The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-11
IN ICEbOAT CHASE.


bled nearly a score of men and boys. The
latter were largely in the majority, and
they were as noisy as5nost boys,are. There
was some excuse for excitement. This was
the day fixed for the race between the rival
iceboats. The finishing touches had been
put to them only that morning. Very fas-
cinating they looked, with their fluttering
white sails and polished runners, as they
rested on the CLASSY ice behind a jutting
promontory of rocks and timber. They
were-2like in size and construction. Each
had movable runner behind worked by
an ordinary tiller. Each was fitted with
sloop mainsail and jib The Alfratta be-
longed 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 shout
ing of the impatient crowd. The advisa-
bility of postponing the race was the sub
ject of their conversation. Andy want
ed to wait until the next day. Phil and
Jack vehemently opposed this, and Frank
was inclined to side with them. Andy was
less rash and impetuous than his compan-
IONS He was not coward, as the others
well knew, but he had a streak of caution
in his nature, and he hesitated to incur
needless peril for the sake of racing his ri
val's iceboat
The danger was more than imaginary.
Out beyond the sheltering promontory
fierce wind swept and howled down the
broad, frozen surface of the Susquehanna.
Here and there it lifted the white patches
of snow and drove them forward in swirl
ing, mistlike clouds. Such gale was rare
" known at this time of year. 1t had been
blowing all day and showed no signs of
abating.
.Oh, come" said Phil whats the use
of cutting it off for little wind?"
'That makes the sport all the BETTER"
added Jack I'VE can run down to Hall
fax like streak"
'But it's more than little wind" de-
clared Andy. tits regular hurricane.
Ten to one we won't be able to manage the
boats. Well be blown into some of the big
airholes that lie between here and Halifax"
mo DANGER" replied Phil. 1.-The wind
amt that strong. Jack and can manage
the Elf, Pm sure What do you think
about it. Frank"
Andy shaded his eyes with one hand and
looked out over the ice. II don't want to
spoil the fun he said, shut we had better
wait until tomorrow. The wind may drop
over night. 1t will be really dangerous to
race now"
YOU'RE making big fuss about moth
ing" replied Phil half angrily. ''It's a
shame to disappoint every one. I guess
you're afraid the Elf will beat the Alfratta
in such a good wind He turned his back
Oh Andy and moved toward the crowd
'There won't be any race today' heshout-
ed. 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
boot and jeer. Some few shook their heads
wisely. Andy's face flushed. He sat down
on a rock near the edge of the shore.
Amid the confusion a plump, rosy checked
little lad about 8 years old, ran up to Phil
and caught hold of him. This was Phips
brother, and though there were only seven
years difference between them Dick re-
garded the elder as full grown man and
looked up to him accordingly.
''Take me for ride on your iceboat.
Phil" he pleaded. Just a little one
Please do"
Phil shook his head. He was not in the
humor for sport Then, seeing the shadow
of disappointment on the lads face, he re-
Tented.
"Come on, Dick" he said. ''I'l give you
short spin You mustn't ask for more"
No, WON'T" promised Dick as he ca
gerly followed his brother over the ice
Phil swung the Elf around until it point
ed straight across the river. He lifted lit
tie Dick upon the plank, and taking hold
of tie rudder he ran behind the boat as he
pushed it forward along the base of the
promonotory. Faster and faster he sped.
Dick clapped his hands for joy and looked
proudly at the people on shore.
Phil had no intention of going beyond
the sheltering bank of rocks and trees, but
his plans miscalculated, as plans often will.
When the outermost verge Of the promon-
tory was eight or ten feet distant, he con-
cluded to slacken speed. just then, as ill
luck would have it, his foot tripped on a
projecting ridge of ice. The rudder was
jerked out of his hand, and he sprawled
headlong. He rose to his feet as quickly
as possible and started after the eunaway
iceboat, which was gliding slowly toward
the open river.
The lsud oatery behind him told that the
crowd saw and realized Dicks peril. Phil
ran as he had never run 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
CiiiSA cLo La SoAANCNt bSJ OllO uuc
That quickly the wind filled her sails ana
swung her around. Away she went at a
frightful speed, spinning diagonally dow
the river. In almost less time than it takes
to tell, she was 80 yards away. Little Dick
could be seen clinging to the seat, ap-
parently helpless with fright.
At first there was wild excitement. Tie
crowd ran out On the ice. No one knew
what to do or what to suggest. Phil was
the picture of despair and remorse. He
started madly after the boat, but seeing the
folly Of it he turned back.
TITS all my fault" he cried hoarselv.
s'Poor little Dick don't know what to do
He'll run into an airhole and be drowned.
Save him, some one! OH save him."
The appeal was answered unexpectedly.
One in that half stupefed crowd did not
lose his wits. with a life at stake, Andy
Clayton no longer dreaded the gale. lie
seized the Alfratta and drove it toward the
open river. Frank and Jack pleaded to &c
along, but permission WIS almost roughly
denied then.
The crowd checred Justify, and Andy
turned long enough to wave his hand
Then he gave his undivided attention to the