Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-10-08
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NUMBER sss.

sWaA-a-,oay,' owned by Mr.. G. W. Cowper. The
former had recently won great race at Brunswick
for one thousand dollars over the St. Matys. for
long time the crack boat of that section, and manned,
on the occasons by Minorcans from Florida, consid-
cred among the best oarsmen in the world. The Kate
Kenan is dug-out, forty feet long, three feet across
the centre, Of wedge shape, sharp at both ends,
and manned by six black oarsmen. The negroes
contrast with the white cotton shirts, which t the
person closely. and bring out in bold relief the play
of muscle and sinew. Her rival is of somewhat diff
ferent shape her bow rounding and her stern not ex-
actly sharp like the others, less in length by half
foot, and manned by an equal number Of oarsmen,
who dressed in striped Shirts covering their bo-
dies and arms entire. .-L eeg -r EazE ! 4N
Now the betting runs high, and we recollect such,
banters as the following made by our company I'lE
bet you two rounds of candy on the WaAk-a-s0ay,"
said fair lady to her husband, who replies" take
the BET, but if win who TO pay for t!'-a laugh.
A lady bantered me with, Ill bet you q pair Of
gloves that the Kate Kenan beats the Wakka suay,"
and Of course did refuse the offer, and then fol-
lowed wagers Of purses, and gloves. hats cigars and
treats, all of which were noted down ere the gun
fred for the race. ri
And now they come-the two best boats in the
country-the pride Of their owners and the boast Of
the slaves. How they dart through the water like
arrow shot from the bow, the men with the pre-
csion and regularity of machinery striking the fast
receding waves with the oars, the hemsmen bending
TO every stroke and encouraging their men with now
Iuy OTdVo OOySs pun your Itft~"IH IuC IdC0 diu
get the prasepull ha1d for the honor Of your boat"
Fhe excitement now became intense. As they
neared shout upon shout followed, handker-
chiefs waved, and all elsa was absorbed in the one
sight before The ladies', God bless them, shout
ed too, and rising in the boat gave themselves entire
ly up to the pleasant excitement Opposite to as the
boats STEM and Stem, and the result seemed
tremely doubtful. One vigorous pull, however, and
the Wuk-a-woy, true to her name, shoots ahead
least six feet. An oarsman "eatches q erab."
and the Kate Kenan nearly regains her lost grourd.
One hundred yards more and the race is over. every
is strained, every stroke tells, and the boats
themselves see n instinct with life an1 motion. A
few seconds more the goal is reached, and the Wak-
o,cay rides out triumphant, leading her competitor at
least third of length. Huzzas fll the air, joy
CLEANS in the faces of some, while others look blank
with disappointment. "The beater beat, p il IS too
bad. say the friends of the Kate Kenan, and we ply
your poor fellows who pulled so hard for the prize,
whilst your rivals greeted with hearty shakes Of
the hand and the congratulations awarded to success.
The next day received beautiful little note ac-,
companying the gloves had won. "Hurra for the
WaAa- ,Uay - shouted l. For next the pleasure
of success was that Of receiving memento of that
delightful gaIa-day from the hands of one, who will
always command the esteem and best wishes of your
humble servant. drew the gloves the next night
at military ball, list of May,) having received
invitation through the instrumenality OF those same
kind friends. Of this anon. B. {.