad who was "working his way" through the school by doing +some of the necessary monitor work. He was a tall, ungainly lad, who +made few friends, but he had taken a liking to the Racer boys, and +several times he had warned them of impending visits of the professors. +The "crew" quickly dispersed and when Professor Callum, hoping to catch +the lads whom he associated with his discomfiture, tiptoed to their +room, they were in bed.</p> + +<p>"Fooled again" chuckled Andy, as the irate instructor passed on to his +own apartment.</p> + +<p>"And the doctor hasn't said a word about the basket of chaff yet," +added Frank. "I guess he won't."</p> + +<p>Busy days followed. The "crew" went out to practice, rowing at every +opportunity. The shell sprung another leak, but it was fixed, and now +the frail craft, on which the hopes of the school depended, was in +fairly good shape.</p> + +<p>As yet none of the teachers, or Dr. Doolittle, had taken any interest +in the prospective race. I say prospective, for no challenge had yet +been sent to Waterside. It is doubtful with the many worries he had +whether Dr. Doolittle knew anything about the repairing of the shell. +Certainly Mr. Callum did not care one way or the other.</p> + +<p>Gradually Frank and his chums improved their form, until one afternoon, +following a practice spin, one of the seniors said:</p> + +<p>"Say, you fellows are all right. I had a chance to time the Waterside +four the other day over a two-mile course, and I just clocked you. You +had five minutes the better of them."</p> + +<p>"No! Really!" exclaimed Frank in delight.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Of course I'm not certain that they were rowing their best, but +that's the time."</p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't hit up the pace to our own limit yet," declared Andy.</p> + +<p>"No indeed!" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>There was more practice, hard, grueling work, and at the end of another +week Frank announced that he was satisfied. By mutual consent he had +been made captain.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to write a challenge to Waterside to-night," he said.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried his chums.</p> + +<p>The challenge was couched in rather mild terms as befitted a school +that had been out of the running for several years. But a chance to +show what they could do was respectfully asked, and it was intimated +that an early reply would be appreciated.</p> + +<p>"There, now I'll go down to the post-office and drop this in," said +Frank, when it had been finished to the satisfaction of all.</p> + +<p>As he dropped in the box the missive, which meant so much to Riverview, +Frank was aware of two girls hastening up the street toward the +post-office. As they came under a gas lamp he recognized them as +Gertrude Morton and Grace Knox.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank—Mr. Racer!" exclaimed Gertrude. "I am so glad I met you!"</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter?" asked the lad, for he was aware of a note of +trouble in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Everything!" she exclaimed. "I just came to post a special delivery +letter to you. I wanted you to get it the first thing in the morning, +and the mail at Dailsburg is so slow. We have just received word from +Professor Callum that he has started proceedings to take our home away +from us unless his debt is paid at once! Oh, what shall we do?" and +Gertrude began crying on the shoulder of her chum.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">AN INSULTING REPLY</p> + + +<p>Frank hardly knew what to do. He was not in the habit of seeing girls +cry, never having had any sisters, and the sight of a girl in whom he +was more than ordinarily interested weeping bitterly was rather too +much for him.</p> + +<p>"Oh now! Now!" he exclaimed a bit awkwardly. "I wouldn't do that if I +were you, Gertrude."</p> + +<p>"But what can I do?" she asked. "And if I don't do something our home +will be taken away from us! Mother is heart-broken, and she couldn't +think of anything. I thought of you, and how you had the bonds, and I +was wondering if we couldn't sell them quickly, even at a sacrifice, +and get some money with which to pay Professor Callum."</p> + +<p>"I—I just wish I had him here!" exclaimed Grace Knox. "I—I'd +<i>say</i> something to him!" and she stamped her small foot on the +pavement.</p> + +<p>Frank was thinking quickly. Clearly the emergency called for some +action, but what he did not know. Matters seemed to be coming to a +crisis.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Old Thorny is forcing things to get even with me, because he +knows I am interested in the Mortons," thought Frank. "Well, if he +wants to fight this way, making war on women and girls, I'm willing. +Let's see, what can I do?"</p> + +<p>"I—I hope you don't think it wrong of me to come to mail a letter to +you at night," said Gertrude, looking up through her tears. "Mamma +wrote it, and sent me to our post-office with it. Then I found I had +missed the mail, so I called up Grace and she and I took the next +trolley for Riverview."</p> + +<p>"It was the right thing to do," declared Frank. "I'm glad you did it. I +know what I'll do, I'll wire dad at once. It isn't so late but what I +can reach him, and he'll advise us what to do."</p> + +<p>"It seems very late," said Grace, for though it was but a little after +eight o'clock, people retired earlier in the country town than in the +city.</p> + +<p>"Oh, New York is just waking up," replied the lad. "My father and +mother are probably wondering what they shall do to spend the evening. +Come on down this street. The telegraph office is there, and on the way +you can give me the particulars."</p> + +<p>"There aren't many to give," replied Gertrude as she and her chum +followed the Racer lad. "We received notice from James Martin, a +lawyer, to-night that a suit to recover a certain sum had been started +against us by Mr. Callum. The lawyer said that unless we paid, judgment +would be obtained against us, and that he would at once proceed to +collect by levying on our house, whatever that means. He said we would +be without a home, and winter is coming on. Oh, isn't it terrible!"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," said Frank soothingly. "Even if he was successful in +getting a judgment it would take a long while to put you out of your +home. But he's not going to do it. Here is the telegraph office. Now to +rush a wire to dad."</p> + +<p>The agent in the little office was rather surprised to see two pretty +girls and a tall lad, all very much excited, enter his place. But he +was used to all sorts of queer experiences, so he made no comments and +was soon clicking off the message that Frank wrote out. In brief it +told what had happened and asked for advice.</p> + +<p>"It will probably be half an hour before we can expect an answer," said +Frank, "perhaps longer. Suppose we go to a moving picture show? There's +a nice respectable one around the corner."</p> + +<p>"But won't you be staying away from school too long?" asked Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"No, I guess I can make it," replied the lad, though, truth to tell, he +was a bit anxious over the outcome. Still he was not going to admit it.</p> + +<p>There were several interesting views in the little theatre and the +girls and their escort enjoyed them very much. One showed the eight- +and four-oared shells of Waterside Hall rowing on the river.</p> + +<p>"Oh, aren't they just splendid!" exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear about our crew?" asked Frank, a bit put out at the +interest manifested in a rival school.</p> + +<p>"No. Have you one?" asked Gertrude, and when Frank told of sending the +challenge, she cried: "Oh, fine! We'll come to see the race; won't we, +Grace?"</p> + +<p>"I only hope they accept it," murmured Frank, while Gertrude's pretty +chum nodded.</p> + +<p>Shortly after that they hurried around to the telegraph office, and +there found awaiting them a reply from Mr. Racer.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"Get Robert Bolton, a lawyer of Marsden, on the telephone," the +message said, "and have him take charge of the case for me. He has +handled some of my affairs before. Explain circumstances and ask him +to get as long a delay as possible. Have been unable to do anything +with bonds yet, but expect to soon."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Oh, perhaps he can't sell the bonds!" exclaimed Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"Well, if he can't, I know who can!" said Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked the girl.</p> + +<p>"I—er—that is—I can find someone," he answered hesitatingly. He had +referred to himself and his brother, but he did not want Gertrude to +know that. "Now let's call up this lawyer," he said.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Mr. Bolton was at home, and as soon as the name of Mr. +Racer was mentioned he at once consented to take charge of the case.</p> + +<p>Frank arranged to have him call on Mrs. Morton in the morning, and then +sent another telegram to his father advising the silk merchant of what +had been done.</p> + +<p>"And be sure and sell those bonds, dad," was the way Frank ended up his +message. Mr. Racer laughed when he read it.</p> + +<p>"I guess our boy is getting quite interested in a certain party," he +remarked to his wife.</p> + +<p>"Goodness! He's too young!" exclaimed Frank's mother.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess this is all that can be done to-night," remarked Frank, +as he came out of the telegraph office with the two girls. "Mr. Bolton +will call on your mother to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Then we had better get home and tell her," spoke Gertrude. "Come, +Grace."</p> + +<p>"Wait. I'm not going to let you go alone!" exclaimed Frank. "We'll get +the next car for Dailsburg."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we couldn't think of letting you go with us!" objected Gertrude.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because you will get back to school so late, and——"</p> + +<p>"We're not a bit afraid," protested Grace.</p> + +<p>"But I'm coming just the same," declared Frank calmly. "I'll manage +to get back to school somehow. I don't suppose Professor Callum is in +Dailsburg; is he?" and he laughed.</p> + +<p>"No, I fancy he is done paying us visits," replied Gertrude. "But I +wish you wouldn't come."</p> + +<p>"Really?" asked the lad.</p> + +<p>Gertrude did not answer and as the Dailsburg car came along just then +they all got aboard. A quick trip was made, and soon Frank was on his +way back to school.</p> + +<p>Truth to tell, he was a little nervous about being caught, and, as +it was, he nearly suffered that fate. He saw a prowling monitor, but +managed to elude him, and got in through a basement door that Flopps, +the gardener, sometimes obligingly left open.</p> + +<p>But Frank was no sooner in bed, having given a hasty account of his +adventures to Andy than there came a summons on the door. It appeared +that a number of boys had run the guard that night, and a general +"round-up" was in progress. Fortunately our heroes had "a clean slate," +to the obvious disappointment of Mr. Callum, who had hoped to catch +them.</p> + +<p>Frank received a note from Gertrude the next day stating that the +court proceedings had been started, but that Mr. Bolton had secured an +adjournment.</p> + +<p>"So there is no immediate danger," the girl wrote. "My mother and I +cannot thank you enough for what you and your father have done for us."</p> + +<p>Frank felt a warm glow about the region of his heart, and he carefully +put the letter away among some cherished possessions, including an old +baseball catching glove.</p> + +<p>"Well, how soon do you think Waterside will answer?" asked Jack +Sanderson a few days later, when, as yet, no reply had been received to +the challenge.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it can't be long now," answered Frank, as he helped to lift the +shell into the water. "We ought to hear to-day or to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Before the crew could row off a messenger from the school came hurrying +down to the river bank. In his hand he held a letter.</p> + +<p>"This just came!" he panted. "Special delivery. It's for Frank Racer."</p> + +<p>"Let's have it!" cried the young captain. "Maybe it's from dad."</p> + +<p>Hurriedly he read the few lines. His face went white and then flushed a +dull red.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the insults!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" chorused his companions.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he said. "It's the reply of Waterside to our challenge for a +rowing race."</p> + +<p>His brother and his chums read this:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"Replying to your favor of recent date in regard to our crew rowing +you in a four-oared shell race we beg to decline. Riverview isn't +in our class, and we don't wish to get the name of rowing with an +inferior school. You have no crew worthy of the name, and no decent +shell. We should be the laughing stock of the river if we entered into +a race with a one-horse school. There's nothing doing.</p> + +<p class="ph3">"Yours,<br> +"<span class="smcap">Athletic Committee</span>."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Well, wouldn't that bend your outriggers!" cried Andy, while Frank +crumpled up the paper in his hand and ground it under his heel.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">A SCHOOL BATTLE</p> + + +<p>"Sure that isn't a fake?"</p> + +<p>"Did those fellows really write that?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe they're only trying to have some fun with us."</p> + +<p>These were some of the expressions, indignant and otherwise, that +greeted the reading of the insulting reply to the challenge Frank had +sent.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's no doubt but what it's genuine," said the young captain of +the crew. "I didn't quite think it of those fellows, though."</p> + +<p>"Did you suspect that they might not give us a race?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"I was a little afraid of it," answered Frank. "You see, we have been +out of it so long that really they don't know just how to place us. +In a way I suppose we can't blame them. It's just as if we were a +first-class team and some little kids' school should challenge us."</p> + +<p>"But we're not a 'kids'' school!" objected Ward. "We're in the same +grade with Waterside and Milton Academy."</p> + +<p>"Of course, and I thought the Waterside lads would have enough sporting +blood to see this. But evidently they don't," and Frank shrugged his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I guess all our work on it won't amount to anything," spoke Andy +ruefully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we may get a race with some crew yet," said Frank cheerfully. +"Perhaps Milton Academy will take us on."</p> + +<p>"They're worse snobs than the lads of Waterside," declared Ward.</p> + +<p>Though Frank tried to assume a cheerful air it was evident that he was +much hurt. He and his brother and chums had worked hard to evolve a +crew out of almost nothing. They had succeeded and now their efforts +were scorned.</p> + +<p>Incidentally Frank learned that the refusal of the athletic committee +of Waterside to consent to a match was not upheld by all the pupils of +the influential school. The crew of the freshmen shell in particular +were in favor of having the 'varsity four take on the one from +Riverview.</p> + +<p>"I don't see what harm it would do," said Tom Crawford, the lad whom +Frank had saved. "I think some of the boys from Riverview are fine +fellows, especially the Racer brothers. Look what they did for me."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Walter Sands, a member of the freshmen crew. +"If they'd row with our four shell they could have a race."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose anything but the 'varsity would satisfy them," said +Tom. "Besides, though we don't agree with the committee, we can't go +against them, and have a rupture in our own school. It wouldn't look +well, no matter how we felt."</p> + +<p>So, as far as Waterside was concerned the matter was dropped and the +'varsity crew went on with its preparations for the final race with +Milton Academy—the race that was to decide the championship. But a +bitter feeling rankled in the hearts of the lads from Riverview.</p> + +<p>Frank and his chums still went out to practice in the days that +followed, but it was with little ambition that they sculled up and down +the river. Occasionally they had a glimpse of the Waterside 'varsity +four or eight, but they kept at a distance.</p> + +<p>"No use getting into a scrap," explained the young captain.</p> + +<p>Affairs at Riverview were going on much the same for our heroes, their +chums and the other pupils. Dr. Doolittle was more absent-minded than +ever and seemed laboring under a great strain. The boys felt sorry for +him. Professor Callum was still unpleasant, and lost no opportunity of +inflicting his wrath on Frank or Andy.</p> + +<p>It happened that a noted lecturer, who had traveled in many lands, had +returned with a series of moving pictures. He was billed to give an +entertainment in Marsden, a large town about midway between Riverview +and Waterside.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why we couldn't get up a crowd and take that in," said +Frank to Andy one afternoon, as he read the posters.</p> + +<p>"It ought to be interesting and instructive," said Andy. "Maybe if we +bring that last fact to the attention of Dr. Doolittle he might let a +lot of us go and stay out after hours. I've a good notion to ask him."</p> + +<p>"We will!" exclaimed Frank. "Things have been slow here lately. We'll +have to wake 'em up."</p> + +<p>The good doctor offered no objections when Frank spoke of the matter +and mentioned the fact that it would be in line with some of their +studies.</p> + +<p>"Go, by all means," said the head of the school, "as many of you as +care to."