The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-03-02
Then he gave his undivided attention

to the task that lay before him. That
it was likely to prove stern and diff
cult one he quickly realized. His con-
ception of the winds force had not
been exaggerated The speed of the ice
boat was something fearful and he
found that he had but slight control
over it. At first he was content to
swing along on the track OF the Elf,
which was more than quarter OF a
mile ahead of him, and still speeding
diagonally toward the opposite shore
of the river. He could see Dick perched
on the rear end, but could not make
out what he was doing. A moment or
| two later there was proof to show that
the little fellow had been experiment.
ing with the sails. The Elf suddenly
swung about, and slipped straight
down mid-river for one hundred yards
! Then it tackled diagonally toward the
Port Treverton shore. Possibly these
| movements were due to the vagaries OF
the wind, though Andy thought other
wise He quickly hauled on the jib and
altered the Alfratta's course to that Of
/ the Elf
|
spied reef of out-cropping rocks be-
tween the two boats. Their presence
above the ice was due to the fact that
the river had frozen when at low
stage. The barrier extended clear from
mid river to the Port Treverton shore,
and the Elf had been below it when
| she tackled.
| The only course open to Andy was to
circle around the rocks, SO he at once
tackled toward them. But when he had
reached and passed their outermost
edge and was minded to tack in the OPP
posite direction such squirt OF wind
came on that the jib-sail was helpless
The Alfratta darted nearly across the
remaining half of the river Then it
swung straight down stream, parallel
with the shore, and at distance from
it of several hundred feet.
For a time Andy made no attempt to
alter his present course. He was on
one side of the river, the Elf on the
other. Finally the other toat came
lacking over as far as mid-stream,
when it turned and kept parallel with
the Alfratta.' Andy was undecided
what to do. He could see Dick waving
his cap at him.
eff tack across now" he reflected,
'T'll likely drop behind the Elf, and be
driven clear to the other shore before
can turn around. But if l fool away
any time Dick may blunder into an air.
hole. It's mighty awkward fix"
He hesitated little longer, then all
choice was suddenly taken out of his
hands. AS he glanced down the broad
vista of glittering ice he saw something
that made his heart leap and his blood
turn chill Half q mile ahead, in mid
river, was a great sheet of open, black
water. The Elf was dashing straight
! toward it.
For a moment Andy was sick with
despair. Then his resolve was taken.
He tugged madly at the jib-sail, and to
his delight the Alfratta instantly
tackled outward. 1t sped faster and
| faster. The two boats were now trav-
cling on opposite sides of triangle.
Would they meet in time, or would
both find a watery grave in the vast
air hole?
Andy knew that there was scarcely
a chance. Yet he did not finch in the
face of almost certain death. He
steered the Alfratta steadily on, deter
mined to save Dick or perish with
him.
| Meanwhile the Elf encountered some
rough ice and fell little behind This
made Andy's chances brighter. The
| next minute was full of horror and
suspense The two iceboats rushed
madly on, one headed straight for the
air holes, the other striving to cross
above it. Dick saw the peril now, and
his shrill cries echoed far on the air.
| Andy waved his hand cheerily. He
| could see moving black specks over ON
the Port Treverton shore.
Now the gap Of yawning black water
was just ahead. Nearer and nearer
swept the Elf. Closer and closer came
| the Al!ratta. The sides of the triangle
were rapidly dwindling to point
Andy felt his heart rising to his throat.
He scanned the distance between the
two boats and thought that he saw a
CLEAN of hope.
Dick" he shouted with all his
might, crawl up front. Be ready for
me. If miss jump of. Do you under.
stand?''
Dick nodded. Then he quickly
| obeyed orders. Now the critical mo-
| ment was at hand. At a distance OF
only twenty feet from the brink of the
| air-hole the Alfratta dashed obliquely
across the bow OF the ELI. There was
u crash and q culver, and that quickly.
Andy snatched little Dick and dragged
him from his place of peril.
| The Elf swung about, and ground
swiftly on. She plunged into the
black water, and was sucked down by
the swift current. The sails f1oated
for moment and then disappeared.
The Alfratta. barely cleared the fur.
thermost edge of the air-hole. She
tackled rapidly across the river with
her double burden, and FIVE minutes
after she ground safely on the Port
Treverton shore. mile and half be-
low the village. Most of the crowd
were on the spot, having run swiftly
along the bank. There was great
cheering and applause, and Andy
blushed to find himself hero. Phi
burst into tears when little Dick
jumped into his arms. Later on he
begged Andy's forgiveness, as did also
Jack and Frank.
1 There's nothing to forgive" said
Andy. Pm only sorry the Elf is lost
We can't have that race now. Chi
cago Tribune.
| COTTER-RlGGED YACHTS.
River Colne tho Birthplace Of tho Grace
Il ful Erl.i3h Cutter.
Pearl and Louise were the frs,