The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-02-23
A WINTER RACE.
An Iceboat Adventure on the
SuSQuehanna River

"CAS d score OF cen
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 fiuttering white sails and pol
ished runners, as they rested on the
CLASSY ice behind jutting promontory
of rocks and timber They were alike
in size and construction Each had Ii
movable runner behind, worked by an
ordinary tiller- Each was fitted with
a sloop mainsail and jib. The Alfratta
belonged 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
impatient shouting OF the crowd. The
advisability of postponing the race
was the subject of their conversation.
Andy wanted To wait until the next
day Phil anu Jack vehemently op-
posed this, and Frank was inclined to
side with them. Andy was less rash and
impetuous than his companions. He
was not a 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
rivals iceboat
The danger was more than imagin-
ary- Out beyond the shelterng prom
ontory fierce wind swept and howled
down the broad. fro zen surface of the
Susquehanna- Here and there il lifted
the white patches of snow and drove
them forward in swirIing, mist-lilIe
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 What's the
use of putting it off for little wind?'
That makes the sport all the bet
ter" added Jack. I'VE can run down
To Halifax like 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 Well be blown into some
of the big air holes that lie between
here and Halifax"
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?"
IN 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 hand
and looked out over the ice. Il 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 bout moth
ing replied Phil, half angrily. Its
shame to disappoint every one. l
guess you're afraid the Elf will beat
the Alfratta in such a good wind" lie
turned his back on Andy. and moved
toward the crowd. There won't be
any race to-day" he shouted. 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
hoot 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 nine years old,
ran up to Phil and caught hold of him
This was Pills brother, and, though
there was only seven years difference
between them, Dick regarded the elder
as a full-grown man, and looked up to
him accordingly
Take me for ride on your iceboat,
Phil" he pleaded Just 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. Ia. relentel.
Come on Dick" he said I'm give
you II short spin. You mustn't ask for
more"
mo, | won't" promised Dick, as he
eagerly followed his brother over the
see.
Phil had no intention of going be-
vond the shcltcring bank of rocks and
trees But his plan miscalculated, as
plans often Will. When the outermost
verge of the promontory was eight or
ten feet distant he concluded To slac<en
speed. just then, ill-luck would
have it, his foot tripped ON a projecting
ridge of lee. The rudder was jerked
out of his hand and he sprawled head
long. lie rose to his feet as quickly as
possible and started after the runaway
icebpat, which was gliding slowly to-
ward the open river. The loud outcry
told him that the crowd saw and re-
allied Dicks peril. Phil ran as he had
never ran before He strained every
muscle to overtalke the fugitive But
lac was destined to fail just when
another stride would have seen his
hand on the tiIler the Elf glided be-
yond the promontory. Then quickly
the wind filled ner sails and swung her
around. Away she went 1T a frightful
speed, spinning diagonally down the
river. In almost less time than it takes
to tell she WAS fifty yards away. Little
Dick could be seen clinging tn the seat,
apparently helpless with fright
At first there was wild excitement.
The crowd ran out on the ice No one
knew what to do or what to suggest.
Phil was the picture of despair and re-
morse. lie started madly after the
boat, but seeing the folly of il he turned
back.
Its all my fault" he cried. hoarsely.
Poor little Dick don't know what to
do. He'll run into an airhole and be
drowned Save him, some one o. save
him.
The appeal was answered une xpect
edly. One in that half-stupefied crowd
did not lose his wits With life at
stake Andy Clayton no longer dreaded
the gale. He seized the Alfratta and
drove it toward the open river. Frank
and Jack pleaded to go along. but per-
mission was almost roughly denied
them
You'll take me?" cried Phil, as he
caught up with Andy by swift rush
NO" replied Andy, you'll make the
boat too heavy. I'll 90 alone That's
the only chance of overtaking the Elf.
Brace up. Phil III do my best to save
Dick"