</p> + +<p>As might have been expected Professor Callum made strenuous objection +to the little excursion.</p> + +<p>"Such things should not be allowed!" he exclaimed. "I know those boys +will get into mischief. They should be in bed at night, not going to +moving picture shows."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," said the doctor with a sigh, "I think it will do them +good. Let them go. Hereafter they may not have many opportunities of +going anywhere from Riverview."</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter?" asked the professor quickly, struck by +something in the president's voice.</p> + +<p>"I mean that I can't run the school much longer unless I get more +money. We may have to close soon after the Christmas holidays," and +shaking his venerable head Dr. Doolittle shut himself up in his study.</p> + +<p>Frank Racer made up a good-sized crowd to go to the lecture at Marsden. +The boys went on trolley cars and had much fun. It was quite an event +for them, and Frank and Andy, who had really been the moving spirits, +were cheered again and again.</p> + +<p>As the crowd of Riverview boys were piling into the hall Jack Sanderson +pulled Frank by the sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Look over there," he said.</p> + +<p>"What's up?"</p> + +<p>"There's a whole raft of fellows from Waterside Hall."</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it? This is a free country. I suppose they want to hear +the lecture as much as we do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was only thinking there might be trouble."</p> + +<p>"It won't be of my making. Go on in and sit down."</p> + +<p>It happened that the students from the rival schools sat on opposite +sides of the large hall, well apart, so there was not even an exchange +of words in the time that elapsed before the lecture began. After it +was started it proved of such interest that it is doubtful if any +student gave thought to the unpleasant incident of the rowing challenge +and its reply. The speaker, in fancy, took his hearers into many +strange lands and showed pictures of life there.</p> + +<p>As the crowd filed out, as might have been expected there was a +mingling of the students from the two schools. At first the lads, some +of whom knew each other, passed friendly greetings, and Frank, who had +feared there might be unpleasantness, began to feel reassured.</p> + +<p>The lads drifted out into a large square in front of the building where +the lecture had been given. It was not very late and there was no +special reason for hurrying back. There were some good-natured chaffing +on both sides, some laughter and inquiries after more or less popular +or unpopular instructors. Then, like a flash from a clear sky, someone +in the crowd of Waterside lads called out mockingly:</p> + +<p>"There are the dubs who think they can row!"</p> + +<p>He probably did not refer to Frank and their chums in particular, but +meant to include the whole school. For a moment there was a silence, +and then Jack Sanderson sang out:</p> + +<p>"Yes, and there are the dubs who don't know how to answer a challenge +in a gentlemanly way!"</p> + +<p>It was a direct call-down for the athletic committee, members of which +were present.</p> + +<p>Once more a silence and then there burst out many remarks and calls +from both sides, each one intended to be insulting.</p> + +<p>"Look at the aristocrats who row in kid gloves!" yelled a Riverview lad.</p> + +<p>"How did you farmers ever get time enough away from picking the +hayseeds out of your hair to come to town?" some Waterside wit wanted +to know.</p> + +<p>"Those are the fellows who sleep in silk pajamas!" was a Riverview +retort.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Down there at Riverview they haven't any blankets, so they sleep +in their clothes!" sneered a lad who evidently knew of the poverty of +the school of our heroes.</p> + +<p>The remarks were getting more and more personal. The tempers of the +lads on each side were rising. In vain did Frank, Andy and some of +the cooler-headed boys from Riverview go about trying to get their +companions to leave, or keep quiet. Some students from Waterside Hall +did likewise with their fellows, but it was useless. The students were +in fighting mood now.</p> + +<p>"You're afraid to row us!" taunted one Riverview lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're not afraid to fight you!" came the quick retort.</p> + +<p>That was the knocking of the chip from the shoulder, and in an instant +several lads had come to a fistic clash. Then as at the drop of the +hat, on every side there was a mêlée. Blows were given and taken, +landing with dull thuds. There were cries of pain and anger.</p> + +<p>"Riverview forever!" was the slogan. "Riverview to the bat!"</p> + +<p>"Give 'em all they want, Waterside!" came the angry shout. "Knock 'em +down and drag 'em out!"</p> + +<p>"Andy, where are you?" yelled Frank.</p> + +<p>"Right here!"</p> + +<p>"Keep close to me, and we'll get out of this. It may be serious."</p> + +<p>"What? Run? I will not! Wow! Someone hit me then, and I'm going to get +back at him. It was that big chap there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll soak you again!" answered the big fellow, aiming a blow +at Andy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no you won't!" exclaimed Frank, and he promptly knocked down his +brother's assailant.</p> + +<p>The row was on in earnest now, and Frank and Andy, as well as Jack and +Ward, found that they had their hands full. It was quite dark, so one +could hardly see whether he was attacking friend or foe. But the fight +went on, growing more and more fierce. Several lads were knocked down +and trampled upon, and more than one had a bloody nose or a discolored +eye. The yells and shouts could be heard all over town.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Andy?" panted Frank, who had managed to keep at the side +of his brother.</p> + +<p>"No, only I got a couple of good pokes. I gave 'em back, though."</p> + +<p>"Let's try and work out of this. The police may come at any moment, and +I don't want any of our friends to be locked up."</p> + +<p>But to get out of that mad, seething, surging crowd was easier said +than done. They were hemmed in and had to fight to keep their footing.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, above the excited cries and the shouts of many bystanders for +the police, was heard the ringing of the fire bell. Then the rumble and +whistle of the approaching engines were audible. For a moment there +came a lull in the desperate battle, but only for a moment. Then it was +resumed again. Not for a little thing like a fire would the students +stop fighting.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED</p> + + +<p>"Riverview lads this way!"</p> + +<p>"Over here, Waterside!"</p> + +<p>"Ready for a rush!"</p> + +<p>"Sweep 'em off their feet!"</p> + +<p>These were the rallying cries that followed the momentary lull in the +fighting. The students, who had their second wind, were preparing for +a rush that might have had serious results, when suddenly there came +a deluge of water. A spray of white shot into the air amid a puffing +sound and descended in a drenching shower on the fighting crowd.</p> + +<p>"Gee! it's raining!"</p> + +<p>"Wow! I'm soaked!"</p> + +<p>"It's the fire engines! They're turning the hose on us!"</p> + +<p>These yells were substituted for the battle cries. And it was true, two +powerful fire engines were squirting heavy streams on the belligerents.</p> + +<p>It was the most effective measure that could have been taken. The chief +of police, summoned by spectators of the big fight, and knowing that +with his few men he could not cope with hundreds of excited students, +had thought of the fire apparatus.</p> + +<p>"It will disperse them quicker than anything else, and I won't have to +disgrace them by making any arrests. Turn on plenty of water," said the +chief.</p> + +<p>And he had been obeyed. From two sides, taking them in front and at the +rear, the engines played until gasping, choking, struggling to maintain +their footing under the force of the streams, seeking to find a dry +place, the fighting students turned and ran for cover.</p> + +<p>"Riverview this way!" shouted Frank. "To the trolleys!"</p> + +<p>"Over here, Waterside!" came the answering call.</p> + +<p>"I guess they've had enough of river and water to-night," chuckled the +chief of police. "My! that was hot while it lasted! What was it all +about?" he asked of some of the bystanders who had been to the lecture +and had seen the start of the row.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it seems that Riverview challenged Waterside to a rowing race, and +the Waterside lads sent back an insulting answer."</p> + +<p>"Are they afraid to row the Riverview crowd?" asked the chief.</p> + +<p>"It looks so," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"It must be," said another man. "But I don't see what they're afraid +of. Riverview hasn't much of a crew of late years."</p> + +<p>"Still Waterside seems afraid," came the retort.</p> + +<p>Thus was sown a little seed that was destined to bear much fruit and +bring about a closer relation of the two schools.</p> + +<p>The talk of the chief and his friends was heard in the crowd and was +repeated. From mouth to mouth the news flew:</p> + +<p>"Waterside was afraid to row Riverview and that started the fight." +This rumor spread, gaining at each telling until it was heard by the +retreating lads from the school that had insulted our heroes' crew.</p> + +<p>"Afraid of those dubs?" cried one indignant and dripping Waterside lad. +"Not on your life!"</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you row them?" asked someone.</p> + +<p>"They're not in our class."</p> + +<p>"You're afraid, I guess."</p> + +<p>"We are not."</p> + +<p>"Then give them a race. That's the best way to prove it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what do you know about it, anyhow?" and with this rather +ungracious retort the school lad hurried away to join his fellows.</p> + +<p>"Humph! I know enough to know when some people aren't getting a square +deal," said the man. "But Marsden certainly had her share of excitement +to-night. I guess I'll go to bed."</p> + +<p>While the lads from Waterside were making their way to their +meeting-place, which they had agreed upon when leaving the trolleys +to go to the lecture, the boys from the rival school were also +congregating in readiness for going back to their dormitories. In +consequence there was no further clash between the factions, for which +Frank and Andy were glad.</p> + +<p>"Say, what is this bunch, anyhow?" asked the conductor, as the wet and +dripping boys piled aboard his car. "Are you from some swimming school?"</p> + +<p>"No, we've just been showing the lads from Waterside how to behave," +spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, climb aboard, then," said the conductor. "But don't get any more +water in the car than you can help."</p> + +<p>It was a wet and weary crowd of students that alighted at Riverview +Hall a little later. Some were bruised from the conflict with their +rivals, many had fallen down and received cuts, while others were +shivering from their damp and soaked clothes. It was little consolation +to know that Waterside Hall students were in the same condition.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear how one man was rigging a fellow from Waterside about +them being afraid to row us?" asked Andy of Frank, as they sat +shivering in a corner of the car.</p> + +<p>"I sure did, but I don't think it will amount to much."</p> + +<p>"Not unless we can scare those fellows into giving us a race. How's +your nose?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it hurts. How's your leg?"</p> + +<p>"I can walk on it, but that's about all. I'll be dead lame to-morrow. +Some fellow gave me a fierce kick."</p> + +<p>Then followed an exchange of experiences, in which the lads told how +they had been hurt and how they had given good returns in exchange.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, when they reached the school, Professor Callum was in Dr. +Doolittle's room, consulting him, and so the unpopular instructor did +not see the bedraggled group of students arrive. They hurried to their +apartments and got into dry clothes.</p> + +<p>Of course the next day the authorities at Riverview heard about the +riot. But as there were no individual complaints, and as no special +student's name was mentioned, no action was taken.</p> + +<p>Dr. Doolittle contented himself with cautioning the boys about getting +into conflicts with students from other schools. To this Professor +Callum could not help adding a word. He said he thought he would be +able to pick out the ring-leaders, and he warned them that unless they +mended their ways they would be expelled.</p> + +<p>"He means us," said Andy to Frank, as they filed out of the chapel.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the odds?" asked the older lad. "He daren't make any open +remarks." So they let it go at that.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile there was much disturbance at Waterside. The lad who had been +taunted by the man in the crowd told his story, and there were storms +of protest at the implied accusation.</p> + +<p>"We're not afraid to row them!" declared the captain of the four.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you do it?" Tom Crawford wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"They're not in our class."</p> + +<p>"That's a poor excuse. If you can beat them do it good and proper. Then +they won't want another race. Row 'em, is what I say."</p> + +<p>"Same here!" came from a number of others, until the 'varsity four, for +very shame's sake, was obliged to agree.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll accept their challenge," declared the captain of the four, +after a hot discussion several days following the riot. "We'll give 'em +a race, but it will be a walkover for us."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure," said Tom Crawford, who had watched the improvised +crew of Riverview on the river.</p> + +<p>The surprise of Frank and his chums may be imagined when, a couple of +days later, they received a communication from Waterside. It was brief, +but to the point.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"If you still wish to enter into a race with us," the letter said, "we +will accept your challenge. Our committee will meet with one from your +school to arrange details."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Well, wouldn't that jiggle your oars!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"It puts 'em just where we want 'em, though," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess we'll have a race after all," said Frank. "That +free-for-all fight wasn't so bad as it seemed."</p> + +<p>Soon the news of the coming race had spread all over Riverview Hall.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">PROFESSOR CALLUM SCORES</p> + + +<p>There was now some practicable object on the part of the crew of the +Riverview Hall four, as Frank and his chums had come to be called. +The date for the race had not been definitely fixed, but it could not +take place inside of two weeks, as Waterside was to row Milton for the +closing race of the season.</p> + +<p>"And if Waterside wins, which means that they will be the champions of +the river, and if we beat Waterside," said Andy, "it means that we'll +be the champions! Think of that!"</p> + +<p>"Wake up, you're dreaming!" said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, turn over, you're on your back," added Ward.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's possible," declared Frank, "though I don't hope for any +such luck."</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to beat 'em?" asked Andy quickly.</p> + +<p>"Sure, but I'm afraid we can't."</p> + +<p>"That's treason!" declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, we can train, for one thing," said Ward, "and I'm in favor of +it. We can be careful of what we eat, and from now on we ought to do +some other practice work besides rowing. I'm in for any kind of gym +work, or cross-country running to improve our wind."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you!" cried Andy, and the rest agreed.</p> + +<p>"We ought to have a coach," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we could get old Wallace," said Ward eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Who's old Wallace?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder you ask, even though you've been here some weeks," said +Ward. "He's a fellow who's taking a post-graduate course and he's such +a grind that no one except the professors ever sees him. He used to be +an oarsman and I understand he knows a lot about the game."</p> + +<p>"The very thing—if we can get him!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>"I'll try," volunteered Ward. "I've done some favors for him, and he +and I are quite friendly."</p> + +<p>It was agreed that Ward should try, and this gave the crew something +else to talk about. They adopted a schedule for a training table, for +they all knew the value of proper food and the need of abstaining from +that which was harmful. They would have to be their own masters, as +there was no such thing as a training table at Riverview.</p> + +<p>Frank also suggested that it would be a good plan to row over the +racing course occasionally, and see what sort of time they could make.</p> + +<p>"We'll have some of the fellows clock us," Jack said, "and we can get a +line on what we can do. I know we've got to hit up the stroke if we're +to beat Waterside, but we're capable of it."</p> + +<p>"Sure!" agreed Andy with much enthusiasm. "We'll do those fellows easy. +Say, I've thought up another joke to play."</p> + +<p>"Not on your life!" cried the others in a chorus, while Frank added:</p> + +<p>"If I catch you trying any of your tricks, brother mine, while this +race is in prospect I'll pack you back home so quick that your hair +will curl."