style="font-size:15px;"> Consequently, when a match was arranged by the clubs to which they belonged between the pair it was thought, even by many Lakeview people, that Si Peters would win.
Si had one great advantage over Jerry. His father was rich, while Jerry’s father was poor. Consequently, while Jerry had to help on the farm during idle hours Si Peters could go out and practice, and, thus get himself in perfect condition.
It was this fact that made Si think he was going to have an easy time defeating Jerry.
But, unknown to him, Jerry got more time than he thought. Harry was anxious to have his chum win, and spoke to his father about it.
Now, Mr. Parker and Si Peters’ father were not on good terms, and the former readily agreed to a plan Harry proposed.
“Mr. Upton,” he said one evening, when he met Jerry’s father down in the town, “I would like to hire Jerry to work for me every afternoon for a couple of weeks.”
“All right, Mr. Parker,” said Jerry’s father, promptly. “When do you want him to come?”
“To-morrow, if he can. I’ll pay you five dollars a week.”
“Very well. You can pay Jerry.”
So it was settled, and every afternoon the young oarsman went over to the Parker place, which bordered on the lake.
Here Jerry would practice in secret in a little cove seldom visited by any boats.
As the time grew close for the race between Jerry and Si Peters the boat clubs began to bet on their favorites.
So sure were the Rockpointers that they would win, that they gave the Lakeview people heavy odds.
Together the two clubs put up as a trophy a silver cup, which later on would be engraved with the name of the winner.
Of course, Jerry’s father soon found out what his son was doing.
But he would not break his bargain with Mr. Parker, and so let Jerry practice every afternoon, feeling sure that Jerry would not take the money the rich manufacturer had offered.
“You will win,” said Harry, confidently. “I shall try my best,” returned Jerry.
Si Peters and his friends smiled broadly whenever they came over to Lakeview.
“Jerry Upton won’t be in it after the first quarter,” said they.
The race was to be a mile, half a mile each way, the turning point being a well-known rocky island scarcely fifty feet in diameter.
Jerry kept at his practice steadily until the great day for the race arrived.
CHAPTER VI.
THE SINGLE SHELL RACE
The race had been spoken of so much that Lakeview presented a holiday appearance.
All those who could, crossed over from Rockpoint, and many came from other places.
The lake was crowded with craft of all sorts, and even standing room along the shore was at a premium.
Even Farmer Upton grew interested.
“You must win that race, son,” he said. “Not only for your own sake, but for the sake of the whole Lakeview district.”
And this made Jerry more determined to win than ever.
The race was not to come off until three o’clock in the afternoon. In the meanwhile there were half a dozen other contests, in which, however, the masses took but small interest.
While one of these contests was going on, and Jerry was in the dressing room of the boathouse putting on his rowing rig, Harry came in excitedly. “Jerry, you want to be on your guard,” he said in a low tone, so that those standing about might not hear.
“On guard? How?”
“Against Si Peters.”
“I don’t understand.”
“From what I have overheard, I imagine there is a plot on foot to make you lose the race.”
“What sort of a plot?”
“I can’t say.”
The young oarsman gazed at his chum in perplexity.
“What have you heard? I don’t know what to make of this.”
“You know Wash Crosby?”
“Yes. He is Si Peters’ toady.”
“Well, I heard him tell Browling that it was a dead sure thing Si would win.”
“That might have been mere blowing.”
“No. Browling thought so, too, but then Crosby whispered in his ear. At once Browling’s face took on a look of cunning.
“‘Can you do it?’ he asked, and Crosby said he could.
“Then Browling said he would put out his money on Si, if he could find anyone to bet. You know the whole crowd is rich.”
“Yes, and I know another thing!” exclaimed Jerry suddenly. “I fancy I can see through their plan.” “What?”
“Crosby owns a steam launch, you know.”
“I do.”
“What is to prevent him from running the launch so that I shall get all the swash? It would make me lose a quarter minute or more, and perhaps upset me.”
“Jiminey crickets! I believe you are right!” whispered Harry.
“Did they mention the steam launch?”
“They did. Browling said he would go and take a look at her.”
“Then that is what the plot is, you may be sure of it. You ought to be able to stop them, Harry. You are going to be on your uncle’s naptha launch.”
“I will! If they get too close to you I’ll boathook them and pull them off!” cried Harry.
“Good for you.”
“But beware, Jerry, the plot may not be that after all.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open,” replied the young oarsman.
A minute after this Harry went off.
Then Jerry, having donned his rowing outfit, was surrounded by the other members of the club. His shell was inspected and found in perfect condition. It had been guarded carefully, and now the club members did not dare to let their eyes off of it.
“Bring me my blades, please,” said Jerry, and they were at once brought from the locker.
He began to examine them from end to end. Suddenly he uttered a cry.
“Boys, look here!”
“What’s
