The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-11

along on the track of the Elf, which was
more than quarter of 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 experimenting
with the sails The Elf suddenly swung
about and slipped straight down midriver
for 100 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.
His satisfaction vanished when he spied
a reef of outcropping rocks between the two
boats. Their presence above the ice was
due to the fact that the river had frozen
when at very low stage. The barrier ex-
tended clear from midriver to the Port Ire
verton shore, and the Elf had been below
it when she tackled.
For time Andy made no attempt to
alter his present course. He was on one
side of the river; the Elf was on the other.
Finally the latter boat came lacking over
as far as midstream, when it turned and
kept parallel with the Alfratta. Andy was
undecided what to do He could see Dick
waving his cap at him.
"If tack across now," he reflected, 'I'll
likely drop behind the Elf and be driven
clear to the other shore before can turn
around. But if fool away any time Dick
may blunder into an airhole. lisa 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 gilt
tering ice he saw something that mad. his
heart leap and his blood turn chill. Half a
mile ahead in midriver was a great sheet of
open, black water. The Elf was dashing
straight toward it,
For moment Andy was sick with de-
spair. Then his resolve was taken. He
tugged madly at the jibsail, and to his de-
light the Alfratta instantly tackled out
ward. 1t sped faster and faster. The two
boats were now travelling on opposite sides
Of triangle. Would they meet in time,
or would both find watery grave in the
vast airhole?
Now the gap of yawning black water was
| just ahead. Nearer and nearer swept the
| Elf. Closer and closer came the Alfratta
| The sides of triangle were rapidly dwin-
ding to point. Andy felt his heart rising
to his throat He scanned the distance be-
tween the two boats and thought that he
saw CLEAN of hope.
'sDick," he shouted with all his might,
''crawl up front. Be ready for me. If I
miss, jump off. Do you understands"
Dick nodded. Then he quickly obeyed
orders. Now the critical moment was at
hand. At distance of only 20 feet from
the brink of the airhole the Alfratta dashed
obliquely across the bow of the Elf There
was crash and culver, and that quickly
Andy snatched little Dick and dragged him
from his place of peril.
The Alfratta barely cleared the further
most edge of the airhole. She tackled rap
idly across the river with her double bur-
den, and five minutes after she ground safe
| ly on the Port Treverton shore, mile and
half below 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 him
self a hero. Phil burst into tears when lit.
tie Dick jumped into his arms. Later on
he begged Andy's forgiveness, as did also
| Jack and Frank.
There's nothing to forgive" said Andy
''I'm only sorry the Elf is lost. We can't
have that race now. "-Exchange.