</p> + +<p>"Well, you needn't eat me up," complained Andy; but it was noticed that +he did not mention jokes again for some time.</p> + +<p>To the surprise and delight of the lads Ed Wallace agreed to coach +them, though he said he had been out of the game so long that he was +quite rusty. But when the crew went out in the shell, and listened to +his caustic, but well-meant criticisms, it was seen that he knew his +business.</p> + +<p>"He'll put some starch into us," declared Frank, and the post-graduate +student certainly did.</p> + +<p>After he had given them some instructions on successive days they had +marked off a three-mile course—the length of the interscholastic race. +The Riverview lads rowed over this several times.</p> + +<p>At first it was discouraging, as they could not come anywhere near +equaling the record they knew had been made by Waterside. But they did +not give up.</p> + +<p>"There are only two things to do," Wallace told them. "You must +increase the number of strokes and put more power in them. Then you'll +win."</p> + +<p>It sounded easy to say, but it was hard to do, as they seemed already +to be pulling to the limit of their strength and endurance. But they +found that they could do better, and soon, though muscles, wind and +heart made a trio of protests, they knew they were coming nearer the +time made by their rivals.</p> + +<p>"I think you'll do," said Wallace at length. "Of course I don't mean +to say you're as fast as those fellows, but you're in their class, and +I think, in the time left, you can come up to them. I believe you can +beat them, barring accidents."</p> + +<p>"What, do you mean by accidents?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know our shell isn't very good. The outriggers are old and +two of the oars are split. Something may break."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll strengthen things!" exclaimed Frank, and for several +nights after that he and his chums worked over the shell. They finally +decided that they could do no more, and that it would have to serve.</p> + +<p>"But if we win this race, we'll have a new shell next year!" declared +Frank determinedly.</p> + +<p>The time for the race was drawing near. In a week Waterside was to row +Milton, and then, after a few days' rest, would take on Riverview. +This would mark the closing of the season on the river. Incidentally +our heroes and their chums learned that the race with themselves was +regarded more or less as a joke.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll show 'em that it isn't!" declared Andy hotly. "I'm going +to beat 'em now, or bust an oar."</p> + +<p>"Don't do that!" cried Frank quickly. "We haven't any oars to spare. +Just beat 'em."</p> + +<p>"We will!" and his brother clapped him on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>It was with no little satisfaction that the lads of Riverview heard of +the defeat of Milton Academy by Waterside Hall.</p> + +<p>"That's just what we want," declared the young captain. "It gives us a +clear look-in for the championship. If Milton had won we'd have had to +row them after we cleaned up Waterside."</p> + +<p>"You're not at all confident," said Jack with a laugh.</p> + +<p>All the time they could spare from their lessons the crew spent on +the river. Sometimes they could only snatch a half hour, for with the +advancement of the term studies became harder, and Mr. Callum added +to the troubles of our friends, for he seemed to watch his chance for +making it unpleasant for Frank or Andy and often kept them in after +class for some real or fancied failing.</p> + +<p>"But I'm not going to kick," said Frank grimly. "That's just what he's +laying for. He wants to get a hold on us because we're helping Mrs. +Morton and her daughter."</p> + +<p>"Heard anything about that case lately?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad's working on it. I suppose Lawyer Bolton is attending to his +end of it. It will come out right, I hope."</p> + +<p>It was the afternoon before the race with Waterside. Every last thing +had been done, the final practice had been held, and the boys of +Riverview were in good trim. They were fit to row for the championship.</p> + +<p>"And I think you'll get it, too," declared Coach Wallace. "Go to bed +early to-night, have a good sleep, take care of yourselves, and we'll +have a race worth seeing to-morrow even if we have an old shell."</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" cried a little crowd that had gathered at the +boathouse. It had been repaired temporarily and was habitable. It was +curious to see the sudden interest in athletics since the Racer boys +had revived racing.</p> + +<p>The crew, headed by Frank, was walking up to the dining hall, for it +was nearly time for supper. A telegraph messenger was approaching at a +slow walk, holding a message in one hand and in the other a dime novel +which he was devouring in the half light.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Where you going?" called someone.</p> + +<p>The lad looked up with a start. Probably seven redskins had just +"bitten the dust."</p> + +<p>"I've got a message here for Mr. Frank Racer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Hand it over," answered our hero. "I guess it's from dad," he went on +to Andy.</p> + +<p>Quickly he tore the envelope open. Then he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"It's from Gertrude," he said to his brother in a low voice. "Old +Thorny has scored one on us. He's brought suit, has secured judgment, +and a deputy sheriff is in possession of their house! I've got to go at +once!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">A MEAN TRICK</p> + + +<p>"You can't go, Frank!" exclaimed Andy, after a moment's thought.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because we're going to race Waterside to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I know it, but this is to-night. I've got lots of time."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have, but you heard what Wallace said. He wants us to get +a good sleep, and be fresh for to-morrow. If you go chasing over to +Dailsburg you won't get home until late and you'll be all broken up. +Besides you may get in trouble with the deputy sheriff in possession, +and have a row. Or you may get caught coming in late and be suspended. +It's too risky."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I'm going," said Frank determinedly. "I promised to help +them and I'm going to keep my word."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," half grumbled Andy, "but what's the matter with +that lawyer, Mr. Bolton? I thought he was going to see to this."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has forgotten it, or Thorny's lawyer may have played a +sharp trick. Anyhow, I'm going to see what I can do."</p> + +<p>"But if you're caught?"</p> + +<p>"I won't be—don't worry."</p> + +<p>"I say, what's up?" asked Jack, seeing that something was exciting the +Racer brothers.</p> + +<p>"I've got to go out of town on a little business," explained Frank +quickly. "Oh, I'll be back in time to row the race," he added, as he +saw looks of apprehension come over the faces of Jack and Ward.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you have to—you have to, that's all, I suppose," commented +Jack. "But take care of yourself—and get back soon."</p> + +<p>Frank promised, and then started off to catch the first trolley car for +Dailsburg.</p> + +<p>"If Old Thorny comes to our room while I'm out, rig up some sort of a +dummy in my bed," Frank instructed his brother. "Then you snore double, +and if he does come in, tell him I'm not feeling well—which is the +truth. If he sees a hump in the bed he'll think it's me."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he'll be especially on the lookout to-night?" asked Ward.</p> + +<p>"I believe he'd do anything to prevent me rowing in the race," answered +Frank grimly. "Well, so long, fellows."</p> + +<p>He hurried off, and his chums walked back to the school buildings +discussing the coming race.</p> + +<p>"Jove! I hope Frank gets back in time, and isn't caught!" exclaimed +Andy a bit apprehensively. "He's taking chances—and all for a girl. +Well—I guess I'd do the same if I had to."</p> + +<p>Frank's first act, on reaching Dailsburg, was to go to a telephone and +hold a conversation with Mr. Bolton, the lawyer his father had engaged. +It was news to Mr. Bolton to learn that he had been outwitted.</p> + +<p>"Go right to the Morton house," he directed Frank, "and stay until I +come. Tell the widow and her daughter that I will soon have matters +straightened out. I'll do it if I have to get a writ from the Supreme +Court justice by waking him out of bed. Callum's lawyer has been up to +some sharp practice."</p> + +<p>The elder Racer lad found Mrs. Morton and Gertrude in a very nervous +state when he arrived. In the parlor sat a burly representative of the +sheriff's office. He was smoking and sat in one chair with his feet on +another.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know how to behave?" asked Frank indignantly. "This isn't +a stable," and he knocked the cigar from the man's lips with a folded +newspaper.</p> + +<p>"Here! What are you up to?" yelled the fellow. "I'll have you in jail +for that. I represent the law!"</p> + +<p>"Then I'm sorry for the law," was Frank's rejoinder. "You stop smoking +or I'll notify the sheriff of your conduct. I don't believe he'd stand +for that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mind your own business!" grumbled the deputy. But he did not +light another cigar, and he took his feet from the chair.</p> + +<p>Frank quickly told Mrs. Morton of the measures he had taken, and +assured her that the fellow would soon have to leave.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know what we would ever do if it wasn't for you, Frank!" +exclaimed Gertrude, blushing as she used his name. "I was desperate +when that horrid man came in, and I could only think of one thing to +do—notify you."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you did," he said heartily.</p> + +<p>"And to-morrow is the day of the race," the girl went on. "I do hope +this won't make you lose it! Grace and I are coming to see you win!"</p> + +<p>"Then we surely will!" the lad exclaimed.</p> + +<p>With Mrs. Morton they sat talking in the kitchen to be farther away +from the obnoxious deputy. Two hours passed and there came a ring at +the bell. It was Lawyer Bolton and he had succeeded in getting an order +from the justice which amounted to a stay in the proceedings. The +deputy was ordered to withdraw.</p> + +<p>"How do I know this is genuine?" asked the fellow with a sneer, when +the paper had been served on him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll find it's proper, my man," said Mr. Bolton. "If you like +you can call up the sheriff, I have communicated with him. At any rate +the house isn't going to be moved. Now you clear out!"</p> + +<p>Grumblingly, and with a malevolent look at Frank, the fellow went out.</p> + +<p>"This was partly my fault," apologized Mr. Bolton. "I should have been +prepared for sharp practice on the part of Callum's representative, +but I did not dream he would dare do this. He took advantage of a +technicality in the law to get this writ of possession. But it is +vacated now, and he can't do anything more until the case comes up for +a hearing."</p> + +<p>"And then what will happen?" asked Mrs. Morton.</p> + +<p>"By that time my father will have the bonds sold and you can pay +Professor Callum," said Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>There was some further talk and Mr. Bolton left. Then, as it was +getting late and Frank did not want to miss getting a trolley car back +to school, he took his leave.</p> + +<p>"And you must be sure to win!" Gertrude whispered to him.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And you must be sure to be there."</p> + +<p>"I will!"</p> + +<p>Frank looked carefully about as he approached the campus of Riverview +school. As he came near the place where the racing shell was kept he +saw a light in the boathouse.</p> + +<p>"That's queer," he mused, coming to a halt. "It's too late for any of +the fellows to be in there. I wonder who it can be? It won't do any +harm to take a look."</p> + +<p>Cautiously he approached the building and peered in through a window. +The sight he saw almost caused him to cry out in anger and amazement.</p> + +<p>For there, standing over the shell, was Gerald Welter, the school +bully. He had a lantern, and by the light of it Frank saw the gleam of +a knife in his hand. As Frank looked he saw Gerald prepare to rip up +the bottom of the shell, which act would utterly ruin it.</p> + +<p>"The scoundrel!" murmured Frank.</p> + +<p>The next instant the knife descended, its sharp point going clear +through the frail shell. And then, with a cry of righteous anger, Frank +dashed himself against the door of the boathouse, and fairly threw +himself inside to confront the amazed and startled bully, who paused in +the act of again plunging the knife into the racing craft.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE FIGHT</p> + + +<p>"You—you miserable scoundrel!" gasped Frank. He made a rush for the +bully, who instinctively stepped back.</p> + +<p>"Don't—don't you dare touch me!" whined Welter, as the knife dropped +from his trembling hand.</p> + +<p>"Touch you! I'll give you the best thrashing you ever had!" cried the +young captain. "What are you trying to do; ruin our shell so we can't +race?"</p> + +<p>"I—I was just—just seeing——"</p> + +<p>"Don't make it any worse," broke in Frank bluntly. "I saw you jab one +hole in it, and you were just going to make another when I caught you."</p> + +<p>Once more the young captain approached him, and Welter shrank back.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be put out of the school!" cried Frank. "What did any of +us ever do to you that made you think of such a mean trick as this?"</p> + +<p>"You—didn't you knock me down once?" demanded Welter.</p> + +<p>"Oh, so that's the reason? You wanted revenge on me. Well, why didn't +you come out like a man and say so? I'd have given you satisfaction any +time. I'm going to have it out of you now."</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare touch me!" cried the bully again.</p> + +<p>"Put up your hands!" sternly ordered Frank. "This is going to be a +fight to a finish!"</p> + +<p>Instinctively Welter defended himself, as he saw Frank coming at him, +and then, there in the boathouse, by the light of the lantern was +fought one of the greatest fights in which our young hero ever had a +part. It was not all one-sided, either, for Welter was tall and strong.</p> + +<p>But he was no match for Frank, burning with anger as he was. The bully +tried to block a blow from Frank's left, and countered with his right, +but it never got through Frank's guard. Then, like a flash, the young +captain crossed, and Welter staggered back from a heavy blow.</p> + +<p>"Take that, and then see if you want to ruin any more shells!" +exclaimed Frank, as he struck out with his left, straight from the +shoulder.</p> + +<p>His fist landed squarely on Welter's jaw and once more the bully went +over, falling on a pile of sail cloth in one corner. He struggled to +rise and Frank stood over him.</p> + +<p>"Are you sorry for what you did?" the captain asked threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes!" stammered Welter, holding his jaw.</p> + +<p>"And do you promise never to try such a sneaking act again?"</p> + +<p>"I—I do. Oh, don't hit me again!"</p> + +<p>"Then get up," spoke Frank grimly.</p> + +<p>He turned aside, and was about to look at the damage done to the shell +when he heard a movement behind him. He turned just in time to see +Welter raising a broken oar over his head.</p> + +<p>"Ah, would you!" cried Frank, skillfully ducking the blow aimed at him. +The next instant he knocked the bully down again.</p> + +<p>As Welter fell, a figure advanced from the outer darkness and stood in +the doorway of the boathouse. Both lads saw it, and as Welter struggled +to his feet a rasping voice exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Ah, Racer, this time I have caught you in the act! Out after hours +and fighting! How dare you knock a fellow-student down?" and Professor +Callum glared at our hero.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is the second time he knocked me down!" whined Welter.</p> + +<p>"I knocked him down because he was about to hit me with an oar!" +exclaimed Frank hotly. "It was a fair fight until he tried a mean +trick."</p> + +<p>"Then you admit you were fighting?" asked the professor craftily.</p> + +<p>"Of course. And so would you have fought him if you saw what he did. He +tried to ruin the shell, and the race comes off to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"How dare you bring my name into this disgraceful affair?" demanded the +teacher. "As if I would ever fight! I abhor it, and I detest those who +fight."</p> + +<p>"He hit me first," whined the bully.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt that he did, from what I know of him," agreed Mr. +Callum.</p> + +<p>"That's not so. It was a fair fight. I dodged his first blow and—well, +it was a fair fight," murmured Frank.</p> + +<p>"That will do. I shall at once report you to Dr. Doolittle. You may +consider yourself suspended, Racer. I saw you deliberately knock Welter +down. You are suspended!"</p> + +<p>"And—and can't I race to-morrow?" pleaded Frank, his heart beating so +hard as almost to choke him.</p> + +<p>"Race! I should say not!"</p> + +<p>Frank made a bold resolve. Matters could not be made much worse and he +decided to risk an appeal to the irate professor.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Professor Callum," said Frank. "I know you don't like me or +my brother, but can't you at least be fair?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that I'm telling you the truth. I was out after hours. I admit +that. Coming home I saw a light in here, and I saw Welter in the act +of putting holes in the bottom of the shell. There is one slit he cut, +and here is the knife he used." Stooping quickly Frank picked up the +weapon that had dropped from the bully's hand. "Now all I ask is a fair +show," went on the captain. "I'm willing to be suspended, but can't you +wait until after the race, Professor? Give Riverview a chance to beat +Waterside?"