The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-25

lowed-every man holding his breath. Tho word
vas given by Mr. Scarf as sh. 27m. a., and at once
there began the gsmest puckiest and most exciting
aquatic contest ever rowed.
"Gor'
oxford was the nrst 70 catch the waser-as she
always II. It's her prcrogative. The Casper boat
;caped forward Cambridge. with the suave Shafto
~ the stroke oar got away smoothly and with vim.
There was no dangerous bending OF the oars cram
ing forward Of the necks, no splash--an GOODNESS
and precision. they had beaten q better crew On
their opinionj and could win agani Oxford showed
just M good form. The catch was strong and
sharp; the men slid as exactly the night
at the end Of a dozen strokes This lead she held
TO the Dukes Head Cambridge, rowing the slower
stroke Of the two, then drew up level half way be-
tween the Dukes Head and simmonds yard. on
the latter place. about furiong and half from tho
starting boats the light blues went ahead In their
turn. being about four feet in ADVANCE as near as
could be judged from astcrn, at the London boat
house.
TIN FIRST HALF MILE
As the two boats passed Bishops Creek. three
furlongs from the starting point anc half way up
the concrete wall side, the wind obliged the Cam
bridge ccxswain TO put on great deal OF rudder.
and this enabled oxford 20 draw up Just below the
site Of tho old half-mllc post. and at Craven Cot
tagc six nriongs from Putncy, the boats were
about level. Rounding the bend Oxford showed in
front and led by several feet. at the upper end OF
the cottage grounds being a third OF length in
'front.' or the Grass wharf. a mile having been ira
vcrsed, oxford stun led by the same distance II not
tribe more, but in crossing the water IN Crab Tree
than their opponents, commenced TO make up their
lecway. and at Crab Tree, two furlongs further,
Oxford only led by few feet. Between Crab Tree
and the soap works Cambridge kept coming up 10
the leading boat and drew level or the latter place.
AT the distillcry slightly mile ana four FUR
longs from tho starting point, Cambridge more
showed In front by some two or three feet, and
slightly increased her lead. passing under Hammer
smith Bridge "a furlong and half further on) with
an advantage OF between two and three feet.
THE FATED uAMMERSMlTH BRIDGE.
No sooner was the great gaping span of Hammer
smith Bridge seen direct ahead than both strokes
quickencd. Looking through, under the wire road
way, into the scene beyond, seemed like gazing at
picture in "The Pilgrims Progress" where bright
celestial glories await those who shall reach them
through dragonguaried gates. Chiswick Gardens
were seen IN the distance, and the OLD rcd-roofed
church--1t companion for the dingy red houses
We were In the country, shot into It from under
the BRIDGE and the country people were awake.
Londoners might sleep, but Chswck, Barnes and
Mortake were sure to have their bunting on the
anoat or ashore had any eyes for the beauties Of
nature. on BiGcns' boathouse both crews encoun-
tered rough water, but no change was made in the
relative position Of the boats until or the Doves
two miles from Putney where oxford, though on
the outside, gained slightly At the oil mills.
little over a furong from the Doves, she
drew up alongside and the two crews were in
imminent danger OF collision from a rowboat full
of people which pulled across their bows. Corncy
Reach is the traditional scene Of a struggle. Just
below the foot OF Chiswick Eyot oxford was once
more rowing faster, and was again In front, better
together than the Cambridge men, who seemed
much troubled by the rough water. About the
middle OF the Eyot oxford had increased her lead
to half length, as the rowing In the Cambridge
boat became short, and at ChiswicK Church, three
miles having been rowcd. the dark blue had in
creased her advantage to twotnirds OF a length,
the race being apparently no longer in doubt.
OXFORD SAFE TO WIN.
This was q supreme moment for every Oxford
man. The Cantabs were evidently feeling the pace
Rounding the bend, at the end OF the second reser
voir and the three mile point the water was found
much smoother and Cambridge began to overhaul
her antagonist. Here Marriott called TO his men
and, they responding, drove the stroke to thirty
eight. oxford regained her lost lead and drew al
most clear. An inch Of daylight across those two
Marriott and Edwardes-Moss 1t would have been
revenge At the point where the Lower Bridge
road comes ont on the towpath Cambridge made
another last and tremendous effort, but It only
reduced the lead few feet Barnes Bridge was
straight ahead. The Bulls Head tavern was abreast
on the lett Only three-quartcrs OF mile, and
oxford way ahead! | saw an open mouth near
me, and think that was what IL screamed In utter
frenzy She had her length again. Under the last
bridge they passed, Cambrdge's chances worthless.
But ere oxford drew out OF the shadow her boat
was seen suddenly to lurch to the right.
WHAT LOST A VICTORY.
Disaster! There was shout Of consternati ton.
Then for moment all shouts were silenced. OK.
onians wanted to know the worst: Cambridge men
desired to see whether they really possessed an