The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-08
THE MORNING SUNDAY DECEMBER 1s9-TwEIvE PAGES

OF the snow yacht is simply pole about ten
feet In length, fitted with broad end,
which can be turned at the will of the pilot,
so as 10 dig into the snow, and SO obtain a
good purchase, or, when running before the
wind, it can be left to trail behind. These
boats sail very fast in good wind, and are
fairly easy TO manage, the only difficulty
I being found by inexperie cced mariners IN
putting them about If brought up too
suddenly she will not get quite round, and
Will jam right in the wind, and uuless the
| occupants have snow-shOes on board, and
so can get Out and boost her round,
they are likely TO have a hard time.
Without snow shoes the weight Of the boat
VIII push the men into the snow, instead Of
their efforts moving the boat. 1t will be
readily seen that this boat is simply an
adaptation of the idea Of the Fijian in his
double canoe, which is applied 10 the snow
surface instead Of water. 1t is expected
that by means Of the snow yacht, the mails
on the western prairies will this year be de-
livered during several months Of the year,
when previously it has been practically I'M
possible.
KITES AS MOTIVE POWER FOR SKATERS.
Another novel idea that should fad favor
with our boys this year is the adaptation
of kite-hying to the ice. We all know that
many days, when one goes out for skate,
the wind blows too strong for any comfort,
and we are obliged TO Just skim up and
down some shady spot so as to escape the
buffeting and hard work of beating back
against the wind. On such day, if the
wind be moderately across the river, a lot
OF fun may be had by means of the kite
laid away since the summer; or better still,
by one especially made for the purpose.
The square or six-sided kite is the best
shape, and. if specially made, it should be
made with extra stout ribs and back, or, if
an old one is used, it should be recovered
and strengthened
:, The cord should be very imuch stouter
and longer than usual, for the more resist
ance that is applied, the higher it viii be
necessary to let the kite go. Having every
thing In readiness, get friend to hold the
kite, and start in the usual way, skating q
short distance against the wind to get it
up" Then turn and let the kite draw
you. 1t is well known how very little it
takes to keep person on skates moying,
after once being set in motion, and it will
be readily understood what the motive
power Of fairly large kite will be-
Inc greatest fun, however, does
not consist in simply holding
on to the kite, and being drawn
in straight line along the ice; 20 get the
maximum of pleasure learn to coast with
it. Have the cord wound upon q good
thlcz stick, long enough to give q good pnr-
chase to both hands and stout enough to
bear the pressure without breaking in the
middle Hold this with bent arms in front
OF your chest, and turn your feet slightly to
the right, how far to turn them cannot be
explained in words, your own judgment of
the pull Of the kite must guide you If it is
not very strong it will be possible to go
nearly in a straight line across the ice, and
turning, come back nearly as straight, but if
1t Is bowling hard, and.the pull is strong, a
more slanting direction will be necessary.
1t Will be found necessary when the pull
comes to incline the body from the kite, as
II ODE were doing the ''Outside edge" so as
to get more resistance and then it is neces-
sary to watch the wind carefully and be on
the lookout for sudden puffs, which, if not
anticipated. may result in an unexpected
fall at the sudden jerk of the kite or the
equally sudden let up of the pull. Properly
managed, the kite will take the flyer skim
ming along, coaSting here and there across
tue Ice, or running straight ahead
before the wind, describing zig
gag, or any other figure he
pleases. This is very popular sport among
the boys in Eastern and Middle Europe.
and the boy here who first introduces it to
his section will have an enviabie time. |
have also seen boys make light frame
work Of lumber like raft and put it upon
runners made of a pair Of discarded wagon
shafts cut to an edge and securely fastened
to the raft, and then. getting their kites
we'll up, run down in the rude sleigh with
half dozen of them sitting on it, their
Kites drawing them along, the steering being
done by boys les dragging out behind, ia
the same way that a toboggan is guided.
DAVID WECUSLER