Litchfield enquirer., 1877-08-09
The cunnery Encampment.
SECOND WEEK.-RAIN.-THE FARMERS HANG UP THEIR sCYTHEs AND CRY FOR THE GUNNERY TO GO HoME.-AQUATIC AND ATHLETIC sPoRTs-A HIGH OLD TIME.

UP THEIR SCYTHES AND CRY FOX THE
 GUNNERY TO GO HoME.-AoUATC AND ATHLETIC sPoRTs-A
 HIGH OLD TIME.
 The wind veered round to the Northeast, on Friday, the 27th. and blew steadily from that quarter fof more than q week. An incipient deluge set in, and rude preparations for an ark were con- templated. The weather was more than ever the everlasting topic of conversation and inquiry. Brave spirits with ardor somewhat dampened. sung to the tune of "Johnny comes marching home," the chorus of the camp song of two years ago.
 '.And the rain came a-pouring down,
 When the Gunnery marched to camp" Happily. however, the rain was not continuous and with single exception, there was no interruption to the daily program of amusements.
 The morning succeeding the religious exercises described in our last report, opened dull and gray. But the "Girls Race" announced to. take place at Il was proceeded with. There were four entries. Mrs. Mary G. Brinsmade, (daughter of MT. Gunn,) and Miss Fannie Brown in the Swallow" Misses Emma Colton and Mary Brown in the ''Lulu;" Misses Grace Howard, and Louise Gregory in the sIvanhoe;" and Misses Susie Howard, and Jennie Ford in the s.olga. Messrs F. W. Gum and W. 0. Hagan acted as judges.
 Of course every one will want to know in what costumes the young ladies rowed. The dress prescribed for masculine rowers is more properly undress. It is nearly as scant as the uniform of the Georgia Ran- ger-a paper collar and pair of spurs. But in the absence of any regulation as to attire for female competitors at the oar, these rowers appeared in their gypsy costume. blue or gray. gaily set off with red or blue facings. It was pretty sight and quite eclipsed anything in the mascu- line line we have ever seen. The campers, reinforced by large number of visitors lined the banks, and nume ous boats dotted the placid water. At the pis- tol shot, all started with spurt, and the "Lulu" and the "Ivanhoe" having lost their heads slightly in the uuwonted excitement, came in such unpleasant prox- imity, that foul was inevitable. From this, however, they speedily extricated themselves and darted away for the stake boat about third of mile distant. The ''Swallow" led by several lengths, but taking longer course, was gradually overhauled by the "Lulu," and between them the race was hotly contested. As they turned the stake boat a cheer went up from the respective packers, and all watched with eager expectation the ap- proach. AS they neared the finish, shouts of ''Go it Swallow" Shake her up, Lu- lu, ," and kindred exclamations more ener- getic than refined, greeted the contest ants, and when the "Swallow" crossed the line two boat.lengths in advance of the ''Lulu," deafening yell of congratu- lation startled the country round. A sug- gestion that the victors be borne on the shoulders of the crowd to their tents, after the manner of Yale and Har- yard, was over-ruled and the ladies were permitted to receive their ovation on the feet and-ankles which nature gave them. The "Ivanhoe" came III third, and the ''Olga' reluctant fourth, thus clear l ly entitling it to the sucked orange which was threatened as a prize to the laziest crew. In fact it began to be questioned whether the last named was coming in at all, and some one proposed re christening the tub" the "Hearse. D and sending1t across the ocean to Ven- etian undertaken. It did arrive at last, however, and the exercises proceeded.
 John Andrews, the Bugler- in-chief and therefore the biggest blower ill camp, sounded the assembly," and all repaired to the lake slope in front of the camp, where, all the contestants being drawn up in line, Colonel Horatio 0. King. in a brief laudatory and humorous speech pre- sented the several prizes. To the first and second crews were awarded a"Golden Pail" of paper collars garnished with a lemon and smothered in candies, to the third, lemons and box of Sardines (alI personal reflection being especially disa- vowed) and to the laggards, package of candy which Miss Ford was generously cautioned to eat all alone, to her own as well as the discomfort of her partner in the race. This little episode afforded conversational entertainment for the rest of the day between the showers; and a grand sing in the girls big tent. or as 1t is stated here the big girls tent, made all forgetful of the deluge in progress on the outside.
 On Tuesday,a swimming match, from it's rarity and novelty. excited general inter. est. At II, "Judge" Gum, called time, and Messrs. W. B. Beach, S. Gamble, George Colton and Harry Howe, the swimmers of the first class, appropriately clad, took their places in the boats se- lected to follow each contestant. At the signal of the pistol. all. dived together and struck out manfully for the goal, three hundred yards away. Beach and Gamble crossed the line simultaneously, and Oolton and Howe followed in the or der mentioned. The second class swim mers. including several little aquatics who do not weigh over seventy-five pounds each, then fell into line. The aspirants for honor and fame were masters W. Bar ton, o. Vail, R. Bontacore. Harry Potts and Ed. Robinson. At the signal, all sprang into the water with the grace and agility of experienced frogs. The race was over the same course and for a time was very close. The spectators caught | fha ovo o~l kLo