I'd like to know who could keep his oar straight with such steering." "If you'd row half as well as he steers," said Fairbairn, "you'd row a precious sight better than you do! You'd better take care, Gilks." "Take care of what, you fool ?" demanded Gilks, whose temper was now fairly gone.
"Ready all, you fellows!" cried Fairbairn, stretching forward.
This brief conversation had been heard only by those in the boat, but its purport had been gathered by those on the bank who had watched the angry looks and heard the angry voices of the speakers.
"Bravo! fight it out!" cried some one, and the news that there was a quarrel in the schoolhouse boat added greatly to the zest of the critics' enjoyment.
Fairbairn's caution--whether purposely, or because he could not help it--was lost upon the offending bow oar.

The boat had scarcely started again when Gilks caught another crab, which for the moment nearly upset the crew.

Fairbairn rowed on, with thunder in his face, regardless of the incident, and Riddell kept as straight a course as he could, despite the unsteadiness.

In due time the unsatisfactory practice came to an end, and the crew stood together again on the steps of the boat-house.
Gilks seemed to expect, and every one else expected, that Fairbairn would once more take the defaulter to task for his performance that morning, and Fairbairn did not disappoint him; though he dealt with the matter in a rather unexpected manner.
"I shall want the tub-pair after third school," said he to the boatman.
"Riddell, will you come and cox.

Crossfield and me ?" "Who--Crossfield ?" asked Coates.
"Yes; I shall try him for bow." "You mean to say," exclaimed Gilks, taking the matter in, "you're going to turn me out of the boat ?" "Certainly," said Fairbairn, coolly.
"What for ?" demanded Gilks, threateningly.
"Because," replied Fairbairn, taking Riddell's arm and walking slowly off--"because we can do better without you." Gilks stared at him a moment as though he meditated flying at him.