</p> + +<p>Frank paused in his pleading. Welter was observing him with a mocking +smile. There seemed to be some struggle going on within Professor +Callum. Perhaps he remembered that he was once a boy. Perhaps he saw +the justice of the demand Frank made. Perhaps he was weary of the low +place Riverview held in athletics. At any rate he said grimly:</p> + +<p>"Very well, Racer. I will suspend judgment on you this once. But don't +think you are going to escape. Fighting is a flagrant breach of the +rules here, and you must be punished. But you need not report to Dr. +Doolittle until after the race. Then I shall prefer a charge against +you."</p> + +<p>"That's all I ask," said Frank heartily. "I'm not afraid of punishment, +but I do want to beat Waterside. If we win," he added in a lower voice, +"I don't care what happens."</p> + +<p>"You may go to your rooms now," went on Mr. Callum. "Remember, Racer, +see the doctor immediately after the race. I will be there waiting for +you."</p> + +<p>"Nice prospect," thought Frank; but somehow there was joy within him. +He made a hurried examination of the shell and saw that it could be +fixed with about an hour's work. Professor Callum left the boathouse. +Welter hurried after him, probably in fear lest Frank might renew +hostilities. But our hero had no such intentions. Besides he had +inflicted enough punishment on the bully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, by the way," Mr. Callum called after Welter. "You are out after +hours, too; you may also report to Dr. Doolittle—after the race."</p> + +<p>"All right," muttered Welter.</p> + +<p>Frank found Andy awake when he entered the room and his brother became +more so when he heard the story of the night.</p> + +<p>"By jinks!" exclaimed Andy. "I didn't think any fellow could be so +mean! Are you sure we can fix the shell?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. We'll have the race all right. Now go to sleep. I'm dead +tired and I want to be as fresh as possible for to-morrow."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE BOAT RACE</p> + + +<p>"Now mind," said Frank to his brother and the other members of the +crew the next morning when they gathered in the boathouse, "not a word +of what happened last night. It's a disgrace to our school to have a +fellow like Welter in it, and we don't want it to get out."</p> + +<p>"But what about the hole in the boat?" asked Ward, he and Jack, in +addition to Andy, being the only ones whom Frank had told about the +damage to the shell and the fight that followed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no one else need know about it," went on the captain. "We'll just +patch it up and keep it to ourselves."</p> + +<p>"You've got a cut chin, how will you explain that?" Jack wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"I won't have to."</p> + +<p>"But maybe Welter will talk," suggested Andy.</p> + +<p>"Not much," was the significant reply from Frank. "No, it will be kept +quiet until after we're up before the doctor and even after that I +don't think it will come out. I'm going to tell exactly how everything +happened and if I'm allowed to stay here I'll make Welter leave the +school, or we'll send him to 'Coventry' and he'll be glad to quit."</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" exclaimed Ward. "Well, now let's see if we can do +anything with the shell."</p> + +<p>It was the morning of the race, a glorious fall day, just right for a +swift row. Many of the schoolboys had gathered about the boathouse, but +none was admitted. Coach Wallace was on hand early and some excuse was +made to him in regard to the hole in the shell. He helped the crew to +fix it, and, being wise in his day, he asked no questions.</p> + +<p>"There, it's as good as ever," he announced, when the piece of canvas +had been put over the cut and covered with a water-proof mixture. "It +won't leak and it's stronger than before. Oh, but I wish you had a new +shell."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it," spoke Frank. "If we win this race, though, we may +have one next year."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're going to win all right!" exclaimed Andy, and the others +nodded their heads emphatically.</p> + +<p>The race was to be rowed over a course that began and ended at +Waterside. This school had insisted on that as one of the conditions, +and as they stood in the position of champions they could impose their +own rules.</p> + +<p>"Now remember," said the coach, giving them his final instructions, +"the course is three miles, a mile and a half to the stake boat and the +same distance back to the finish line at the Waterside boathouse. Don't +be in too much of a hurry. Take it easy at first and watch the other +fellows. When they begin to hit up the pace don't bite. They'll likely +do that to draw you on. Take it easy until after you round the stake +boat, but don't let them draw ahead of you. The real fight will be at +the finish."</p> + +<p>The race was to start at two o'clock and at noon the crew ate a light +lunch. Then they took a rest and had half an hour of light exercise. +The shell was to be towed down to the starting point by a motor launch +that had been generously donated by a gentleman who once was quite an +oarsman.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see that Riverview is waking up," he said heartily, when +he called for the crew, as Frank and his chums and Coach Wallace were +to go down the river in the motor craft, their shell towing on behind.</p> + +<p>There was a large crowd assembled around the Waterside boathouse when +our heroes and their shell arrived. Though the race was still regarded +as something of a joke by the rivals of our heroes, still word had +gone around that the match might furnish good sport.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Riverview!" called someone in the crowd. The answer +was given heartily and, looking up, Frank saw Tom Crawford, the lad +whom he had rescued.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Waterside!" called one of the crowd of Riverview +students who had come down to see the race.</p> + +<p>"This is something that hasn't happened in many years," remarked +Wallace as the cheers died away. "To have Riverview cheering and being +cheered. I guess a better day is coming for the old school."</p> + +<p>Captain Roth, of the Waterside four, advanced and shook hands with +Frank. The conditions of the race were discussed and agreed to, and one +or two disputed points settled. Both crews were warned against fouling +by the officials, and then they were ordered to get ready to start at +the pistol shot.</p> + +<p>"Old Thorny had a streak of white in him somewhere," said Andy to his +brother, "to let you off for the race."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but think of what's coming afterward," answered the captain, as +he looked at the outriggers to be sure they were in good condition.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, forget it. Say, there's someone waving to you."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Over in that crowd of girls."</p> + +<p>Frank looked quickly and caught a glimpse of a handkerchief being +shaken at him.</p> + +<p>"It's Gertrude Morton," he said, "and Grace Knox is with her. I guess +<i>she's</i> waving to you, Andy."</p> + +<p>"Aw, cheese it. Let's get in."</p> + +<p>The lads of Waterside were carefully taking their places in their shell +which was held steady for them by several of their comrades. As the +Riverview crew entered theirs, a like service was performed by some of +their lads.</p> + +<p>There were a few moments of nervous preparation, a settling in their +seats on the part of the rowers, a testing of the oarlocks.</p> + +<p>"Take your places," ordered the starter, and slowly the two shells +were rowed out from the float to the middle of the stream. At this +point there was scarcely any current, so there was little difficulty in +holding the frail craft in line until the starting shot was fired.</p> + +<p>Once more came a moment of nervous tension. Each captain looked at his +crew, then glanced over toward the motor boat containing the officials.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready?" asked the starter.</p> + +<p>"Ready!" answered Captain Roth.</p> + +<p>"Ready!" called Captain Racer.</p> + +<p>A puff of smoke and a sliver of flame shot out of the revolver barrel, +followed by the sharp report.</p> + +<p>Crack! It was like the snap of a whip.</p> + +<p>Eight oars took the water as one, the broad blades slipping in with +scarcely a ripple. Eight sturdy backs bent to the stroke, and the thin +knife-like shells cleaved the water. The race was under way.</p> + +<p>"Steady, boys, steady," called Frank in a low voice, as he set the +stroke. "Don't get excited." He panted to look over and see what his +rivals were doing, but he refrained for a moment. He wanted to get his +lads into the swing of it. Then he glanced across the little stretch +of river that separated the two shells. Waterside was a quarter of a +length ahead, and for an instant Frank was tempted to increase his +stroke. Then he remembered what the coach had said and he kept on at +the same even pace. He could hear the puffing of the official boat as +it followed the two shells.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a cheer burst out from the bank, along which many excited +lads were running. It was a hearty cry and was followed by the yell of +Waterside.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to do it! Walk away from them!" yelled a clear voice.</p> + +<p>"They're ahead!" panted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk!" cautioned Frank. For a moment he doubted the wisdom of +not matching his own stroke to that of his rivals and then he decided +to hold himself in check. The good sense in this was soon manifested, +for Waterside began to slow up and soon the two boats were on even +terms. The effort to get Riverview to make a spurt early in the race +had failed.</p> + +<p>The struggle now settled down to one of determination, of strength +and endurance. Gradually the banks thinned of spectators for they +wanted to be back at the finish line. Frank could hear his three chums +breathing hard but he knew they were in no distress. Occasionally the +young captain glanced across at Waterside. Frank fancied he could see a +mocking smile on the face of Captain Roth.</p> + +<p>As the two shells approached the stake boat neither one seemed to +have the advantage. But this was a point where skill would tell, for +an advantage might be gained here. Frank, in a low voice, issued his +instructions. He was jockeying to make the inside turn, but at the last +moment Ward missed a stroke and the Riverview shell swung awkwardly +around.</p> + +<p>"Look out! You'll foul us!" yelled Captain Roth.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Be careful," warned the judge through his megaphone.</p> + +<p>There was no help for it. Frank and his comrades had to pull out and +let the Waterside shell take the inside course, which gave the rivals +of our heroes a decided advantage.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so sorry!" wailed Ward.</p> + +<p>"Never mind!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "You couldn't help it. Save your +breath for rowing. We're going to beat 'em yet!"</p> + +<p>They swung around the stake boat and were off on the homeward course. +But Waterside was two lengths ahead.</p> + +<p>"Now we've got to increase our stroke!" murmured Frank. "Quicker, +fellows!" he called.</p> + +<p>The little accident had served them one good turn, it had given them an +instant to get their breaths. Now with fierce energy the Riverview lads +dipped their broad blades into the water.</p> + +<p>Occasionally Frank, throwing a glance over his shoulder, noted the +space of water that separated the shells. He fancied it was growing +less. Or was it but a fancy?</p> + +<p>"I'll catch them!" he thought. "We've got to!"</p> + +<p>Along the bank he could see a few straggling spectators who could not +find room opposite the finish line.</p> + +<p>"We must be getting there," thought the captain. "More power, boys!" he +called.</p> + +<p>Riverview was rowing now as she had never rowed before. Arms were +aching under the strain. Lungs were panting. Eyes could scarcely see, +but the boys kept on.</p> + +<p>Suddenly something came in the line of Frank's vision, to one side. It +was the end of the Waterside shell. He had pulled up on his rival.</p> + +<p>"Row, boys! Row!" he pleaded, and how Andy and the others did row!</p> + +<p>Farther and farther along the Waterside shell crept that of Riverview. +The crowds were yelling and shouting now in a very frenzy. It was a +close race, much closer than they had expected.</p> + +<p>"Row! Row!" panted Frank. He increased the stroke and his crew was with +him. The boats were on even terms now. Frank could see that his rivals +were almost at the limit of their strength and endurance. They had +unwisely made their spurt too soon after rounding the stake boat.</p> + +<p>"We've got to gain more! We've got to gain more!" Frank thought +desperately.</p> + +<p>Inch by inch his shell crept up on that of Waterside. Could he and his +mates stand the strain a minute longer? It did not seem possible, yet +they must—or lose.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a revolver shot. It was the warning gun to tell that +they were a hundred feet from the finish line.</p> + +<p>"Now! For all you're worth! For the honor of Riverview!" cried Frank +with his last breath.</p> + +<p>Desperately he and his chums dug their blades into the water. Their +example was followed by the crew of Waterside. The Riverview shell shot +ahead. There was a riot of cheers. Frank fancied he could hear a girl's +voice. Waterside made a last desperate effort, but it was too late. +They were rowed out.</p> + +<p>Then, with one final heart-breaking spurt, Frank and his crew sent +their boat under the finish line. They scarcely dared look across +to see where their rivals were, but when they did they saw that as +their stern passed the mark the sharp bow of the other shell was just +reaching it.</p> + +<p>"Won by a length!" cried Frank, scarcely able to speak. "Fellows, +Riverside has the race!"</p> + +<p>And a burst of cheers, shrill cries from girls, hoarse shouts from +men, yells from the victorious school lads, greeted our heroes as they +rested on their oars, panting, exhausted and weary, but inexpressibly +happy. For had they not won? Had not the despised crew beaten the best +four on the river? And was not Riverview coming into her own once more?</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was a good race! A good race!" murmured Frank, as they slowly +rowed back to the float and saw the welcoming hands stretched out to +them. "A good race!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">SPEAKING THEIR MINDS</p> + + +<p>"Well done, boys! Well done!" cried Coach Wallace, as he grasped +Frank's hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes, too well done to suit us," murmured Captain Roth ruefully. "My, +but you fellows can row!" he complimented. "We were all in, but you +finished strong. Will you shake?" and he gazed at the rival captain +admiringly, holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Sure," came Frank's quick answer. "I'm sorry we beat you, but it had +to be."</p> + +<p>"And with an old patched-up shell at that," went on the loser. "You +ought to have a decent boat."</p> + +<p>"Maybe we will have now that we've shown what we can do," said Andy +with a smile. The members of the defeated crew shook hands with their +successful rivals.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Riverview!" called someone, and the resulting cries +were like music to the ears of Frank and his comrades.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Waterside!" proposed Frank, and they were given with +hearty good will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I just knew you could do it!" exclaimed a gentle voice at Frank's +side, and turning, he saw Gertrude Morton. A ruddy glow was spread over +her face as she held out her hand to Frank, and if he held her fingers +longer than was really necessary no one was inclined to blame him. "It +was perfectly splendid!" she went on. "You're the champions of the +river now!"</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out?" inquired the young captain, forgetting for +the moment in the excitement of victory.</p> + +<p>"Why if Waterside won from Milton, and you beat Waterside then you have +beaten them both. Q. E. D. you know; like a problem in geometry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Frank with a laugh.</p> + +<p>He was shouldering his way through a press of people, many of whom +wanted to shake hands with him, but he managed to keep his place beside +Gertrude. Andy had in some manner fallen in step with Grace Knox, +and they were talking gaily. On all sides could be heard expressions +of wonder that a comparatively unknown and new crew could have +administered such a beating to Waterside.</p> + +<p>"We haven't any excuses," said Captain Roth manfully. "We were beaten +fairly and squarely."</p> + +<p>Frank and Andy would have preferred remaining at Waterside for a while, +in the company of their girl friends, but as they were rather lightly +clad and began to feel the cool air since they were not in motion, +and as Ward and Jack wanted to get back, our heroes said good-bye, +promising to call soon.</p> + +<p>They went back in the motor boat, their shell towing behind, and on the +trip up the river they were frequently saluted by various craft, the +captains of which had in some manner learned of the victory.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Dr. Doolittle will say when he hears about it?" asked +Jack.</p> + +<p>"That's so. I've got to go on the carpet when I get back," exclaimed +Frank. "I forgot all about it for a while. Well, I don't care what +happens, now that we won."</p> + +<p>"And we came mighty near losing when I caught that crab at the stake +boat," put in Ward.