The sun., 1893-10-06

Retner, the WORKING iip was hotSteu unu ule
staysail was broken out.
Instantly. with her beautiful white spin
maker still drawing. the Valkyrio began to
overhaul the Yankee, and almost before the
spectators had comp prehended what the Vigil
lant's skipper was trying to do the English
yacht had como up abeam Of the Yankee cup
defender.
Then the wind having really at last come out
OF the southwest, the Yalkyrles spinnaker fell
quickly into her fore hold. staysai jib. and fly
ing Glib we're spread aloft. sheets were hauled
fiat aft. and the conditions that had thrilled
the hearts OF the patriotic American spectators
became wholly reversed. The British cup
seeker was leading tho Yankee defender
vIGlIANT IN THE DoLDRuMs.
Nor was that the worst OF it. In some way
that the spectators could not comprehend the
Nigilants head sngged Off to loewnrd with the
tide and there she lay like u ship in irons. so
to speak. though stern on to the wind. for full
ten minutes. Not only was she net making
an inch toward the stakeboat: she was
for at least seven minutes headed about
northeast. or almost dead away from
the stake boat. and drifting In that direction
continually. The yacht sharps said humor-
ouely that the Valkyrie took the vigiant's
wind as she passed and carried 1t along with
her And SO 1t appeared to be to every one.
Certainly the Vigant was for ten minutes he-
yond the control OF her crew. to the great mys-
ttcation OF every one not on board Of her.
1t was a mighty anxious ten minutes for the
patriotic American spectators. because during
all the time thatthe Vtgilant was uncontrolled
the Valkyrie was Logging 1t for the turn stake.
To the anxious spectators she seemed flying
like scared deer. though. in fact. the wind
was but light and the snecd moderate.
L,,a oT a1, "A .I,a
off the boom. tho Eigilant got headway. and
then her nose came around where 1t belonged.
Tho jibs that had been hauled down mean
time were set again, q big jibtopsail was set
above all. and straightway she began to move
through the water.
But an ominous quiet reigned throughout
the excursion feet. The Nalkyrie. when tho
Viglant began to move. was at the least five
eighths OF a mile ahead and very likoly three
quarters. Some estimated the lead at more
than o mile Nothing short OF miraculous
speed on the part OF tho white sloop-a speed
OF which even her best friends did not be-
lieve her capable-could Save the day. In tho
minds Of every spectator who know anything
about yacht racing the Valhyris's skipper had
by superior seamanship beaten the ViGant
to death. TO their minds the only thing that
could prevent the days race going to the VAL
kyrie was a fuke-a failure of the wind that
would prevent her covering the course within
the six hours prescribed by the conditions OF
the race.
APPRoAC ING THE sTAKEBoAT.
For time after tho Vigilant got under way
again che held hetter breeze than did her
smart rival ahead. Her sails drew beautifully,
while those OF the Valkyrie fiapped for want
OF breeze to I'll them. or course she gained.
and it looked somewhat encouraging for her.
But that was only q bit Of luck. The Nalkyrie
got the breeze pretty soon, and thereafter. so
far as any ono afoat could see. the wind being
light. and sheets fiat aft, the British boat more
than held her own.
1t was lazy sail The stakeboat. which
came into view by 2 O'clock seemed long
way of. and there was q possibility Of luke
impending. However that might be. tho Brit
ish tars took the matter coolly enough. sitting
with their legs hanging over the leo rail and
the salutations OF the excursion
boats that came up alongside to leeward 1t
was such lazy race. indeed that the slowest
old tub OF steamer in the fleet could
keep up with the procession. and SO it hap
pened that the white sloop was pretty we'll de-
serted after the stakeboat came in view. the
fleet preferring the company of the leader. 1t
was sorrowful condition OF affairs for the
proud Yankee. but her managers seemed to
nave brought IL upon themselves.
AS the stakeboat was approached the breeze |
picked up briefly. and never a quiver was to
be seen in the sells Of the black cutter. It was
a delight to watch her then. for she slid over
the low seas with scarce ripple forward. and
left the water astern with never trace of a |
pa ssing boat to mark it. In spite OF its wrn-
kles. her huge mansail stood UP as fiat as q |
house wall. and the shaking leach that has |
marred every other cup seek er. was not seen |
On the Valkyrie. She was indeed. as she ap-
preached the mark. beyond criticism. at least |
sho was beyond prejudice.
THE vALKyRIE ROUNDS.
She had not exactly proved herself the faster |
boat. but she had won her outward voyage In q |
way that disarmed any Ill feeling that might |
have arisen under different circumstances
That she was not the object Gf any Ill feeling
was seen plainly In the doings OF the excur-
sion fleet.
The skippers OF these boats crowded around
md got In her way. Just rs they have done to
he Yankees who have always led in rreced-
ng races where there were excursion
leets. Even the fish boat passed at an
,hor checred the cutter. And so at last. sur
'ounded by admlring followers. like some
champion fighter with his friends impeding
Ms footste cps. the turn was found beneath the
eaders bows
The excursion fleet had then formed In a
luge ellpse-one that WAS almost n mile by
lalf mile In its two diamsters and well nigh
'olid with ships. Atth stak eboat the line was
more than unbroken. for thero the vessels
apped and lay In ranks half dozen deep
Away of to the north. where the Nigilant
begged along, there was only here and thore q
'ossel to indicate the outline OF the ellipse
Because the wind had headed her off q trife
he Palkyrie failed TO fetch the mark by half a
! mile. 1t was hard luck A tack was neces-
ary to make the turn. and n tack meant loss
II time. when every moment was precious
leading. after tho tack. into the eye OF tho
un the Valkyrie sailed along before the line
u steamers formed to watch her.
The long spinnaker boom was gotten up to
'ort Sailors were seen going aloit TO handle
all lun was made. but she could not round
he mark There was another tack OF perhaps
hree boat lengths. another step to reach pnst
he mark. and then the sporting blood OF the
teamer shippers could stand 1t no longer.
Renching for the whistle cords while yetFhe