Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-04-14

But STEADY and sure" is better
motto than make haste" 1t was but
short time after this before the Tracy
boys and Jack Hilliard, who had never
varied their fast but steady stroke,
came on In bunch, each stroke send
ing them nearer and nearer the four
struggling skaters at the front
These four were now going as fast
as they could, and with breath coming
and going in gasps, bodies bent low
and arms swinging, were skimming
with great swiftness over the ice toward
the goal which was now about two
miles away.
Nearer and nearer came the racers
to the starting-point. They were now
punched. At distance it could not
be seen who was ahead.
Suddenly out of the group darted
three tall figures, closely followed by
three more.
Now the skates glinted and cleaned,
and across the pond to the silent, ex-
pectant watchers-who, with too great
cagerness, had crowded across the
point marking the start-came the
swift, soft sound of the skates as they
| touched the ice.
Sam Williams, Joe Howard, viii
Walters and Harvey Simms, the four
who had rushed at the start, were fall
ing farther and farther back with each
second. They became aware that the
race, to them, was lost, and were max
ing no attempt to win it now.
AS the flying group came closer
Jack Hilliard, in his gaudy college
jersey, could be seen in the lead, while
close enough behind him to touch him
were Bob and Henry Tracy. John,
George and James Tracy were ten feet
farther back.
Just when Jack, Henry and Bob-for
it was evident that one of them would
win-were skating their best, and call
ing up that wonderful thing called
second wind" the crowd began to
fall back. They had discovered that
they were covering the line.
The skaters were almost upon them.
Henry had drawn little ahead of
jack when suddenly, with body bent
almost double, Bob glided between
them and took the lead.
Then a startling thing occurred. The
crowd was dissolving like smoke in a
wind; and as the last group broke and
ran, n little girl not more than five
years old was left standing unnoticed,
holding by rope low sled. She had
been overlooked in the gene raj scram-
BILE. Unmoving. unconscious that she
was in deadly danger, she gazed calm
ly at the three skaters who were al
most upon her.
Bob, in his bent position, did not see
her All his concentrated force and
attention were in his legs.
A little gasping cry from Henry, who
said afterward: II wonder now where
l got the wind FROM" warned Bob,
who quickly raised his head
He was too close to turn He could
not stop. The crowd on shore were
setting up tardy cry. 1t looked as il
he must crash into the child. She be-
gan to laugh, for her mind still real
lied no danger.
Quick as thought, Bob stopped,
caught the child in his arms and raised
her up. Then he sprang desperately
into the air in an endeavor to clear the
sled, but caught his'toe in the dangling
rope, and went down like a shot.
While he was in the air he made an
agile turn which brought him down
heavily upon his back. This saved the
child, who Rugged close to his breast
Like an arrow he slid, head first
with his burden, stunned and bruised
across the line-the winner
Behind him all was confusion. Jacl
and Henry had swerved slightly to one
side, just in time to take troopers
over the sled, which was flung by
Bob's fall directly in front of theil
skates.
Henry went first. After him, and OF
top, went Jack; and then-it was 81
sudden that they could not escape tn,
general downfall---in bunch went thu
three Tracy boys.
For moment before they crawlet
out, ruefully feeling their bruises, i
looked like an immense mound O
clothing which had sprouted innumer
able arms and legs Upon regaininl
their feet their first action was to con
gratulate Bob upon his presence o
mind and his success.
Squire Tonsvil presented the bicycl
to blushing Bob, amid the cheers o
the crowd. He aptly expressed tn
opinion Of all the spectators when h
said:
Bob, my dear boy-um! 1t give
me-upon my word l feel honored-i
presenting to you this here ney
tangled ridin' wheel that you have s
well won. And ! also wish to say
: voicin' the crowd, that we all admir-
your quick wit, q quick gliders and you
pluck. Take it and be happy."-Henr