Mower County transcript., 1869-09-16

first hundred yards, that Jack was DOunulnS
and scrambling and barking along by tho
very edge of the stream; above all, he was
Just as we'll aware as If he had been looking
at it, Of a stalwart form in cap and gown,
bounding along brandishing the long boat
hook, and always keeping just opposite the
boat: and amid tho Babel OF voices, and
the dash ana pulse of the stroke, and tho
laboring Of his own breathing, he heard
Hartly's voice coming to him again and
agAin, and clear as if there had BEEN no
other sound IN tho air. ''Stendy, two!
steady! we'll pulled steady, steady The
voice seemed to give him strength and keep
him to his work. And what work it was |!
he had had many hard pull in the last
six weeks, but never Nught lire this.
But it cannot last forever; mems muscles
are not steel, or their lungs bulls hide,
tlred miles an hour long, without bursting.
The St. Ambrose boat is we'll away from the
boat behind, there is agreat gap between
tho accompanying crowds; and now rs they
near tho Gut, she hangs for moment or
two in hand, and though the roar from the
bank grows louder and louder. and Tom is
already aware that the st. Ambrose crowd
is melting into the one ahead of them.
"We must be close to Exeter" The
thought flashes into him, and, into tho rest
( of the crew at the same moment; for, nll Mt
once, tho strain seems to be taken of their
arms again; there is no moro drag; she
springs to the stroke as she did at the start;
and Miller's face, which had darkened for
n few seconds, lightens up again.
Miller's face and attitude are study.
Coilei up into the smallest possible space,
his chin almost resting on his knees, his
hands close to his sides, firmly but lightly
feeling the rudder, rs a good horseman
handles the mouth of free-going hunter;
if coxswain could make a bump by his
own exertions, surely he will do it. No
sudden jerks of the st. Ambrose rudder
will you see, watch ~ you will from tho
bank the boat never hangs through fault
of his, but easily and gracefully rounds
every point. you're gaming! you're
gaining |" he now and then mutters to the
captain, who responds with a wink, keeping
his breath for other matters. Isn't he
grand, the captain, as he comes forward
like lightning, stroke after stroke, his back
flat, his teeth set, his whole frame working
from the hips with the regularity of ma
chine? Az the space still narrows, the
eyes of the fiery little coxswain flash with
excitement, but he is far too good a judge
to hurry the final effort before the victory
is safe in his grasp.
The two crowds are mingled now and
no mistake: and the shouts come all in a
heap over the water. ''Now, st. Ambrose,
six strokes more" '.Now, Exter, you're
gaining, pick her up." ''Mind the Gut,
Exter.' ''Bravo, st. Ambrose The
water rushes by, still eddying from the
strokes of the boat ahead. Tom fancies
now he can hear their oars and the work.
ings OF their rudder, and the voices Of their
coxswain. In another moment both boats
are in the Gut. and q perfect storm of
shouts reaches them from the crowd as it
rushes madly off to the left to the foot
bridge, amidst which, "Oh, well steered,
we'll stored, st. Ambrose !" is the prevail
ing cry. Then Miller, motionless rs q
statue till now, lifts his right hand, and
whirls the tasselround his head. ''Giyo it
to her now; boys; six strokes and we're into
them" !0ld Jeryis lays down that great
broad back, md 1ashes His onr through the
aator with the might Of a giant, the crew
catch him up in another stroke, the tight
new boat answers: to the squirt, and Tom
feels little shock behind him, and then o
oars, bow and three !" and the nose of tho
St. Ambrose boat glides quietly up the side
of the Exter, till it touches their stroke
oar. r. Mi'- :'f" @'7
Y .sTake carawhere you're coming to-" 1t
is the coxsw"in vain Of the. the bumped boat who
speaks. ''-'.'
n Tom: finds himself within q, foot or two
Of him when he looks round; and, being
utterly unable to contain his Joy, and yet
unwilling to exhibit it before the eyes Of a
-, = -:
and begins telegaphihg to Hardy. i'~.' :
. '.Ncw, then, ,Iwhat are you at there insthe
bows? Cast her of, quick. Come, look
alive! Push across at once out of the way
of the other boats.r .y'::. ,:,u '''''H
Il congratulate you,. Jervis, ., says the
Exeter stroke, as The st. Ambrose boat
shoots past him. ;!,;Do it again next; race;
and i shan't care"
"We Mere within three lengths Of Brazen-1
nose when We bumpetl,' says the all-obser-
want Miller, in low voice. -.,s..,o
"All right, answers the Captain. r.. ".8ra-
zen-nose isn't SO strong rs usual. We
shan't have much trouble there, but tough
,'Brazen- nose was better steercd than
Exeter" . RI. ..,.,.
s'They n,uffed it in tho Gut, eh?" said the
captain: II Thought SO by the shouts"
ayes. we were pressing them a little
down below, and their coxswain kept look
ing over his shoulder. He was in the Gut
before he knew it, and had to pull his left
hand hard, or they would have fouled the,
Oxfordshire- corner. That stopped thoir'
way, and in they went"
i .Brayo and how well we started too" =
r"Yes,a thanks to; that Hardy: It was
touch and go though; l couldn't have held
the rope two seconds more"
show did onr fellows work? She drag
ged good deal below the Gut" :?
Miller looked somewhat serious, but even
he cannot be finding fault just now; for the;
first. step is gained, the first victory won;
and, as Homer sometimes mods, so Miller
relaxest the .sternness, of his rule: The
crew. as. soon rs they have found their:
voices again, laugh and talk and answer the
Congratulations; Of their friends. as the,
boat slips along close to the tow
ing path of Tie British; side,
"easy all," almost keeping pace, never
theless, with the lower boats, which are
racing up under the willows OH the Oxford
shire side. Jack, after one or two feints,
makes frantic bound into the water, and
is hauled dripping wet into the boat by
Drysdale, .unchid by Miller, but to the in
tense disgust of Diogenes, whose pantaloons
and principles are alike outraged by the
proceeding. He-the Cato Of the oar
scorns to relax the strictness of his code,
even after victery won. Neither word nor
look does he cast to the exulting st. Am
brosians ON the bank; q twinkle in his eye,
and subdued chuckle ortwo, alone betray
that though an oarsman he is mortal. Al
1rv1 1,n ~ AL
of an early walk under q few pea-coats, not
boy3 that he tried his stretcher enough in
that final spnrt, and thinking that there
must be an extra pound of flesh on him
or other the did the mischief.
II soy, Brown" said Drysdalo, show do
you feel?
can right" said Tom; Il never felt
jollier in my life.'
"By Jove, though, it was m awful grind;
didn't you wish yourself we'll out Of it be-
low the Gut?"
mo, nor you either"
didn't though! I was awfully baked,
my throat is like a lime-kiln yet. What
did you think about 2"
swell, about keeping time, l think"
said Tom, laughing, ''but can't remem-
Der much.'
II only kept on thinking how 1 hated
those devils in the Exeter boat. and, how
dono up Nloy must be, ana hoping their
Number 2 felt like having fit"
At this moment they came opposite the
Cherwell. The leading boat was just pass
ing the winding-post, off the University
barge, and the band struck up the "Con-
quering Hero" with crash. And while
mighty sound of shouts. murmurs and
music went up into the evening sky, Miller
shook the tiller-ropes again, the captain
shouted, .Now, then, pick her up." and