</p> + +<p>"It might have looked so for a time," said Frank, "but I really think +it helped us to win. Waterside thought they had a big advantage and +they hit up their stroke right away. They were rowed out before they +knew it and we still had some wind left."</p> + +<p>"Glad you look at it that way," replied Ward.</p> + +<p>Practically all of the Riverview school lads had gone to see the race, +so there was no crowd on hand to welcome the crew as they pulled their +shell from the water at the boathouse. But there was one grim figure on +hand and that was Professor Callum. His eyes sought out Frank.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Doolittle is waiting for you," said the crabbed instructor. "You +are to go up at once. I will be there!" he added significantly.</p> + +<p>"Can't I change my clothes?" asked Frank, for he was in his racing togs.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," was the grudging answer, "but don't be long."</p> + +<p>"It's like going to the dentist's; isn't it?" asked Andy of his +brother, as the two were dressing in their room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the sooner it's over with the better. There, I guess I'm fit +to go."</p> + +<p>Andy followed his brother out of the room.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Frank in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"With you, of course."</p> + +<p>"But you're not involved. You weren't fighting."</p> + +<p>"I know it, but I'm going to see Dr. Doolittle just the same," was the +dogged answer. "If you're expelled I resign, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but that's foolish."</p> + +<p>"All right, then I'm silly, but I'm going just the same."</p> + +<p>Frank looked at his brother a moment and something glistened in his +eyes. Then, placing his arm in that of Andy's, the two went together to +the office of the head of the school.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Hum! I believe there is some matter that requires my attention," +said Dr. Doolittle slowly, looking over his spectacles as the Racer +boys entered. Professor Callum had preceded them inside the room. "Some +matter of school discipline I believe you said, Professor?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. To be brief, as I was returning from having delivered a lecture +on early Assyrian manners before the Philosophical Research Society +last night I saw a light in the boathouse. I approached and found Frank +Racer attacking Gerald Welter. He had knocked him down, and——"</p> + +<p>"It was in a fair fight!" interrupted Frank.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then you admit that you were fighting?" asked Mr. Callum quickly.</p> + +<p>"Of course," replied our hero. "And I told you why we were fighting. +He tried to ruin our racing shell. If you'll call Welter here I think +he'll be man enough to admit it, too!" finished Frank.</p> + +<p>"Ah, unfortunately we can not have Welter here," said Professor Callum. +"He has—er—withdrawn from the school."</p> + +<p>This was news to Frank and Andy.</p> + +<p>"Withdrawn from the school!" exclaimed the doctor. "That is +unfortunate." It seemed that he regretted more the loss of tuition fees +than anything else.</p> + +<p>"You have heard what Frank Racer admits," went on the crabbed +instructor. "I now demand that he be expelled for fighting."</p> + +<p>"Um! Yes! Fighting," murmured Dr. Doolittle in a dreamy sort of voice. +"Fighting is very bad. It is expressly forbidden, and those who indulge +in it are liable to expulsion. I am sorry——"</p> + +<p>"Doctor, let me speak!" suddenly exclaimed Frank. "I <i>did</i> fight, +but there was a good cause for it. I'm going to tell you some things +that maybe you don't know. After that I'm willing to be expelled."</p> + +<p>"Same here!" murmured Andy.</p> + +<p>"Such impudence!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "You ought not to listen to +them, Dr. Doolittle."</p> + +<p>"It won't take long," spoke Frank significantly. "When we were sent +here, Dr. Doolittle, my brother and I thought we were coming to an +up-to-date school. Instead we found that it was a back number, and it's +getting to be worse every day!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Callum looked shocked and horrified. Dr. Doolittle acted as though +he was awakening from some dream.</p> + +<p>"This school is no good to a live chap who likes sport," went on Frank. +"It's a dead one."</p> + +<p>"Punk!" interjected Andy.</p> + +<p>"That's the reason it's going to rack and ruin!" continued the elder +lad, who grew enthusiastic as he thought of his wrongs. "No fellows +that care for fun, or who have money to spend on it, will come here.</p> + +<p>"Look at the baseball diamond! It's like some cow pasture, and the +football gridiron is even worse. There isn't a grandstand worth the +name. The fences are falling down, and the boathouse too. If my +brother, and I and a few of our friends, hadn't fixed the boathouse, +propped it up and covered the hole in the roof, it would have been in +ruins long ago."</p> + +<p>He paused for breath, for he had been talking rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible? Is it possible?" murmured the doctor.</p> + +<p>"And look at your school buildings!" Frank continued. "Why, some of +them are dangerous, and the rooms we fellows have are worse than some +tenements. It's a wonder you have any pupils at all. I'm not saying +it's your fault, Dr. Doolittle. We all like you—there isn't a fellow +here who doesn't think you're the finest scholar there is—but that +doesn't make a school. You've got to have a sporting and a school +spirit. I know, for I've been to other schools.</p> + +<p>"And now about this fight. I'll tell you how it happened. When my +brother and I came here we wanted to get up a rowing crew. It was hard +work, for there wasn't anything to start with, but we did manage to +find an old four-oared shell, and we patched it up. Then we practiced +hard, my brother, Jack Sanderson, Ward Platt and myself.</p> + +<p>"I won't deny but what there was bad feeling between Gerald Welter +and myself. I claim it was his fault, but we needn't discuss that +now." Frank was talking broadly and with an ease at which he wondered +afterward. But; as he said, he felt that it was his last chance and he +determined that Dr. Doolittle should know the truth.</p> + +<p>"We had hard work using the old shell," Frank went on, "and we had +harder work getting Waterside to accept our challenge. But they finally +did, and the race was arranged. Then last night—the night before it +was to take place—I saw Welter trying to damage our shell, because of +his grudge against me. I stopped him after he had made one knife jab in +it, and then—well we did fight and I whipped him. We fixed the shell, +and what's more we won the race with Waterside. To-day Riverview school +is champion of the river in the four-oared class!"</p> + +<p>Frank bowed as he finished. He was about to leave the room, for he had +no other thought but that he would be expelled. But he had had the +satisfaction of speaking his mind.</p> + +<p>"That's all I have to say," he concluded. "We tried to do our best to +make your dead school into a live one."</p> + +<p>"But it's awful dead yet," added Andy, as he prepared to follow his +brother.</p> + +<p>"Stop a moment!" exclaimed Dr. Doolittle. He was rubbing his eyes. He +sat up straight in his chair. The look of dreamy wonder had gone from +his face. His eyes sparkled. "Did I understand you to say that you won +the race—that Riverview is—er—once more champion—as she once was?"</p> + +<p>"She is," said Frank briefly.</p> + +<p>"Then, boys, I want to congratulate you!" cried the doctor +enthusiastically. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"</p> + +<p>With a gratified look on his face he advanced toward the boys, holding +out his hands.</p> + +<p>"I realize," he said, "that our school is not what it ought to be. We +have fallen upon evil days, and lack of money is the chief cause. But +it is remarkable—you won the race! You are champions! It is almost +incredible! I never thought to hear such news again! You deserve the +thanks of the whole school!"</p> + +<p>He shook hands with them, smiling the while. Professor Callum looked on +with ill-concealed anger. He was getting impatient for the last act.</p> + +<p>"I suppose there is nothing further to say," he began, in his rasping +voice. "Racer has confessed to fighting, and he will doubtless be +expelled, Dr. Doolittle?"</p> + +<p>"He will—not!" exclaimed the doctor in hearty tones.</p> + +<p>"Wha—what?" gasped Professor Callum.</p> + +<p>"He will remain in this school," went on the doctor, "and I hope he and +his brother will do their best to establish a sporting spirit. It is +just what we need. Riverview wants some good red blood! I—er—I don't +approve of fighting as a rule, but in this case—why—er—um—I wish +I had had your chance to see this one, Professor Callum! You may go, +boys. Champions of the river! Well! Well!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">CHET SEDLEY ARRIVES</p> + + +<p>What took place between Dr. Doolittle and Professor Callum after Frank +and Andy had left, our heroes did not hear definitely. That there was +quite a discussion they did not doubt, and as a matter of fact some +students who had occasion to pass the door a little later heard high +voices.</p> + +<p>One of them was that of the irate professor, while no less determined +was that of Dr. Doolittle. The head of the school seemed at last to +have awakened from the literary dream in which he passed most of the +time.</p> + +<p>"I think there's going to be a great change for Riverview one of these +days," said Donald Burgess, one of the seniors, to a classmate.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the Racer boys will be responsible for it more than anyone +else," agreed Duke Yardly. "I guess it's up to us fellows to do +something, now that they've won the rowing race. Some football would +hit me about right.</p> + +<p>"Same here. I understand they have two scrub teams, but the gridiron +is in rotten shape."</p> + +<p>"That's right. Well, if those Racer boys want to start a subscription +to get it fixed up I'll give my share."</p> + +<p>"So will I, and I guess some of the other fellows will also. I'm going +to speak to 'em about it. All it needs is some one to start things. +We've been in a rut here long enough."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad Welter has gone," said one little lad who had been made the +butt of many a cruel joke on the part of the bully. "Some of us small +chaps can have a little fun now."</p> + +<p>The rowing season was practically ended but it did not pass without +further gratification on the part of Frank and his chums. For they +received a challenge from Milton Academy, asking for a race the +following year.</p> + +<p>"Nothing succeeds like success," said Frank, as he wrote an answer +stating that the race would take place in the spring.</p> + +<p>As might be expected, Professor Callum was more than ever incensed +against Frank and Andy. In every way he sought to make life miserable +for them, not only when they were reciting in his class, but out of +school hours as well.</p> + +<p>However, our heroes were prepared and they gave him little chance +to inflict punishment on them. Once or twice though, he caught them +napping and many an extra hundred lines of Latin prose they had to +write out. This, however, had its good effect, for it perfected them in +this study, which they might otherwise have neglected.</p> + +<p>There was a different spirit awakening in the school. The lads seemed +brighter, and many simple sports such as hare and hounds, and cross +country running, or walking matches, were gotten up, in which Frank and +Andy took prominent parts.</p> + +<p>The school faculty seemed different, too, and a few days after Frank's +open-hearted talk with the doctor some much needed repairs were made to +some of the buildings.</p> + +<p>"Though where the money comes from I don't know," said Old Wallace. +Everyone called him "Old" Wallace though he was a young chap. "I hear +that some of the professors haven't been paid for months," he added. +"Maybe that's what makes Thorny crosser than usual."</p> + +<p>"In that case," thought Frank, "he'll do all he can to make it +unpleasant for Gertrude and her mother. I must write to dad and see if +he can't collect on those bonds." He did so, getting an answer that the +company was in litigation in the courts and that it would be some time +before a settlement could be made.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to advance money on them myself," Frank wrote back. +"Andy is with me in it, too." So, though his father rather objected to +this proceeding, arrangements to this end were started.</p> + +<p>The football talk, which had been rather listless at first, following +the rowing race, became more pronounced. The lads who had formed two +scrub elevens practiced more frequently on the gridiron, part of which +had been cleared of heaps of dirt, stones and a thick growth of weeds.</p> + +<p>"We ought to try and see if we can't get up two regular teams," +suggested Frank one afternoon, when he and Andy, having donned their +suits, which they had had sent from home, were out on the field. "Maybe +we could get a game with Milton or Waterside."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," spoke Old Wallace, who was one of the best of the +football squad. "They probably have their dates all filled, though they +might give us one with the scrub."</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" exclaimed Frank. "If we play at all we play the varsity or +nothing."</p> + +<p>"Then I guess we won't play," said Burgess with a shrug of his +shoulders, as he ran out on the field to catch a ball kicked high into +the air by Andy.</p> + +<p>But Frank did not give up, though he had rather an up-hill struggle. +Plenty of the boys were in favor of having a football team, but when +it came to putting up money to have the grandstands repaired and the +gridiron made so it could be used, they balked. And it wasn't because +they were afraid to spend the cash, but they didn't have it. Few rich +men's sons attended Riverview.</p> + +<p>"Maybe they will, after they hear that we've beaten the Waterside +four," suggested Andy hopefully.</p> + +<p>"I'd use all the money I got from selling the whale only I want it to +take up those bonds," said Frank. "I can't let Thorny get ahead of me +now and make trouble for Gertrude."</p> + +<p>"That's right. Well, I guess we can't have any football eleven this +year."</p> + +<p>But still the lads kept up practice, and gradually they were perfecting +themselves.</p> + +<p>One crisp afternoon, when both scrub teams were having an improvised +game on the gridiron, Frank got possession of the ball, and started +down the field on a dead run to make a touchdown. He had the pigskin +tucked under his arm and was running low and hard with lowered head. He +had eluded the other side's fullback and was headed straight for the +goal posts. A figure stood between them, a figure that, somehow, seemed +strangely familiar to Frank. But he did not stop then to think who it +was.</p> + +<p>"He'll get run down if he stands there," he murmured, for Frank wanted +to put the ball as near the middle as possible to render a kick for +goal more certain.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" yelled Frank. The figure between the posts never moved and +the next instant our hero crashed full into the other lad, sending him +flying to one side, and knocking him down.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, old man, but I couldn't help it," apologized Frank after he +had touched down the ball. "I called to you to get out of the way."</p> + +<p>"You had no business to run into me!" exclaimed the other lad, as he +got up and began brushing off the dirt from an evidently new suit. "I +shall report you to the head master for this."</p> + +<p>Something in the tones of the voice caused Frank to look more closely +at the speaker. He could not repress a start of astonishment, for +confronting him was the dude of Harbor View.</p> + +<p>"Chet Sedley!" gasped Frank.</p> + +<p>"Frank Racer!" exclaimed Chet.</p> + +<p>"What in the world are you doing here, Chet?" Frank went on.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming here to school, what do you suppose I'm doing?" was the +pert answer. "But I'm not going to play football if you're as rough as +that," and the dudish youth continued to brush off his clothes and dust +his shoes with a highly perfumed handkerchief.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">A HAZING</p> + + +<p>Frank was so surprised at first at the sight of the Harbor View dude, +as he was called, that he paid no attention to his companions, who came +racing up after his run down the field with the ball.</p> + +<p>"Friend of yours, Frank?" asked John North, and he eyed the new arrival +with no friendly eyes, for Chet had a proud and supercilious air that +did not add to his charm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he comes from the town where we spend our summers," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it isn't Chet Sedley!" exclaimed Andy, coming up at that +moment. "How are fresh clams selling, Chet?"</p> + +<p>Andy referred to the time when some of the bivalves had fallen from a +wagon on a new pair of tan shoes the dude had purchased.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mind your business!" retorted Chet. "I'll have you know you +can't play any more jokes on me. I won't stand it, and if you do I'll +report you to the head master."</p> + +<p>"For cats' sake! Are you coming here?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"I certainly am," declared Chet. "An aunt of mine died and left me +a lot of money. My folks wanted me to come to a swell school, and I +picked out this one because I had heard your mother say it was a good +one. It doesn't look very swell though," and Chet, who had only gotten +off the river steamer a little while previous, looked about the unkempt +grounds and at the rather forlorn buildings.