CHAPTER XXVI.
THE RACE.
The day for the race came at last--a sunny day, with the air clear and cold.

Just the right sort of a day for the best of work.
Everybody seemed bound for Lake Saltonstall.

They were going out in carriages, hacks, coaches, on foot, by train, and in many other ways.
The road to the lake was lined with people.

The students were shouting, singing and blowing horns.

One crowd of freshmen had a big banner, on which was lettered: "'Umpty-eight, she is great, She will win sure as fate." Evidently the sophomores had been informed about this banner in advance, for they carried one which declared: "'Umpty-eight isn't in it, She'll be beaten in a minute." How they shouted and taunted each other! How they raced along the road! How sure everybody was that he could pick the winner! The scene at the lake was beautiful and inspiring, for the shore was lined with people and there were flags and bright colors everywhere.