Part 56 (2/2)

Jerry heard them, but paid no heed. He was rowing the race of the year--the race that would make his college chums shout with joy or look glum for the balance of the season.

And now the three-quarter mark was past. A quarter of a mile more and the race would be over.

”See! Pinkney is drawing up to Hosmer!”

”Pinkney leads! Hosmer has dropped away behind!”

”Pinkney first and Jerry Upton second!”

”Villelet is crawling up!”

”He has pa.s.sed Pinkney!”

And so the shouting went on. The end of the course was in sight. How the oarsmen were pulling! But now look at Jerry.

How like a flash his back bends! How powerful is that broad stroke! How quick his recovery!

In vain Pinkney tried to hold his lead. Jerry means to win and nothing can hold him back.

He fairly flies past Pinkney and comes in a winner by a length and a half.

His friends go wild.

”Hurrah for Jerry Upton!” shouts Harry.

And the cheers echo and re-echo along the water and back to the distant hills.

Blumpo dances a breakdown for joy.

”I told you he could do it,” he cries. ”Da can't beat our Jerry nohow!”

”That's right, they can't!” adds Harry. ”Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!”

Jerry leaves his sh.e.l.l, and is hoisted up upon the shoulders of his friends and marched around the town.

That night he is given a big reception by his fellow students. It is the happiest moment of his life.

And here we will leave him and Harry and Blumpo, and all of the rest, shouting as do our hero's many friends:

”Hurrah for the Young Oarsman of Lakeview!”

THE END

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