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's swell all right," said Jack Sanderson with a laugh. "It +swelled up so that it burst, and now it has to start over again."</p> + +<p>Chet looked worried, but determined not to pay too much attention to +what the lads said, as he realized that he was probably being made the +butt of a joke.</p> + +<p>"Introduce your friend," invited Ward Platt to Frank, and when the +latter attempted this Chet said with scornfully turned up nose:</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I care to meet everyone. I expect to move only in +the best crowd and I think I'll pick my own friends after I've been +here a while."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will; eh?" exclaimed Frank. "All right, if he thinks he's too +good for us, fellows, let him alone. Come on, Ward, and see if you can +kick goal."</p> + +<p>"Er—may I ask—where is the office of the head master?" began Chet, +for he was at a loss which way to go.</p> + +<p>"You may ask, but I don't know as we'll tell you," said Andy. "One +thing though, keep off the gridiron. It might soil your shoes."</p> + +<p>There was a laugh at this and Chet, darting an angry look at Andy and +Frank as the chief of his tormentors, hurried away toward the main +group of buildings.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't seem very friendly," commented Duke Yardly.</p> + +<p>"No, and I'm sorry he came here," said Frank. "He's a snob of the worst +kind. Riverview, bad as she may be off in other lines, hasn't had any +snobs since Welter left."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad Chet has come," spoke Andy.</p> + +<p>"You are; why?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Because he'll give us a chance for some fun," replied his brother. +"We haven't hazed any one yet and it's time we began. Chet will be our +meat. It will do more for the school than a football victory. I've got +a peach of a plan to do it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, all we'll have to do will be to leave that to you," admitted +Frank with a laugh. "Well, let's go on with the game."</p> + +<p>Andy's determination to haze Chet found unexpected favor with several +students. It appears that when Chet found out that the school was in +poor circumstances, which he did very soon after his arrival, he made +many mean and slighting remarks about not only that, but about the lads +who attended.</p> + +<p>Now it is one thing to disparage yourself or your possessions, but it +is quite another matter when some one else does it. Consequently Chet +got himself heartily disliked before he had been at Riverview two hours.</p> + +<p>His conduct in the dining hall at supper time added to this. He +appeared in a dress suit—something that had never been known to happen +at the school save at some formal banquet. Then Chet found fault with +the food and with those who sat next him at table, for being a late +arrival he was placed with the lowest form boys, a sort of grammar +grade.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to eat here!" Chet complained. "I want to be at the head +table."</p> + +<p>"You will have to speak to Dr. Doolittle about it," said one of the +monitors who waited on the table.</p> + +<p>"I will, and I'll have my seat changed too!" threatened the dude.</p> + +<p>"Positively he must be hazed to-night," whispered Andy to Frank +and a select crowd of his chums, and they agreed to it. "Be ready +then," ordered the younger Racer lad, who had assumed charge of the +arrangements.</p> + +<p>On the campus of Riverview there had been recently erected a large, new +and very strong flag pole. It was the gift of a former graduate, but as +yet the flag had not arrived. The halyards were all rigged, however, +and this suggested something to Andy.</p> + +<p>"We'll tie Chet to the ropes and hoist him to the top," he said. "That +will be a sign that he's better than the rest of us, as he's so much +above us. It ought to satisfy him."</p> + +<p>"Will it be safe?" asked Frank, who was more cautious.</p> + +<p>"The pole and ropes are strong enough," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"We can take some of the old mattresses that used to be in the +gymnasium," suggested Ward. "If he falls he'll land on them and not +hurt himself."</p> + +<p>"Wait! A better plan yet!" cried Andy. "We'll have a tub of water at +the foot of the pole and lower him into that. If he's so hot for polite +society he'll get cooled off."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the lads, and they laid their plans accordingly.</p> + +<p>It was the hour of midnight when several stealthy figures stole along +the corridor leading to the room which had been assigned to Chet Sedley.</p> + +<p>"Go easy," cautioned Andy. "Old Thorny may be on the job, and he'd +spoil the fun if he could."</p> + +<p>"Suppose Chet makes a row?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"I've got some rags I'm going to stuff in his mouth," answered his +brother.</p> + +<p>They found Chet's door locked, and to their cautious knock he made +answer:</p> + +<p>"Who's there?"</p> + +<p>"We represent the society of Blue Bloods," answered Andy in muffled +tones. "We'd like to have you join. It is a very secret society and we +only meet at night, as the professors are opposed to it. Will you come +out and join?"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" cried Chet, delighted to think that he had so soon been singled +out for the honor. "Wait until I dress."</p> + +<p>"Never mind that," hastily urged Andy. "We will dress you in the robes +of the novice as soon as we reach our rooms. Slip on a bath robe."</p> + +<p>"In a minute! In a minute!" said Chet hastily. They could hear him +moving about the room, and the next moment his door was opened.</p> + +<p>"This way," whispered Andy, taking care to keep his face in the shadow +of the single hall light. "Take my hand. Move on, true and loyal +members of the Blue Bloods! We have the honored candidate!"</p> + +<p>"I'm ever so much obliged for letting me join," began Chet.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" whispered Frank. "You may not be so glad—later," he added +in a low voice.</p> + +<p>The others managed to get Chet outside of the building before he +suspected anything, and without arousing any of the professors or +monitors. Then an unlucky gleam from a lamp shone on Andy's face. Chet +instantly drew back.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" he cried. "I see your scheme now! You are going to do +something to me!"</p> + +<p>"How'd you guess it?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I won't go!" cried the dudish pupil, struggling to break +away.</p> + +<p>"Quick with that gag or he'll arouse the school!" whispered Frank, and +a bundle of rags was quickly tied over Chet's mouth. His struggles were +in vain, as he was lifted up and fairly carried to the flag pole.</p> + +<p>It was the work of but a few minutes to fasten the rope about him, and +Frank took pains to see that it would not slip loose, so there would be +no danger.</p> + +<p>"Up with him!" exclaimed Andy. "He will be very much above us all +shortly."</p> + +<p>Chet made inarticulate murmurs, but could not speak. His struggles +availed him nothing. A moment later he was being hoisted to the top of +the pole.</p> + +<p>The boys were not cruel, and only held him there for a few seconds, as +they feared he would faint through fright.</p> + +<p>"Is the water ready?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Ready, most noble knight of the flagstaff," answered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Then give him the cleansing bath!" was the order.</p> + +<p>The gag must have become loosened, for when Chet felt himself being +plunged into the cold water he let out a terrified yell.</p> + +<p>"Cut it out!" ordered Andy, but Chet only yelled the more.</p> + +<p>"We'd better vamoose," suggested Frank. "Take off the rope and run for +it. You run too, Chet, or you may catch cold. Run, you beggar! Run!" +and releasing the dripping figure Frank clapped Chet on the back, +shoving him toward the dormitory.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll pay you for this! I'll pay you!" wailed Chet.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, keep the change," said Andy laughing. "I guess you'll know +your friends after this. Come on, fellows, get rid of this tub," and +they picked it up and hastened off with it.</p> + +<p>The hazers entered their dormitory by a side door, which they had +previously opened with a skeleton key in anticipation of haste, but +Chet ran for the front entrance. His yells had aroused Professor +Callum, who, ever on the alert, had arisen to see what the disturbance +was. He opened the front portal and discovered the shivering figure +there.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is disgraceful!" the instructor exclaimed, as he recognized +the newcomer. "In school one afternoon and yet you go out after hours."</p> + +<p>"It was a—a—ha—hazing!" stammered Chet.</p> + +<p>"Ha! So much the worse! So you have been taking part in a hazing, have +you?" asked Mr. Callum. "You will be punished for that. To your room at +once!" and nothing Chet could say would appease the wrath, or make his +position understood.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">ON THE GRIDIRON</p> + + +<p>There was an investigation the next day, and Chet was allowed to tell +his side of the affair.</p> + +<p>"Hazing!" exclaimed Professor Callum, who, as head assistant, heard all +cases with Dr. Doolittle. "Such a thing has not occurred in Riverview +before in many years."</p> + +<p>Dr. Doolittle murmured something that sounded like "It might have been +a good thing if we had had more of it," but of course that <i>might</i> +not have been what he said.</p> + +<p>"Are you willing to tell all about it, and disclose the names of those +who took part in the disgraceful affair?" asked Mr. Callum of Chet, who +was closeted with the instructor and the master. "If you do we may be +easier on you."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell everything," said the dude.</p> + +<p>Thereupon he related how he had been summoned to join the Society of +Blue Bloods.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "Then it would appear that you are not as +innocent as you would have us think. You were ready to violate the +school rules by going out after hours to join a secret society. That +was very reprehensible—very. You must be punished for that. I shall +have you do two hundred lines of Latin prose for me. Now you may tell +us who those were who hazed you. Is not that proper, Dr. Doolittle?"</p> + +<p>"Hum—er—yes, I suppose so," murmured the doctor doubtfully.</p> + +<p>Chet said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Well?" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "We are waiting. Who were the disgraceful +students who hazed you—ran you up to the top of the flagpole, as you +say, and dropped you into a tub of water? Who were they?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to tell!" suddenly exclaimed the new student.</p> + +<p>"You are not going to tell?" cried Mr. Callum, amazed.</p> + +<p>"No. If you're going to make me do a lot of that Latin stuff, after +I've been hazed, I'm not going to squeal on those fellows. I won't +tell!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Callum was dumbfounded. He gazed at Dr. Doolittle.</p> + +<p>"Ah—er—um—quite right," said the doctor. "I don't blame you for not +telling, Sedley. You may go."</p> + +<p>"But—but, my dear Dr. Doolittle!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "We must +maintain discipline!"</p> + +<p>"But there must be no tale-bearers in Riverview!" said the doctor +sharply. "You may go, Sedley."</p> + +<p>And Chet went with a queer feeling. Somehow he was pleased with +himself, and when the other lads heard how he had kept silent some of +them said:</p> + +<p>"Say, Andy, that fellow we hazed isn't so bad after all."</p> + +<p>"No. Perhaps he has the makings of a decent chap in him, if he'd stop +thinking so much about his clothes," answered Andy.</p> + +<p>It is true that Chet's refusal for "peaching" was mainly due to the +fact that he felt the punishment inflicted on himself to be unjust, and +so he would not aid the school authorities, but in spite of that he had +taken a step forward. And, while he did not become popular during his +stay at Riverview, and while he did much to annoy our heroes, he was +considerably improved.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile football practice went on. Gradually the raw material was +being developed into shape, and finally Professor Hardin, one of the +younger members of the faculty, came out one day to watch the lads +kicking the ball about. At the close of practice he called Andy and +Frank Racer aside.</p> + +<p>"If you would like me to, I will coach you boys," he said. "I used to +play on the Yale team." His tone was modest.</p> + +<p>"Are you <i>that</i> Hardin?" cried Frank. "Coach us? Say, it would be +the best thing in the world for us! Maybe we can get up a 'varsity team +after all."</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt of it," replied Mr. Hardin. "You have some good +material in the two scrub elevens."</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that a 'varsity team was formed. It was no easy +work picking the eleven and their substitutes, for there were some +jealousies, but finally eleven lads were named and it was admitted that +they were the pick of the school. Jack Sanderson was named as captain, +Andy had the position at quarterback, which he had longed for, and +Frank was right halfback.</p> + +<p>"Now if the grounds were only in decent shape, maybe we could get a +game with Waterside or Milton," said Andy one day.</p> + +<p>"The only way to get the gridiron in shape is to do it yourselves," +said Mr. Hardin. "It will be good training for you boys. I think we can +find some shovels, picks and wheelbarrows. We can't do much with the +grandstands except to make them safe, but that's something. What do you +think about it?"</p> + +<p>"We'll do it!" cried Frank; and then he and his brother broached +the subject to their fellows. The result was that in the next +week the gridiron took on a much different appearance. The weeds +disappeared; the humps of dirt were leveled off, and the leaning fences +straightened. New goal posts were secured, and the grandstands made +tolerably secure in case of a crowd.</p> + +<p>"Now what we want is some games with good schools!" said Jack Sanderson +one day, following a hard struggle between the 'varsity and scrub.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's only one way to get them," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Challenge Waterside and Milton. I'm going to do it right away. They +can't any more than laugh at us and turn us down." And in his capacity +as manager Frank hurried off to write the letters.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">LAUGHED AT</p> + + +<p>"That's the way to punt!"</p> + +<p>"Send one out this way, Frank!"</p> + +<p>"Here you go, Andy! Let's see you catch this."</p> + +<p>The boys of Riverview were out on the gridiron having some warm-up +practice before starting a game between the regular and scrub. It was +several days after the conference when Frank had decided on issuing +challenges to Waterside and Milton, and, in the meanwhile the grounds +had been further improved and the grandstands put in better shape.</p> + +<p>"We can give them a game on our grounds, if they'll play us," said +Andy, as he caught a swiftly kicked punt.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they'll insist on our going to theirs—if they play us," +replied Captain Jack.</p> + +<p>Frank ran down the field to get under a ball that had been sent high +into the air. He could not help noticing the improvement in the +gridiron. Truly, the students had worked like very beavers in getting +it into shape, and tired muscles and aching joints for many a day +told of the strain they had been under. Except for hiring some of the +heaviest work done, the boys had managed it all themselves, under the +direction of Professor Hardin.</p> + +<p>"And I'm not going to have all this work go to waste," thought Frank. +"If it's possible, we're going to play Milton and Waterside besides +some other schools. We may not win, or come anywhere near it, but it +will do the boys good to stack up against a real eleven instead of the +scrub."</p> + +<p>"Line up!" called Captain Jack. "We'll have a practice game, anyhow."</p> + +<p>The scrub was a good match for the regular and several times came near +scoring, which knowledge made Jack, Frank, Andy and their mates clench +their teeth, dig their cleated shoes into the turf, to brace and shove +to such good advantage that finally the ball was pushed over for a +'varsity touchdown.</p> + +<p>"That's what we'll do to Waterside," exclaimed Frank, as he paused to +get his breath.</p> + +<p>"If they'll only let us," said Jack.</p> + +<p>The game went on, becoming more fast and furious, until Coach Hardin +clapped his hands in delight.</p> + +<p>"That's <i>real</i> playing!" the professor exclaimed. "These boys +will amount to something yet. I was afraid this school was going to +remain a dead one, but if it's got such material in it as the Racer +boys and their chums, it can't be so bad. But—well, maybe it will come +out right," and the professor shook his head rather ruefully. He was +thinking of his unpaid salary, and wondering if he would ever get it. +For of late more and more disquieting rumors had come to him of the +financial straits of Dr. Doolittle and the school.</p> + +<p>"If it comes to a crash I hope it will stand off until the boys have at +least one good game," he mused on, for he was a true lover of outdoor +sport.</p> + +<p>The football practice went on, the regular eleven winning by a larger +score than ever. The scrub players were correspondingly crestfallen.</p> + +<p>"Good work, Captain Jack!" complimented the coach. "The game was well +played throughout. Same to you, Scrubs!" Whereat they, the "goats," as +they dubbed themselves, smiled and forgot their bruises.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Andy of his brother, later that afternoon, +as he saw Frank attiring himself with rather more than usual care. +"Something on?