Yesterday, as in most of the class races of the last few years, the college was treated to surprises of the most unexpected kind. Rowing experts who had watched the crews carefully and placed their money accordingly, went home sadly disappointed, and with far less faith in their judgment in such uncertain events as those of the class races. Most of the orders with Ninety-five second were considered worthless and few had the confidence to name Ninety-four a winner. The favorite crew was, by all means, Ninety-three, though the seniors were for the most part loyal to their colors. The freshmen in their tug cheered lustily for their crew, which responded nobly to the encouragement.

Ninety-four crossed the line a length ahead of the other crews, followed by Ninety-five, whose boat was a half length from Ninety-three's. Ninety-two brought up the rear a length and a half behind.

The rowing of all the crews was in much better form than last year, and the race itself was certainly more interesting. Not until after five o'clock did the crews put in an appearance, then Ninety-four was the first to take her position followed by Ninety-three, Ninety-two and Ninety-five. There was almost no delay in starting. Mr. Brooks, the referee asked each if it was ready, then gave the word to go. All four caught the water at nearly the same time. Ninety-five and Ninety-two were slightly slower than the other two, whose boats jumped forward almost at the same instant. Ninety-three immediately struck a very rapid stroke, as did the freshmen. Ninety-four and Ninety-two rowed more slowly, but the sophomore's stroke was long and powerful, sending them at once a few yards to the front. They then dropped the stroke to 35 a minute but the juniors kept theirs at 38. It was a short, quick stroke, but not as effective as Ninety-four's. The oars seemed to come out of the water before the force was really spent. The seniors kept up at a 36 rate and kept close with the others. The freshmen were now rowing a 38 stroke and keeping remarkably good time, while their form was excellent. They maintained this throughout the race, gradually pulling themselves into second place.

Just before reaching the Crescent Boat Club, Ninety-three slowed a little and rowed somewhat raggedly, while Ninety-two was showing up well. Ninety-two, Ninety-three and Ninety-five were then almost on a line, with Ninety-four a half length ahead.

Shortly after passing the boat house, Ninety-three took its first real spurt of the race, but did not succeed in making any noticeable gain. She then dropped to 35 strokes a minute, while the freshmen kept theirs at 38 and showed no signs of weakening. Ninety-two dropped to 33, and gradually fell behind, though her form was very good. Another spurt by Ninety-three just before reaching the bridge helped her but little. All four passed under the bridge, and on coming out Ninety-four lead by nearly a length. Ninety-five was second, about half a length ahead of Ninety-three, and Ninety-two had failed to make any gain and was rowing slightly out of time.

It was a pretty race from the Harvard Bridge down to the finish. The crowds along the wall and on the bridge cheered strongly, while the sophomore sympathizers on the grand stand, nearly went wild with joy when Ninety-four was seen to lead by a length. Both juniors and seniors now began to quicken their stroke perceptibly and the freshmen for a while showed a tendency to jab at the water, causing more or less splash, but soon recovered themselves. When the crews reached the stake boat, half way from the bridge to the Union Club, Ninety-two, Ninety-three and Ninety-five were rowing a 38 stroke, while Ninety-four kept hers at thirty-six.

The last half mile was a hard pull and the effects of the first part were being seen in the rowing of all the crews. Bow in Ninety-four was very weak toward the finish and rowed rather poorly, while the crew as a whole was swinging off its keel and had become a little careless. No. 7 in the Ninety-two crew was pretty well exhausted, but a spurt was called for and the men pluckily bent to their oars for a last effort, but with no perceptible difference, although the crew came in excellent form. Ninety-three made a pretty attempt to make up for lost ground. The men rowed together but with the same short stroke that characterized their work throughout the race. It was a desperate effort and gained them nearly a length on the freshmen, but the race was lost for them. The freshmen again hit up the stroke, this time to 40, and as a result they rowed a trifle raggedly. When the boats crossed the line Ninety-four and Ninety-three were both pulling at a 38 rate, Ninety-two at a 36 and Ninety-five at a 40.

The time made was 11 minutes and 8 seconds, which compares very favorably with former records.

Probably the greatest surprise of the race was not so much Ninety-four's success as the excellent showing made by the freshmen. It will serve as a great incentive to hard work for the race with Yale and Columbia. As the crew has shown what it is capable of, it may rest assured that nothing but victory will satisfy the college in the coming race.