The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-08-07
"Are Won raadu2 Gnrn

In flash off darted the boats. Twig FL
der's crew began to pull wildly, but soon
came into order.
Toms boat Tapped Solomon's by six in
ches. Twig's came half length behind.
Stald old farmers broke into trot, ana,
headed by the village doctor, followed along
the bank, keeping pace with the boats;
There were cries of "Now then, Solomon
Gibbsw Go ahead, No. 2P' Pull, Twlg,
pulp
round the tuning stake, Solomon now boat
| length In advance, briskly pursued by Tom.
Now came the tug of war, for wind and
wave were both against them, on the home
stretch. :.
| the water against their bows. 1t caught
their oars and tried to snap them in two. 1t
blinded their eyes with spray; until sudden
ly. there was cry of terror from the shore
-Twig Elders boat had gone under
There was a brief moment of fear, and
then all four boys scrambled to the Shore
Never for moment did Solomon or Tom
falter, though Toms boat was heavy with
water in its bottom. In five minutes it was
of no use to struggle.
ROW to shore and bail outl" shouted Mr..
ID. Algernon; and there was no choice but
to obey.
just then Solomon's boat was seen head
Ing for the opposite bank She was full
also.
~
Even Mr.. Crockett, ST., said, "Give it upp'
but the boys were too excited to do that now.
1t was tussle to see which crew would be
ready first to start afresh.
Atone and the same moment they pushed
once more into the stream, Solomon still a
trifie ahead. The crowd on the bank called
out encouragingy. The boys tugged. The
breeze, evidently thinking it game all got
ten up for its especial benefit, whisked up
and down, blew high and low, and threw
pailfuls Of water into the boats.
1t was in vain that Tom took off his cap to
bail. That boat was doomed. Deeper and
deeper 1t sat in the river. At last under it
went, when only fifteen lengths from the goal.
:. In TACT It turned completely over, and when
It rose to the top was bottom upwards, while
mendous splashing. Tom remembered that
bod Ames, who pulled bow" could not
swim, and caught him by the collar.
"Get hold of the boat, Dod." he cried. "As
for the rest of you-mind, now-haul the
craft along and swim like whales-every one
of you'll
There was great shout from the spectators
when, dragging the boat, the plucky three
| struck out not for the shore, but for the goal
bod Ames hanging, dead weight, to an out
| rigger. Solomon's crew r0wed-Tom's swan
| behind.
You should have heard Philemon and Ro-
meo Augustus cheer. You should have be-
held the academy girls wave their handker-
chiefs. You should have seen Farmer Brown
Jump right up and down, calling out "Sakes
and daisies! Sakes and daisies! Sakes and
daisies!' without an idea of what he was say
ing.
OF course Solomon's boat first gained the
goal, and then those four boys set up yell,
to encourage the brave swimmers behind.
On they came battling the waves. The wind
roared, the water Kissed.
Come out, you idiots" shouted Mr..
Crockett.
''Swim. boys. swim hard!" cried II. Alger-
non.
80, Tommy Tommy! !" shrieked little Milly
"Hurrah H1rrah! Hurrah!' cheered the
crowd.
'Whe--w! Whe-e-ew-Whe-e 7"
whistled that wicked wind.
There was one final effort; one more strong
dash forward. The boat grazed the stake.
The second prize was won
Kind hands drew them, blue with cold, out
Of the water. Some ran for hot drinks, some
for blankets. Old Mr.. Crockett, beside him.
self at the result OF his own rashness, caught
Tom Tyrrell in his arms, and rushed with
all the way for daring to get swamped, and
tucked him, numb with cold. between two
feather beds. In came Mrs, Crockett and
Miss Belinda with bags Of hot water and two
bottles of Jamaica ginger. They rubbed
him, they dosed him.
AT last, with chattering teeth, he was able
to ask for bod Ames and the rest. They
had been carried to different houses and put
to bed; and such healthy little fellows were
they all, that, when evening came, from the
way they ate ice cream, you wouldn't have
believed they ever knew what it meant to
shiyer.
Miss Belinda herself bestowed the prizes,
blue caps and all; for Twig Elders crew
should not be ducked for nothing. Mr.. II.
beamed on ALL
Didn't tell you that if the boats swamped
they could swim? Tut! tut! tut!" said he.