I say, how splendidly the schoolhouse are steering, though!" Silk laughed.

"More than Parrett's are! Young Parson's taking them round rather sharp, isn't he ?" "No; he always turns in like that; it's better than the long sweep.

Now look out!" During this brief dialogue the two boats had come on towards the corner.
As far as Gilks and Silk could see at present Parrett's led by about half a length, which advantage, however, it stood to lose owing to its outside position at the corner.

Parson, however, knew what he was about even better than Riddell, who had kept a magnificent course down the reach, but who now seemed afraid to take full advantage of the sharp corner.

The Parrett's coxswain, on the other hand, with his half-length to the good, began turning his boat's head early, even at the risk of running dangerously close on his rival's water, and so saved as much as possible of the lost ground.
It was an anxious moment, for as the boats came round that corner so the race usually depended.