Not many moments were cut to waste before each
man had safely ensconced himself on the thwart built for him under the
experienced eyes of the champion boat-builder. The men looked, it must
in all fairness be admitted, in the high level of condition. In each
eye there blazed a stern determination to do or die on every possible
occasion. When the signal to start was given, the boat was observed
to move with the bounding speed of a highly-trained greyhound. The
oars dipped into the water like one man, though a marked inclination
was observed on the part of two or three of the oarsmen to "hurry,"
while the rest seemed equally disposed to be "late." A few fatherly
words from the prince of modern coaches soon had the desired effect
of placing matters on a more completely satisfactory footing. The
suggestion often made in these columns that a swifter rate of striking
should be introduced, was acted upon. The boat moved with perfect
evenness, while the wavelets played round her like young dolphins out
for a holiday.
I need only add that our old friend Jupiter Pluvius proved once again
to be a kind friend to those who tempted the dangers of the foaming
tide in Putney Reach.
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