Part 5 (2/2)

To the further surprise of the Zephyrs, they discovered that the b.u.t.terfly had executed a similar maneuver, and that the two boats lay at the distance of nearly a quarter of a mile apart, the bow of one pointing directly east, and the other directly west.

”Ready to back her!” said Frank, and the boys all pulled their oar handles close to their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, ready at the word to take the reverse stroke.

”Back her!”

The b.u.t.terfly did the same thing exactly, and the two boats rapidly approached each other, stern first. Tony had certainly made the most of the time which had been allotted to him for drilling his crew, and they worked together almost as well as the Zephyrs, who were a little embarra.s.sed at each new movement by the awkwardness of Tim Bunker.

”Steady--slow,” continued Frank, as the two boats came nearer together.

”That will do; cease--rowing. Ready--up!” and the twelve oars gleamed in the suns.h.i.+ne.

The sterns of the two boats came together, and Frank threw Tony a line, which the latter made fast.

”Ready--down!” said Tony and Frank, almost in the same breath; and the oars were deposited in their places on the thwarts.

The two clubs were facing each other as they sat in their seats, with the respective c.o.xswains standing in the stern sheets.

”Mr. c.o.xswain of the b.u.t.terfly,” said Frank, as he removed his hat, and gracefully bowed to Tony, ”in behalf of the members of the Zephyr Boat Club, of which you were so long a cherished member, I welcome you and your club, and the beautiful craft in which you sail, to these waters.

May the Zephyr and the b.u.t.terfly cruise together in entire harmony; may no hard words or hard thoughts be called forth by either, but may all be peace and good-will.”

This little speech was received with a burst of applause by Tony's club, and the boats interchanged volleys of cheers.

”Mr. c.o.xswain of the Zephyr,” Tony began, in reply to his friend's speech, ”I am much obliged to you and your companions for the kind words you have spoken for yourself and for them. I am sure there will never be any hard feelings between us, and I a.s.sure you if any fellow in our club attempts to make a row, we will turn him out. Won't we, fellows?”

”Ay, ay! That we will,” replied the club, with one voice.

”If we get beaten in a race, we will bear our defeat like men. Won't we, boys?”

”That we will.”

Tony wound up by saying he was not much at making speeches, but he was ready to do everything he could to make things go off right and pleasantly.

Three cheers more were given on each side, and the crews were ordered into their seats.

”Starboard oars, ready--up!” said Frank.

”Larboard oars, ready--up!” said Tony.

”Ready--down!” was then given by one, and repeated by the other. And then, ”Ready--pull!” followed, in like manner.

My reader will readily perceive that the effect of this maneuver was to turn the boats round in opposite directions, so that they came alongside of each other, after a few strokes of the oars.

The painter of the b.u.t.terfly was thrown on board the Zephyr, and made fast to the bow ring. The boys were now all brought together, and the discipline of the clubs was relaxed so as to permit the members to enjoy a few moments of social recreation.

The b.u.t.terfly, as we have said in the introduction, was of the same size and model as the Zephyr, and, except that the former was painted in gayer colors, to represent the gaudy tints of the b.u.t.terfly, the two boats were exact counterparts of each other.

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