The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-10

and then torn over to fall asleep on the other
side. The sloop had covered the ten miles OF
the stretch in about fifty minutes. or at the
rate OF twelve knots.
Once more she reached away. and this time
for home. IL had been broad reach out and
now 1t was n reach not quite SO broad. With a
glance OF approval at the speed with which
her small jbtopsail now came into view. the
sharps once moro turned. watch in hand, to
time the follower
But the blooded shippers Of the excursion
fleet were not waiting to see her round Just for
the sake OF allowing sharps to take the time.
They were heading away for the home stake
and talking Sunday school talk" about the
nremen in the stoke hole who couldn't make
steam fast enough to please the impatient
souls.
The valkyrie was timed. however. by the
Cybing of her sniLand that was near enough to
satisfy the patriotic throngs that looked on
eagerly. The flying Yankee had gained about
four minutes in the broad reach Of ten miles
out to sea. She had, as the sharps figured it
close to seven minutes to her credit after
making all allowances. There had been no
great footing or cheering at either turn. but it
was not for lack OF an inspiring condition OF
affairs 1t was simply a whooping day for the
American eagle.
SMOKING DRIVE FOR HOME.
Steadily but slowly tho wind canted to west
ward and grow In weight The solid green
OF the seas became fecked and dashed
with snowy white and the air filed with
salt spray. The skipper Of the sloop hauled
down his jibtopsai! and fattened aft his
sheets. The sharp bow spirited the spray in
air. where the wind caught 1t and tossed 1t
aloft in shimmering clouds. The bubblng wake
Iar a.l a.
blast till tho rail dragged up the spoondrift
from out the deep. the sloop drove smoking
home.
AS the little jibtopsail was hauled down on
the leader. the yachting sharps turned to see
how the ValKyrie was dressed. The first
glance made them shrek for Joy. for the cutter
was hull down astern.
The fat red hulk rose out OF the northern
sea. The flagship anchored with the great
red ball alost. as she had done when the race
was started. Beyond and to the east and to
the west. and stretching away to southwest ON
either side OF the course gathered the welcom-
ing feet. Into this great amphitheatre and
over its snow-fecked green swept the mighty
sioop.freightedwitht the hopes and Joys of all the
millions Of Americans: and tens of thousands
of spectators stood up to bid her welcome
Never had her equal been seen before. Never
had any yachtsman there been thrilled as now.
Breathless they saw her fly before them.
THE vIGIANT's GREAT VICTORY.
The great American eagle crouched low and
then as she crossed the line leaped with wide
spread wings screaming into the air.
Far away. and in looks tiny spire OF canvas
that rose out Of the waves came the British
cutter. Regardless OF the courtesy due to the
defeated stranger. the Iron Steamboat Com
pany's Cygnus and the sdewheeler Water
bury steamed across her bow leaving boiling
wakes for her to enter.
In vain the flagship and the guarding tugs
protested with mighty blasts Of their whistles.
But for this nothing would have marred the
delight OF that great host OF spectators as
they welcomed the loser. She was the queen
OF all that had come to seek the cup. She had
had race with tack and reach and growing
gale for making 1t. She had beaten all other
cutters-there was no doubt about that-but
she had to yield to the centreboarder. 1t only
remained to get her time. and this was quickly
done.
The Yankee sloop had sent her away close
hauled under the lee. but not q second behind.
A closer start was never made. But when she
crossed the home line again the Yankee had
gained IN actual time by the official log II
minutes and % seconds. 1t was as fair q race
as was ever sailed. and. all things considered.
the greatest victory known to yachting history
had been won
AS she crossed the line each racer held to
the north'ard until clear OF the ruck OF vessels
gathered there Then each came up into the
wind and went cruising of to westward. The
Yankees crew meantime listed her sails with
impatient haste. and then. when all was snug.
stood about the decks. with arms akimbo. and
admired themselves when they had to: but
when they could went below and ate and
drank as the starved and famished do.
The crew Of the Valkyrie held on to most OF
their canvas. and with mainsail and lib headed
away for port without steam aid. to the won
der OF the experienced. for that has rarely. II
ever. been done.
THE RACE FOR HOME.
With the sun sinking slowly into the smok-
ing haze ofthe west. the excursion fleet turned
one by one away for port. The fastening wind
tapped and snapped their bunting and drove
the tumbling waves headlong against their
rounded bows. The spectators with contented
souls and tired limbs sought for refreshment:
but the blood Of the shippers was warmed with
O fire that would not down. Not one but had his
pet bad friend whom he knew he could beat and
he went cruising for him. And when the
enemy was found there was iingllng OF bells
and q frantic appeal through engine room
tubes for little more steam. though the safety
valves were a-lifting ut the time But before
the point OF the Hook was reached the slick
ones had left the other kind. and half an hour
later there was procession that stretched the
length Of the lower bay-from the Narrows to
the point OF the Hook.
The ViRilant had crossed the line at 2:5O:0l
O'Clock. and by some who had cheered her
over 1t were of the piers OF the metropolis
The story OF the most satisfying race in the
history OF neutrality-suspicious. from the Amer
lean point OF view-was complete.