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm just going to take a run in to Marsden. I've got to see Mr. +Bolton about that law business and the bonds for Mrs. Morton."</p> + +<p>"Oh ho! Gertrude going to meet you there?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not. Come along if you like."</p> + +<p>"I believe I will. I'm all up on my studies and the trip will do me +good. I got a beaut of a poke in the back to-day, and I'd like to get +some liniment for it. Going to be long?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it won't matter if we get back after hours. Old Thorny has +gone off to deliver a lecture, and there's some sort of a meeting in +the doctor's office. We won't get caught."</p> + +<p>"What's the meeting about?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, something about funds and money, I guess. Poor old doctor is +looking pretty blue these days. I'm afraid this place is getting more +on the fritz."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so too, and it's a shame after the way you worked to get +things going."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you did your share. But it can't be helped. However, I'm not going +to cross a bridge until I hear the rustlings of its wings. I wish we'd +hear from Waterside or Milton, though. They're taking their time about +answering those challenges."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they got heart disease at the nerve of Riverview asking for a +game."</p> + +<p>"Well, they needn't. We've got as good a team as either one, even if +our grounds aren't good. But come on," and Frank, having succeeded in +tying his scarf to his taste, made ready to start.</p> + +<p>The business with Lawyer Bolton was soon concluded. He said that +several unexpected difficulties had been met with in the sale of the +bonds because of lawsuits against the company issuing them.</p> + +<p>"But what need that matter?" asked Frank. "Mrs. Morton needs the money. +Now, why can't I advance it to her? I will! I don't much care whether +the bonds are good anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, that's easy enough to say," declared the lawyer, "but the +court has issued an injunction against the disposal of the bonds in any +way until this trouble is settled. The bonds are the only security for +the debt, so unless you want to give Mrs. Morton the money outright +nothing can be done until the matter is settled. I don't believe your +father would like you to use your money in that way without some +security."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't believe he'd care!" exclaimed Frank. "Give her the money +and have done with it."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, but she won't take it;" said Mr. Bolton. "I sounded her on +that when I found that the bonds were likely to be tied up, and she +refused to consider it. She is very independent, and she won't accept +money unless she gives what she believes to be good security. So you +see you'll have to wait."</p> + +<p>"And in the meanwhile Professor Thorndyke Callum may act and secure the +Morton home," said Frank dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he <i>may</i>," admitted Mr. Bolton. "But I'll do my best to +prevent that. In the meanwhile if anything occurs I'll let you know." +And with that the boys had to be content.</p> + +<p>It was early when they left the lawyer's office and, as they did not +want to return to school, they went into a moving picture show.</p> + +<p>"Look over there!" exclaimed Frank to his brother, during one of the +vaudeville acts, when the house was lighted. "Isn't that Captain +Loring, of the Waterside eleven?"</p> + +<p>"That's who it is," assented Andy after a glance at the youth whom +Frank indicated. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing."</p> + +<p>But when the show was over the elder Racer lad hastened through the +crowd and touched a youth on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"May I speak to you a moment, Loring?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, is it, Racer?" answered the other. They had met at the +boat race, and once or twice since.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Say, aren't you fellows going to answer our football challenge?"</p> + +<p>"Answer it? Why, I thought our manager did answer it. I'm almost sure +he did."</p> + +<p>"We haven't received it. But are you going to give us a game?"</p> + +<p>"What? Give you a game? Come, that's pretty rich. Say, Racer, look +here. I don't want to seem mean, but really we can't play you fellows, +you know. Ha! Ha! Why, it would be a joke!" And he laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a joke; eh?" and Frank's face was stern.</p> + +<p>"Now, it isn't my fault," went on Loring, seeing that the matter was +serious. "The fellows voted not to play you, that's all. Ha! Ha! You +really haven't a good team, you know."</p> + +<p>"If you'd play us you'd find out," said Andy, ready to take up the +battle with his brother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can't do that. We'd be laughed at," and once more Loring seemed +about to give way to mirth.</p> + +<p>"All right," assented Frank, for a curious crowd was beginning to +gather. "Some day you may be glad to play Riverview."</p> + +<p>"Not in a blue moon!" laughed Loring as he turned away.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">BUCKING THE LINE</p> + + +<p>Frank did not say much on the way home, and neither did Andy. But they +were doing a lot of thinking and their thoughts were not pleasant. The +rebuff just administered had been more humiliating than the letter in +regard to the rowing.</p> + +<p>"He needn't have laughed," said Frank in a low voice, as they neared +the school.</p> + +<p>"No, that was adding insult to injury," agreed Andy. "What are you +going to do?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, exactly. Let's wait and see what the word is from +Milton. They may be more decent."</p> + +<p>They did not have long to wait for an answer from the other boarding +school farther up the river. There were two letters in Frank's room +when he and Andy successfully eluded the monitor and reached their +apartment.</p> + +<p>"Here's the answer from Waterside," announced Frank, holding up an +envelope bearing the imprint of that school. "And this is from Milton +Academy," he added, as he looked at the other. His hand shook a little +as he opened it, and his face, that had been gloomy when he began to +read, was more so as he finished.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing," answered Frank briefly. "They say we are not in their +class. I'm going to bed."</p> + +<p>The news was all over the school the next morning, and it created more +of a stir than had the first refusal of Waterside to row, for there +were more boys interested in football than in the race on the river.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame!" exclaimed Captain Jack vindictively. "I'd like a chance +to tell 'em so, too."</p> + +<p>"Better not get into a row with them as we did before," advised Frank.</p> + +<p>There were gloomy days that followed at Riverview. For a time the +gridiron was all but neglected, and only a few reported for practice. +Then Professor Hardin talked to the lads and for very shame's sake they +went back to work, the 'varsity hammering the scrub all over the field.</p> + +<p>The energetic coach did even better. He arranged for a game with a +semi-professional team that had the name of playing hard and fast +football. In a way they were more than a match for Riverview and Mr. +Hardin wanted to see how his lads would take a beating.</p> + +<p>The first part of the game was all in favor of the Lafayettes, as the +other team was called. They made a number of good plays, and seemed to +go through the line at will. But the coach noticed that his boys braced +at the last moment, and in needed spots, so that after the first two +periods there were only two touchdowns and a goal against them.</p> + +<p>"See if we can't wallop 'em!" exclaimed Frank, tenderly feeling of his +nose in the rest period.</p> + +<p>"We're going to!" fiercely cried Andy, as he shifted his shin guards. +"We're going to plow right through 'em!"</p> + +<p>And Riverview did, to the no small surprise of the Lafayette team. The +schoolboys shoved their opponents all over. They went through the line +and around ends. They gained on fake kicks and on the forward pass, and +they had the wing shift down to perfection.</p> + +<p>"If they don't win they're putting up the prettiest game I've seen in a +long while," said the enthusiastic coach.</p> + +<p>"It's the first time in a good many years that Riverview has had a +chance to show what she can do," said another instructor. "Oh, I hope +we do win!"</p> + +<p>And win they did! Perhaps it was from thinking of all the hard work +they had put in on their gridiron that made the lads resolve not +to have it go for naught. Inch by inch they fought their opponents +back. Time and again they bucked the line until they had rolled up +three touchdowns and kicked the goal for each one. Then, when time +was called, though they were a sore and suffering lot of lads, they +gathered in the center of the field and cheered their vanquished rivals +to the echo. And they were cheered in turn.</p> + +<p>"No wonder Waterside doesn't want to play you," said the captain of the +Lafayettes. "They're afraid of getting trimmed. Say, you didn't do a +thing to us!"</p> + +<p>"We'd like a chance to do the same to them," remarked Frank, feeling of +his left eye to see if it was going to close.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll give you a recommendation," spoke the other captain, with +a rueful laugh.</p> + +<p>There was an increase of the number of candidates out to practice on +the gridiron the next Monday afternoon. Chet Sedley was among them, and +to the surprise of Frank and Andy, the dude did actually get into the +game on the scrub.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you fellows that I can play, even if I do dress well!" he +announced. Certainly he was not dressed well now, for he had on an old +suit someone had loaned him. But Chet was not destined for a football +player. At the first scrimmage he fell with about eight lads on top of +him, and his mouth and nose were down in the soft dirt.</p> + +<p>"Get up off me! Ouch! This is no way to play! It ain't fair to sit on a +fellow's head that way!"</p> + +<p>Thus yelled Chet, while his mates laughed at him. But I will do him the +justice to say that his hazing had done him good, and he was not nearly +so unpopular as he at first threatened to become. But football was not +his forte, and after a few more trials he gave it up.</p> + +<p>"But I'll make the baseball nine in the spring," he declared, as he +retired to the side lines. "That isn't so rough."</p> + +<p>For the sake of getting a line on the play of their rivals the +Riverview eleven went to see the annual contest between Milton and +Waterside, played on the former's grounds. It was a good game, and well +contested, and for a time seemed to be in favor of Waterside.</p> + +<p>Then came several costly fumbles, of which Milton took quick advantage, +and when the final whistle blew the score was twenty-two to ten in +favor of Milton. Waterside had been badly beaten.</p> + +<p>"Say, that's a surprise," commented Andy, as he and his brother left +the grounds.</p> + +<p>"A good surprise for us, I think," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because maybe Waterside will take us on now. They know how we trimmed +Lafayette and now that they have been trimmed in turn by Milton, they +may not be so high and mighty. I'm going to send another challenge."</p> + +<p>Some thought it was foolish and a waste of time, but Frank persisted. +He got an answer more quickly than before, and it showed the +correctness of his reasoning.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"We will play you next Saturday on our grounds," said the note from +the Waterside manager. "Kindly arrange details."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Whoop! Hurray!" yelled Frank, rushing from one member of the team to +another with the letter. "Now we'll have to do some tall practicing."</p> + +<p>And next day the line-bucking of the regulars was so fierce that +several of the scrubs were knocked out. There was a grim smile on the +faces of the Racer boys and the coach.</p> + +<p>"I think they'll play a great game—a great game," whispered Mr. Hardin +as he watched them at practice.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">THE LAST TOUCHDOWN</p> + + +<p>"Line up! Line up!"</p> + +<p>"Come on now, fellows, and don't forget that wing shift signal."</p> + +<p>"Pass the ball over here."</p> + +<p>"Say, Cap, give me a chance at some end runs."</p> + +<p>"Work me through center all you want. I think there's a weak spot in +their line."</p> + +<p>"Come on, now, everybody line up!"</p> + +<p>It was the Riverview football team at warm-up practice on the grounds +of their rivals, just prior to the big game. I say big game, for the +Racer boys and their chums so regarded it from their standpoint, +though, it must be confessed that Waterside expected to win easily, and +only gave their opponents a game in order to prove how badly they could +beat them.</p> + +<p>But Frank and his chums were full of confidence. They knew they could +play well, and they were in the pink of condition. Of course there +might be a slump, and a fumble is likely to occur in any game, to make +or break it.</p> + +<p>On the other side of the fine big gridiron the Waterside lads were at +practice.</p> + +<p>"They're beefy," said Captain Jack, a bit dubiously.</p> + +<p>"They <i>are</i> a bit heavier than we are," admitted Andy, "but we +have more speed. Look how slowly they worked that forward pass."</p> + +<p>"They may be doing it for a bluff," said Duke Yardly.</p> + +<p>"There's no bluff about this gridiron and their grandstands," declared +Donald Burgess. "This sure is a peach school."</p> + +<p>Nearly every lad contrasted it with Riverview, to the disadvantage of +the latter institution.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," spoke Frank. "Win this game and we may have a better +football field—some day."</p> + +<p>Jack Sanderson won the toss and selected the north goal, as that gave +him the advantage of a stiff little wind, and he realized that if his +team could score first it would put heart into the lads—heart that +would more than make up for the extra weight of the Waterside eleven.</p> + +<p>Ping! The new yellow ball sailed high into the air, and went rolling +well into Riverview's territory. Frank caught it and went back on the +run, well protected by interference. But with a rush Waterside was +bearing down on him in a bunch, while from thousands of throats came +hoarse yells.</p> + +<p>"Go on, old man! Go on!" someone implored Frank.</p> + +<p>He did try to go on, but now there was a miniature mountain of flesh +upon him.</p> + +<p>"Down!" he gasped, and then they lined up for the first scrimmage.</p> + +<p>It was hot, fierce and fast work. After a couple of tries at the line, +Captain Jack saw that it was going to be heavy work, so he began the +kicking tactics that had been agreed upon. Here the wind favored +Riverview very much, and though Waterside sent the ball back time and +again, the net result at the end of five minutes' play was decidedly +with our heroes.</p> + +<p>"Now we've got to rush it over for a touchdown!" said Frank, as they +lined up two yards from the Waterside goal line. It was a desperate +try, but it was successful, and Andy was shoved over the necessary +distance.</p> + +<p>"Touchdown! Touchdown!" yelled the frantic and enthusiastic supporters +of Riverview. "Now get another!"</p> + +<p>The goal was kicked, and then began the fierce playing again. It was +more than a mere game. Riverview was actually fighting for life—or +at least recognition among her fellows. With grim despair her boys +hugged the ball when they had it, and dashed into the line like young +battering rams. And when it came their turn to stop a rush they did it +with such fierceness that several of the Waterside players were put out +temporarily.</p> + +<p>In good stead did the grueling practice our heroes had had on their +rough gridiron stand them now. Of course the game went against them at +times, and once, just before the end of the second quarter, it looked +as if Waterside would get another touchdown in addition to the one she +had already made, which would have put her well ahead. But Frank saved +the day by a brilliant tackle almost on the goal line and the welcome +whistle blew. So far the score was a tie.</p> + +<p>There was no let up in the fierce playing when the third period +started. Frank, Andy, Jack and Ward were "playing their heads off," as +the coach said. But it was needed.</p> + +<p>For Waterside was smarting at the manner in which her players were +being hurled back.</p> + +<p>"We've just <i>got</i> to win!" said Frank fiercely.</p> + +<p>In the third period neither side scored, though Riverview came close to +it, and would have done so but for a most unfair decision. There was a +howl of protest, but Captain Jack silenced it among his lads.</p> + +<p>"We'll win anyhow," he said calmly.</p> + +<p>The time was almost up. There had been an exchange of kicks, some +fierce line-bucking, and several trick plays tried. Waterside had been +forced back until once more the line-up was not far from the fatal +white line on which the two posts stood.</p> + +<p>"Over she goes now, boys!" called Andy, who was at quarter. This was +the prearranged signal for a sequence of plays—that is, several, one +after the other, without further instructions being given.</p> + +<p>Donald Burgess hurled himself at the line, hoping to get through, but +he only made a yard. Then came the turn of Duke Yardly, and he was able +only to tear off about four feet.