Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-03-03
AN ICEBOAT CHASE.

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1t was a bitterly cold afternoon in De-
cember.. On the river shore in front of the
little village of Port Treverton was assem-
bled nearly score of men and boys The
latter were largely in the majority, and
they were as noisy as most 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-
c1nating they looked, with their fluttering
white sails and polished runners, as they
rested on the CLASSY ice behind jutting
promontory Of rocks and timber. They
were alike in size and construction. Each
had movable runner behind, worked by
an ordinary tiller. Each was fitted with a
sloop mainsail and jib The Alfratta be-
longed to Andy Clayton and Frank SNYDER:
the Eli, 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
walls iceboat.
The danger was more than imaginary.
Out beyond the sheltering promontory a
fierce wind swept and howled down the
broad, frozen surface of the Susquehanna.
Here and there ii 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
sbating.
"Oh, come" said Phil. whats the use
of cutting 1t off for little winds"
"That makes the sport all the better,'
added Jack. "We 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 l 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, "but 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 Its
shame to disappoint every one / 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 today!' he shout
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 plump, rosy checked
little lad, about years old, ran up to Phil
and caught hold of him. This was Pills
brother, and though there were only seven
years difference between them Dick re-
garded the elder as a full grown man and
looked up to him accordingly.
Take me for a ride on YOUR iceboat
Phil" he pleaded. Just u little one
Please do"
Phil shook his head. He was not in the
humor for sport. Then, seeing the shadow
of disappointment on the lad face, he re-
Tented.
Come on, Dick, he said. "Ill give YOU
a short spin. You mustn't ask for more"
mo, WON'T" promised Dick as be 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 the rudder he ran behind the boat as he
pushed it forward along the base of the
promonotory. Faster and faster be 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 COLI
cluded to slacken speed. Just then, as i'll
luck would have it, his foot tripped on
ridge of ice. The rudder was
jerked out of his hand, and he sprawled
headlong. He rose to his feet as quickly
rs possible and started after the runaway
iceboat, which was gliding slowly toward
the open river.
The loud cutlery 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
tiller the Elf glided beyond the promontory.
That quickly the wind filed her sails and
,wunR her around. Away she went at a
'rightful speed, spinning diagonally down
he river. In almost less time than It takes
% tell, she was 50 yards away. Little Dick
could be seen clinging to the seat. an
3arently helpless with fright.
At first there was wild excitement, The
,rowd ran out on The ice No one knew
what to do or what to suggest. Phil was
he picture of despair and remorse. He
tarted madly after the boat, but seeing the
oily Of it he turned back.
"It's all my fault" he cried h0arsely
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,
)ne in that half stupefied crowd did not
ose his wits. With a life at stake, ANDY :,
dayton no longer dreaded the gale. He
eized the Alfratta and drove 1t toward the .
pen river. frank and Jack pleaded to 20 u !
long, but permission was almost roughly :,
enied them. y
The crowd cheered Justify, and Andy q ::
urned long enough to wave his hand. y
hen he gave his undivided attention to the
ask that lay before him. That 1t was like.
to prove stern and difficult one he
uickly realized, His conception of thu =