Bob Hartwell, who had landed, looked on in utter consternation.
"For the love of decency!" gasped Referee Tyndall.

"Who rigged on a drag like that." The blanket, towing below the surface, was a drag that could be depended upon, perhaps, to delay the canoe at least one length in every dozen that her crew could put her through the water.
"None of our fellows did that trick," Dick declared hotly.

"You saw us launch our canoe, Mr.Referee, and she was clear when we launched her." "I naturally wouldn't suspect the Gridley crew of rigging a drag on the Gridley canoe," remarked the referee dryly, as he followed the line back to the canoe.

"See! Some scoundrel managed to twist a screw-eye into one of your frame timbers underneath.
The line is made fast to the screw-eye.

Captain Prescott, that could have been done by someone hidden under this float while your craft lay alongside.