High school and college sports are "clean." No underhanded tricks are resorted to by competitors for the sake of winning.
In the boathouse near by sat the members of both crews, mingling on the most friendly terms.

With them were some of the officials of the race.
Dotted along the water front of the hotel grounds were many little groups of waiting spectators in chairs, on campstools or sitting on the grass.
In the morning buoys had been set on the lake at each end of a measured course.

The course was to be a mile, around the upper buoy and returning to the starting line.

The usual rules of boat and canoe racing were to apply as to clear water, fouling and the like, as well as the right of way at the upper buoy in case the rival canoes were close together.
"It's half-past two o'clock now," announced the starter, glancing at his watch.
"At two-forty," stated the referee, "I shall order both canoes into the water.

As soon after that as each crew captain chooses he may put his men aboard and take such warming-up work as he may wish.