It was not long before our opponents gave indication of abating somewhat the quick stroke they had hitherto maintained, and by virtue of which they had already got nearly a boat's length ahead.

At the same moment Blades slightly quickened his stroke, and instantly our boat began to crawl up alongside that of our rivals, amid the frantic cheers of the onlookers.

Slowly and surely we forged ahead, till our stroke's oar was level with their coxswain.

Then a spurt from the Old Boys kept the two boats abreast for a few seconds, but it died away after a little, and once more their boat travelled slowly back, as we drew level, and began in our turn to take the lead.

Now was our time to-- What is that ahead on the water, drifting right across the bows of our boat?
A shout from the banks apprises me that others besides myself have taken the sudden alarm.