Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/169

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"SENOR BOSWELL"
157

you're not training now, and that makes a difference. My chief anxiety at present is to get you in the way of taking the proper stroke, to teach you how to sit, how to slide in the moving seats, how to bring your whole weight where it will do the most good, and how to depend on the toe stretchers. Your wind will take care of itself when you get down to hard practice. If it doesn't—well, you can't row in an eight, that's all."

The old graduate glanced sharply at the lads, and, noting a look of anxiety on their faces, he hastened to add:

"But I'm sure it will come out all right. Don't think about it. Now then, hit up the stroke a little."

And so he accompanied them over the course, giving them advice almost invaluable, which they could have obtained in no other way. The boys appreciated it deeply.

Camp and cottage life on Crest Island was endless delight to the boys, even with the hard practice they put in occasionally. I say "occasionally" advisedly, for they did not forget, nor did Mr. Lighton or Mr. Pierson want them to forget, that they were on their vacations. Truth to tell, the girls took much of the time of our heroes. And this was as it should be. We can never be young but once, if I may be pardoned that bit of philoso-