The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-06
A WINTER RACE.
An Ioeboat Adventure ON the
SusQuehanna River.

An Ioeboat Adventure ON the
SusQuehanna River.
It was bitterly cold afternoon in
December. On the river shore, in from,
of the little village of Port Treverton
were assembled nearly score of Een
and boys. The latter were largely in
the majority, and they were as noisy
| as most boys are. There was some ex.
cuse for excitement This was the day
iceboats- The finishing touches had
been put to them only that morning.
Very fascinating they looked, with
their fluttering white sails and pol.
ished runners, as they rested on the
CLASSY ice behind jutting promontory
of rocks and timber. They were alike
in size and construction. Each had q
movable runner behind, worked by an
ordinary tiller. Each was fitted with
sloop mainsail and lib. The Alfratta
belonged to Andy Clayton and Frank
SNYDER; the Elf to Phil Wardle and
Jack Salyard.
The four lads were chatting together
in low tones, and paying no heed to the
impatient shouting of the crowd. The
advisability of postponing the race
was the subject Of their conversation.
ANDY wanted to wait until the next
day. Phil and Jack vehemently op.
posed this, and Frank was inclined to
side with them. Andy was less rash and
impetuous than his companions. he
knew. But he had streak of caution
in his nature, and he hesitated to incur
needless peril for the sake of racing his
rivals iceboat.
The danger was more than inagin-
ary. Out beyond the shelterlng prom
ontory fierce wind swept and howled
down the broad, fro zen surface of the
Susquehanna. Here and there it lifted
the white patches of snow and drove
them forward in swiriing, mist-like
clouds. Such gale was rarely known
at this time of year. 1t had been blow
ing all day and showed no signs of
abating.
20, come," said Phil whats the
use of putting it off for alittle wind?"
THAT makes the sport all the bet.
Ger" added Jack. eve can run down
20 Halifax like a streak.
''But it's more than little wind" de-
clared Andy. "It's a regular hurricane.
the boats. Well be blown into some
of the big air holes that lie between
here and Halifax"
mo danger" replied Phil "The
wind amt that strong. Jack and l can
manage the Elf, I'm sure. What do You
think about it, Frank?"
'I'll leave it to Andy" was the reply.
''As far as the air holes go. think we
can steer clear of them"
Andy shaded his eyes with one hand
and looked out over the ice. 81 don't
want to spoil the fun" he said. but
we had better wait until tomorrow.
The wind may d>op over night. 1t will
be really dangerous to race now"
you're making big fuss about moth
ing" replied Phil, half angrily. "It's
shame to disappoint every one l
guess you're afraid the Elf will beat
the Alfratta in such good wind" He
turned his back on Andy, and moved
toward the crowd. There won't be
any race to-day" he shouted. Don't
you hear the cyclone out on the river?
Andy is afraid we'll be blown down to
Chesapeake bay!"
The disappointed spectators began to
,hoot and jeer. Some few shook their
heads wisely. Andy's face flushed. He
sat down on rock near the edge of the
shore.
Amid the confusion plump, rosy
checked little lad, about nine years old.
ran up to Phil and caught hold of him.
This was Phils brother. and, though
there was only seven years difference
between them, Dick regarded the elder
as full-grown man, and looked up to
him accordingly.
Take me for ride on your iceboat,
Phil" he pleaded. just little one.
Please do"
Phil shook his head. He was not in
the humor for sport Then. seeing tho
shadow of disappointment on the lads
face. he relented.
Come on, Dick" he said ''rn give
you short spin. You mustn't ask for
more"
''No, WON'T" promised Dick, as he
eagerly followed his brother over the
ice.
Phil had no intention of going be-
yond the shelteripg bank of rocks aud
trees. But his plan miscalculated, as
plans often will When the outermost
verge of the promontory was eight or
ten feet distant he concluded to slaclten
speed. just then, as ill-luck would
have it, his foot tripped on projecting
ridge of ice. The rudder was jerked
out of his hand and he sprawled head
long. He rose to his feet as quickly as
possible ind started after the runaway
iceboat, which was gliding slowly to-
ward the open river. The loud outcry
told him that the crowd saw and re-
allied Dicks peril. Phil ran as be mad
never ran before. He strained every
muscle to overtake the fugitive. But
he was destined to fail. Just when
another stride would have seen his
hand on the tiller the Elf glided be-
yond the promontory. Then quickly
the wind filled her sails and swung her
around. Away she went at a frightful
speed, spinning diagonally down the
river. In almost less time than it takes
to tell she was fifty yards away. Little
Dick could be seen clinging to the seat,
apparently helpless with fright.
At first there was wild excitement
The crowd ran out on the ice. No one
knew what to do or what to suggest
Phil was the picture of despair and re-
morse. Ee started madly after the
boat, but seeing the folly OF it he turned