The sophs were encouraging their men to hold the advantage to the finish, but still the freshmen were gaining.
The nose of the freshman boat crept alongside the sophs, whose faces wore a do-or-die look.

The suspense was awful, the excitement was intense: Then Rattleton was heard talking: "Well, this is the greatest snap we ever struck! I wonder how the sophs like the Oxford stroke?
Oh, my! what guys we are making of them! It don't make a dit of bifference how hard they pull, they're not in the race at all.

Poor sophs! Why don't they get out and walk?
They could get along faster." That seemed to break the sophs up, and then a great shout went up as the freshman boat forged into the lead.

They soon led the sophs by a length, and crossed the line thirty feet in advance.
Then Rattleton keeled over, completely done up, but supremely happy.
How the freshmen spectators did cheer! "'Umpty-eight! 'Umpty-eight! Whoop 'er up! 'Rah! 'rah!' rah!" It was another great victory for the freshmen--and Frank Merriwell, and that night a great bonfire blazed on the campus and the students made merry.

They blew horns, sang, cheered and had a high old time.
The freshmen made the most noise, and they were very proud and aggressive.