were much more thoughtful than usual.

They had met defeat---a thing they didn't relish.
Yet they knew, in advance, how much worse they would feel if they met a defeat when officially entered as a Gridley High School crew---for the honor of their school was dear to them all.
The noonday meal was over before one o'clock.

Dick would not allow the "Scalp-hunter" to be put in the water a minute before two.

He wanted to be sure that digestion had proceeded far enough so that they might do their best.
At the time appointed, however, he took the crew out on the water, and there carefully explained what he thought he had learned of the better paddling style of the Preston High School boys.
"You certainly did see a whole lot that I didn't see," Reade admitted, "and I believe that you saw it straight, too, Dick." "We can certainly shoot the old canoe ahead faster, already," Dave murmured delightedly.
"Now, Dick, what are the improvements you thought you might have on the Preston style ?" Danny Grin asked eagerly.
"To-morrow will be time enough to try out improvements, or any kind of frills," Prescott answered patiently.

"For this afternoon let us confine ourselves to paddling as well as the Preston High School fellows do it.