The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-03-03
A WINTER RACE.
An 1ceboat Adventure on the
i Susquehsnna River.


December. On the river shore. in front
of the little village of Port Treverton,
were assembled 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 ex-
cuse 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 fascinating they looked, with
their futtcring white sails and pol
ishcd 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 slnop mainsail and jib The Alfratta
belonged 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
impatient shouting of the crowt The
,advisability of postponing tn. race
was the subject of their conversation.
ANDY wanted to wait until the next
day. Phil and Jack vchemcntly OPP
posed this, and Frank was inclined to
side with them. Andy was less rash and
irnpetuous than his companions. He
was not coward, as the Others we'll
knew. But he had o streak of caution
in his nature, and he hesitated to incur
needless peril for the sake of racing his
rivals iccboat.
The danger was more than imagin-
ary. Out beyond the shclterlng prom
ontory a fierce wind swept and howled
down the broad, fro zen surface OF the
Susquehanna Here and there 1t lifted
the white patches of snow and drove
them forward in swirling, 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 OF for little wind?'
"That makes the sport all the bet
ter" added Jack 1--WE can run down
to Halifax like a streak.".
'.But it's more than a little wind" de-
clared Andy. Its a regular hurricane.
Ten to one we won't be able to manage
the boats. We'll be blown into some
of the big air holes that lie between
here and Halifax"
s.No danger" replied Phil "The
wind amt that strong. Jack and | 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 hanc
and looked out over the ice. II dom
want 10 spoil the fun," he said, 'bu
we had better wait until tomorrow
Tho wind may drop over night. 1t viii
be really dangerous to race now"
You're making big fuss about moth
ing" replied Phil. half angrily. TT
a shame to disappoint every one.
guess you're afraid the Elf will bca
the Alfratta in such good wind" ID
turned his back on Andy. and moved
toward the crowd. There won't b.
any race to-day" he shouted. Don
you hear the cyclone out on the river
ANDY is afraid we'll be blown down Il
Chesapeake bay!"
The disappointed spectators began t
hoot and jeer. Some few shook thei
heads wisely Andy's face flushed. II
sat down on a rock near the edge of tn
shore.
Amid the confusion plump, rosy
checked little lad, about nine years old
ran up to Phil and caught hold OF him
This was Pills brother, and, though
there was only seven years differcnc
between them, Dick regarded the eide
as full-grown man, and looked up t
him accordingly.
take me for ride on your iceboa'
Phil" he pleaded. Just little one
Please do"
Phil shook his head. He was not i
the humor for sport Then, seeing tn
shadow of disappointment on the lad
face, he rclented.
Come on, Dick" he said. 'ril Civ
you short spin. You mustn't ask fc
more"
mo, won't" promised Dick, as h
eagerly followed his brother over tn
ice.
Phil had no intention of going b.
yond the sheltering bank of rocks an
trees But his plan iniscalculated, q
plans often will. When the outermo'
verge Oh LILO WIS Sa6 ho
ten feet distant he concluded to slacle
speed just then, as ill-luck woul
have it, his foot trippcd on projectin
ridge OF ice. The rudder was jerke
out of his hand and he sprawlcd hea'
long. He rose to his feet as quickly ,
possible and started after the runawa
iceboat, which was gliding slowly t
ward the open river. The loud outcl
told him that the crowd saw and r
allied Dicks peril. Phil ran as he M
never ran before. He strained evel
muscle to overtake the fugitive. b.
he was destined to fail just whs
another stride would have seen h
hand ON the tiiler the Elf glidcd b
yond the promontory. Then quick
the wind filed her sails and swung h
around. Away she went at a fright
speed. spinning diagonally down q
river. In almost less time than it TAX
to tell she was fifty yards away. Litt
Dick could be seen clinging to the ses
apparently helpless with fright.
At first there was wild excitemer
The crowd ran out on the ice. Moo
knew what to do or what to sugge!
Phil was the picture Of despair and /
morse. He started madly after t
hoet. Int seeing the folly of it he turn