Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-02-03

ydculSIleD WIZ ICiiu iuiS SlOiy W III
laugh at the easy way in which get
things wrong. but write not for the
yacht race, for yachts and races are
subordinate to the little romance in
which | took Il hand.
Our feet-that is, tho fleet of the
Deep Bay Yacht club-was ON its an
nual cruise up Long island sound. was
guest upon the sloop Dawn, and had
the captain and owner not been Il great
friend of mine | fear that | might have
been put ashore early in the cruise and
left to get home as best could. a race
straight away across the sound was ar
ranged for the second day, and the boats
all lay at anchor in Blacklist harbor
off the little town of Nutmeg, same
state There were but two 40 footers
in the neet-the Dawn was one and the
Foam the other-and between the two
captains strong friendship and an in
tense rivalry existed. Until late in the
night we were discussing the race be-
tween our two boats. and heavy odds
were laid on each There was a good
breeze blowing early on the day of the
race, and we all tumbled upon deck
about o'clock in the morning. may
be allowed to state just here that the
crews of the boats We're all amateurs,
and as was superlativa in that degree
| did land duty whenever it was neces-
sary, so that about half past Z ] went
ashore to replenish the water barrel
The skipper rowed me over to the land
ing place, where he was joined soon aft
er by the captain of the Foam, while
took man iii tow to get the water.
While working thus. in very ordinary
clothes. Il horse and buggy came flying
down the road, and when the driver
saw me he nistook me for Eoatman-
| have since paldoned the mistake-it
was balm after being so long assailed
as IA lubber.
II say" he cried, pulling up his
horse, have you Il boat : | want TO get
over to Long island right away" And
us he spoke he glanced nervously up
the road.
We'll. no. answered. Il am
aboard u yacht. -
Do you see him?' interrupted a
sweet voice from beneath the hood of
the buggy, and for the first time | no
ticed Il girl within,
"No-no. ~ the man replied soothing
ly, and then he turned to me
Can you rot aid ,ne?" he asked. 81
am er-er' -
I saw it in IL moment. The pair had
eloped, and papa was probably close be-
hind A thought flashed through my
mind, and first ventured to ask. Do
you want Minister
Yes. the man answered, but !
must get into Long island first-the
old man is too near for fun. -
oh, Henry" called the girl. and
hearing her voice again decided me.
Come, I" ! said, this way, and in
moment the pair had left the buggy
and were following me to the dock
Charley, our skipper, stared as J came
up, but motioned the two in the boat
and in moment had told him of the
case. 1t was just us knew, and he
tumbled in after me, leaving the cap
tain OF the Foam to ask More passen-
gers?' 1t was the way he said it that
hurt me, and | frowned at him rs he
stood smiling on the pier. AS the yawl
reached the Dawn gun, which was
the signal to get ready, so2nded from
the flagship. and in IA minute the eiop-
ing pair were in the cabin, while we
were occupied with raising the anchor
The sails were hauled mp, and just as
they filed saw the captain of the Foam
rowing ont with Il stranger. gave the
matter no thought. but busted myself
with the minor duties of coiling rope.
etc, which had been assigned to me.
until suddenly wondered whether the
old man, the father Of the girl, had
not been taken aboard the otha- Yacht
All ths boats were under way by that
tiDe, and looking toward our rival
saw IL gray head poking ont of the cabin
door Charley WAS at the wheel, and |
whispered my suspicious and brought
up the would be bridegroom to inspect
As he saw him he grew pale, and his
eyes flashed.
Z" know | cannot get ashore now. :"
he said. turning to Charley Do you
think you can beat him over to the 9th
or shore2'
Yes. sir, answered our skipper,
I'VE can and will or else lose the mast, ;"
and ! saw that he meant it
Just then the two boats were along
side,-and the old man and the yoar.
one exchanged expressive gestures as
their eyes met.
Issngl went the signal to start. and
the 'tieet squared away. the Dawn and
the Foam crossing the line together
Charley ordered up more sail until we
had every stitch flying. while the Foam
did likewise. 1t was dead heat before
the wind. and the two boats led the
fleet The respective crews had learned
the story by that time and shouted loud
ly to each other. while a broad smile
lit up the face Of the captain Of the
Foam He evidently thought il a good
joke. bnt we heard the girl sobblug be-
low. and OR entire crew was willing
to help On the eiopeinent. If papa got
to Long Island first. we would turn
about and make Nutmeg again. or-
we'll. we figured up the possible cost
in the case If we put the compile ashore
and forcibly prevailed upon papa 10 re
turn viz the Dawn The breeze fresh
ened. and the two boats went before il,
drawing farther apart all the while
Papa was supplied with a glass. so we
got one for our man. and ne skipped
upon deck every minnie TO look through