</p> + +<p>"Now, Frank, it's up to you!" whispered his brother desperately. Frank +set his teeth grimly, and when the pigskin came back to him he threw +himself into an opening that was torn for him between tackle and guard +on the left. Forward he went, worming his way. He felt hands clutching +at him, he felt feet kicking him. His head swam, his eyes saw black. +His breath seemed leaving him, and there was a tremendous pressure on +his chest, but he got through, and when he found himself flat on his +face, with the ball under him, he looked to see that he was beyond the +chalk mark. Riverview had made the last touchdown and won the game!</p> + +<p>Oh, what a pandemonium broke loose then! How the little contingent of +Riverview boys, as compared with the big crowd of their rivals, yelled +and shouted.</p> + +<p>After the first stupefying knowledge that they had been beaten, and +by a despised rival, Waterside remembered her manners and cheered +her opponents. And the gridiron was quickly covered with a mass of +spectators who insisted on carrying on their shoulders the lads who had +won.</p> + +<p>"Oh, cut it out!" implored Frank and the others, but it was not to be.</p> + +<p>"It was great! Glorious! Fine! Oh, I can't find words enough for it!" +cried Gertrude Morton a little later, as she insisted on shaking hands +with Frank, even though his palms were covered with mud and grass +stains.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you've won!" cried Grace Knox, as she approached the +blushing Andy.</p> + +<p>"You're coming right along! You'll be the champions of the +Interscholastic League," said one admirer of our heroes.</p> + +<p>"We're not in the League, but we may be if we can beat Milton," spoke +Frank grimly. "We want their scalps next."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to challenge them again?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Sure. It's the only thing to do. Why, the championship is between us +now, and I guess Milton won't back down."</p> + +<p>And she did not. A few days after the memorable victory of Riverview, +Frank's second challenge to Milton Academy was accepted.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"We will have to play on your grounds," the letter stated, "as our +gridiron is going to be used by the freshman team that day."</p> +</div> + +<p>"Our grounds!" exclaimed Frank. "Well, they're pretty punk, compared to +theirs, but they'll have to do. And we can play better at home."</p> + +<p>"What if we should win?" cried Andy, capering about.</p> + +<p>"Did you say <i>if</i>?" asked Frank. "Of course we're going to win. +Now come on, we've got to do something more to those grandstands, and +I'd like to see the gridiron in a little better shape."</p> + +<p>Between times at practice the lads worked on the grounds until they +were in fairly good condition. There was an early indication that a +goodly crowd would be present, as the championship of the football +season practically lay between Riverview and Milton.</p> + +<p>It was the day before the big game—the game on which our heroes +counted more than on the previous one. The members of the eleven were +just returning from practice when a notice on one of the bulletin +boards caught Frank's eye.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" he asked, stopping to read it. The others crowded around +him.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>"Owing to financial difficulties," the notice stated, "it will be +impossible for the trustees further to conduct Riverview Hall. The +term will come to a close to-morrow and the pupils may return to their +homes. Arrangements about returning the unused part of the tuition +fees will be made with students' parents."</p> +</div> + +<p>Dr. Doolittle's name was signed to the notice, and the boys could not +but help observing that the characters were very shaky, as if the good +doctor's hand had trembled very much.</p> + +<p>"Riverview Hall going to close!" gasped Andy.</p> + +<p>"And just when we've got her in good running shape!" cried Frank. "This +sure <i>is</i> tough luck!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</h2> +</div> + +<p class="ph2">A NEW SCHOOL—CONCLUSION</p> + + +<p>The disquieting news was only too true, as the boys soon learned. +Little else was being talked of in the dormitories and classrooms when +the football squad entered. Professor Callum was seen going in and out +of the doctor's study, his crabbed and wrinkled face twisted into a +heavy scowl. Other instructors looked worried, for their salaries were +long overdue.</p> + +<p>A long series of misfortunes to a man never very well qualified for +financial matters, with debts accumulating, few wealthy patrons, no +endowment worth mentioning, with the buildings in need of repair, and +with a new heating plant vitally needed, as winter was coming on, it is +no wonder that Dr. Doolittle had to close the school.</p> + +<p>"He has thrown up the sponge and taken the count," said Duke Yardly, +who was addicted to sporting terms. "Poor old Doc! Well, I suppose this +knocks our football game in the head."</p> + +<p>"Not at all!" exclaimed Frank quickly. "We'll play it. Riverview +doesn't close until to-morrow. To-morrow lasts until midnight The +game will be over by six, consequently we are a recognized school +until after the game, and when we beat Milton Academy, as we're going +to, we'll be the champions of the Interscholastic League—for about a +minute!" and he laughed mirthlessly.</p> + +<p>"Sure we'll play!" declared Andy, and gradually the feeling of +despondency wore off in a measure, for the boys were all healthy lads +and sport appealed to them.</p> + +<p>"But we won't give up until the last whistle!" said the elder Racer lad.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" agreed his brother. "And, win or lose, we'll have some +fun to-morrow night. We'll play no end of jokes——"</p> + +<p>"Say, you'd joke if Rome was burning, wouldn't you?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Don't know. Never had a chance to try," answered Andy, with a grin.</p> + +<p>As it was Saturday there were no lectures, but the usual morning +devotional exercises were held in chapel. The doctor read a selection +from one of the grand old psalms, and if his voice faltered at times, +and if his eyes were dim, who shall say that in the crowd of boys who +listened to him, thoughtless as they might be at times, there were not +some who also felt a mist of tears obscure their vision.</p> + +<p>"I presume you have all heard the news," said Dr. Doolittle, as the +final hymn was sung, "I have nothing to add to the notice I posted. +I bid you all good-by," and he turned aside, while Professor Hardin +placed his arm about the venerable figure and led the head of the +school from the platform.</p> + +<p>There was, necessarily, a period of sadness when the boys filed out +of chapel, but it soon passed away. Their young minds were tuned to +pleasure, and as there was yet much to be done to get the gridiron and +stands in readiness for the day's game they busied themselves about it.</p> + +<p>"The last day at old Riverview!" exclaimed Andy, looking about as he +and Frank stood on the field. "Well, we've had some good times here."</p> + +<p>"We sure have," agreed his brother, "and we're going to have a +<i>hot</i> one pretty soon. Those Milton fellows will be here in a +little while."</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Some hours later there was a sound of cheering, a blowing of horns +and ringing of bells. Shouts, snatches of songs, school yells, and +mere whoops of joy. The Milton football team and their supporters were +arriving. Riverview greeted them no less enthusiastically. Out on the +gridiron swarmed the lads in their ungainly suits.</p> + +<p>I am not going to try to describe that last game to you in detail. +Ask any old Riverview student, or, for that matter, any old Milton +graduate to tell you about it, and he can do it much better than can I. +Sufficient to say that it began with a rush and ended with a rush, and +there were rush plays every minute of it.</p> + +<p>Never, so said old football men, had such a fierce contest been seen +except among college teams. It was as if Riverview was playing for life +and Milton for reputation.</p> + +<p>"If we die, then we die fighting gloriously!" quoted Frank, at the +middle period when neither side had scored. "They are sure tough, but +we're tougher! We're going to win and lay it as a last tribute on old +Riverview's grave."</p> + +<p>"Of course we'll win!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>Up to the ending of the third period the goal line of neither side had +been crossed, though the ball had been perilously close a number of +times. There were cheers, songs and wild yells from the grandstands, +which swayed dangerously under the stamping feet.</p> + +<p>At last Riverview got the very chance she needed. Milton had the ball, +and her player was coming through center with it. But Frank made a +magnificent leap and broke through the interference. There was a +fierce tackle, a fumble and our hero had the pigskin. Then, like a +flash, he had tucked it under his arm and was off down the field.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wow! Good work. Pretty! Get a touchdown!" was yelled after him.</p> + +<p>"And a touchdown it's going to be!" whispered Frank desperately to +himself.</p> + +<p>How he did it he hardly knew himself, afterward. There was one man +between him and the goal, and when Frank broke away from a fierce +tackle that man lay prone upon the ground motionless. And Frank was +over the line, sitting on the ball, while the whistle blew, ending the +game. Riverview had won!</p> + +<p>"Good! Good! That's the stuff! Well played! A plucky run! Riverview +forever! A new day for her! Wow! Who was that lad?"</p> + +<p>So cried a well-dressed man who was leaping about in the grandstand +after Frank's sensational run. This man had been watching the game +with critical eyes. He had also been letting his gaze rove about the +grounds, and down toward the repaired boathouse that had been treated +to a coat of paint, for which our heroes paid.</p> + +<p>"Who was he? Is he a regular student here?" demanded the man, ceasing +his frantic yelling for a moment and resting his cane, with which he +had been pounding holes in the floor of the rotten grandstand. "Who is +he?"</p> + +<p>"Frank Racer," someone told him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, one of the Racer boys. I've heard about them. I know their father. +But say, this was a peach of a game!—I—I—is Dr. Doolittle here?" and +the well-dressed stranger looked about. He seemed laboring under some +repressed excitement.</p> + +<p>Someone told him of the impending closing of the school, and how Dr. +Doolittle was in retirement.</p> + +<p>"This school going to close? I guess not!" cried the man. "Not if I +know it. Here, let me pass, please. I want to see Dr. Doolittle. Any +boys that can play football the way these lads have played to-day +aren't going to be turned out of a school. Why, I used to attend here, +years ago, but I never could play football like that. Wow! What a run! +What a run!"</p> + +<p>The man was pushing his way through a wondering and enthusiastic crowd. +Out on the gridiron the Riverview team was capering about in delight. +They had cheered their gloomy rivals and been cheered in turn. The +field was being overflowed by a mass of people.</p> + +<p>"You fellows are sure wonders!" cried the captain of the Miltons. "We +came for your scalps, but you got ours. How did you do it?"</p> + +<p>"We just <i>had</i> to," said Frank simply.</p> + +<p>A messenger boy thrust his way through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Frank Racer!" he called.</p> + +<p>"Here I am," answered our hero.</p> + +<p>He tore open the envelope that was handed to him, and his face went red.</p> + +<p>"Hang that Thorny!" he exclaimed. "I've got to go to see Gertrude and +her mother," he explained in a low voice to his brother. "Professor +Callum is putting on the screws again. He's got out another attachment. +I guess this business here, when he fears he'll lose his back salary, +made him do it. I'm going to see Mr. Bolton right away. You pack up the +things."</p> + +<p>"What things?"</p> + +<p>"Why, our clothes and stuff. We're going home. Riverview is up the +spout."</p> + +<p>"That's so. My, isn't it tough! And just when we won the best game of +the season!" cried Andy.</p> + +<p>But Frank did not hear him. He was hurrying over the field on his way +to the dressing-room, unheeding the calls of his comrades to stay and +join in a final celebration.</p> + +<p>"This is the end," Frank was saying to Lawyer Bolton a little later. "I +want this business settled and Mr. Callum prevented from annoying Mrs. +Morton."</p> + +<p>"And I was just going to send you word that it would be," said the +lawyer. "The bonds have just been sold at a handsome profit. The +court proceedings are over and the widow and her daughter are in good +circumstances. Professor Callum's money is ready for him, and the +attachment will be vacated at once. Here is the court order. I've been +attending to the case all day."</p> + +<p>"And we've been playing football—we won," explained Frank briefly.</p> + +<p>"Then maybe you'd like to take these papers to Mrs. Morton," suggested +the lawyer. "I will send her a check next week."</p> + +<p>Frank lost no time in going to the house of the widow. At first she +could not believe the good news, but when he showed her the court order +vacating the attachment she wept. This time no one had been put in +possession, so it was not necessary to get rid of an unwelcome visitor.</p> + +<p>"And so you won the game," Gertrude said to Frank a little later. "I +wanted to come, but—well, I couldn't leave mother."</p> + +<p>"I understand," he said, as he shook hands at parting. "Now I've got to +go back to school and help Andy pack up."</p> + +<p>"You—you aren't going?" she faltered.</p> + +<p>"Got to. School's broken up," he said. "But I'm going to +Waterside—Andy and I—if we can persuade dad to send us. So I—I'll +see you again."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said she, and she smiled, and seemed pleased.</p> + +<p>When Frank got back to school he found a crowd of joyous and yelling +students out on the campus. A big fire had been built, and the crowd +was marching about it singing.</p> + +<p>"Humph! They don't seem to be taking it very seriously," he mused. "I +thought they'd feel rather broken up about the old school closing." +There was a mist of tears in his own eyes, for, though he had not been +there long, he had formed a liking for the place, and for Dr. Doolittle.</p> + +<p>"Hey, what's up, Andy?" he called a moment later to his brother. "Are +they celebrating the football victory? Have you got our traps packed +up?"</p> + +<p>"No, to both questions!" fairly roared Andy. "We're not celebrating +the football victory, because we're celebrating something else, and I +haven't got our things packed up because we're not going home."</p> + +<p>"Why not—isn't Riverview Hall closed?"</p> + +<p>"Not much. Say, it's great news. Mr. Lairman, that millionaire who +once refused to invest in Riverview, changed his mind after he saw how +we could play football to-day. He was in the grandstand. That was he +yelling so after you made that dandy run. He saw we had a good team, he +saw how we'd fixed up the gridiron and the boathouse, and he's going to +make a new school of this. He's bought a half interest and he's paid +Dr. Doolittle about a million in cash, I guess. Wow! But it's great +news! There's going to be practically a new school at Riverview—a gym, +a football field that's going to beat the old one all to pieces, a new +diamond, lots of shells, a new boathouse, new buildings—say—pinch me +so I'll know I'm not asleep."</p> + +<p>"Is this true?" asked Frank of several of his chums.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" Jack assured him. "That millionaire was an old graduate +and he's made good. Now he's going to make a new school of this. He +just told us in a little speech. He's all right. Dr. Doolittle's +troubles are over and I guess he's glad of it. Now he can translate +Chinese, Assyrian and Chocktaw until the cows come home, and he won't +have to worry."</p> + +<p>"Come on! Join the festive throng!" cried Andy, seizing his brother by +the hand. "This is the day we celebrate! How did you make out with Old +Thorny?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's down and out. Mrs. Morton has her money and everything is +lovely."</p> + +<p>"Good," broke in Andy, "and there's more news. Thorny is going to +leave. He and Dr. Doolittle and the millionaire had a row and Old +Thorny quit. Wow! but I'm glad. We're going to stay here now and be the +champion baseball players next spring. Come on. Let joy be unconfined. +Mrs. Stone had a bang-up supper ready for us. Wow!"</p> + +<p>And a little later formal announcement was made of the rejuvenation of +Riverview Hall at an impromptu supper which the matron prepared for the +lads. And such a supper as it was! They talk about it yet in the new +school.</p> + +<p>"Well, now we can settle down to study after we've made ourselves +champions," said Frank, as he got up from the table.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I wonder what will happen next?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>What did, and how the Racer boys conducted themselves in another +succession of surprising happenings will be told in the next volume of +this series, to be called "Frank and Andy in a Winter Camp; or, The +Young Hunters' Strange Discovery."</p> + +<p>And so, as the lads are making merry over the supper, and rejoicing in +the great victory, and in the prospects of a new school to take the +place of the old one—in which work none had such a prominent part as +the Racer boys—we will take leave of them and their chums.</p> + + +<p class="ph2">THE END</p> + + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75261 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75261-h/images/cover.jpg b/75261-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4f5557 --- /dev/null +++ b/75261-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75261-h/images/illusc.jpg b/75261-h/images/illusc.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b7490e --- /dev/null +++ b/75261-h/images/illusc.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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