The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-17
and again before the signal to start

~ iOlI tuciI clumsy COMPANIONS bO
hind, and when the leading ones
rounded point three-fourths of a
mile away the "Mud Hen" had
scarcely covered two-thirds of that
distance. But all this time the black
clouds were creeping up the sky, and
every moment the wind was growing
more fitful and uncertain. One boat
would have its sails tapping idly in
the wind. and another, few rods
away, would be straining under
fierce blast which swept around a
point, or from behind an island. AS
the wind increased in violence many
of the boats began to lower sail, little
by little, and long before they had
rounded the island some of them were
carrying less than half the canvas
they had started with.
The "Mud Hen" was behaving
splendidly now, and was leaving
long wake of churning foam. Ben
had not lowered sail; and ne had no
intention of doing so, at least for the
present. There was little danger of
the broad, heavy boat being capsized,
and he did not fear for the mast.
"I've kept up sail in worse gales
than this" he told Freddy, quietly;
"an' nothin' didn't give way, either.
Idon't believe this old boat could be
tipped over. However, if you feel
any way doubtful I'm willin' to low
er, or to put back to the boathouse."
"Put back!" cried Freddy, indig-
nantly. 81 wouldn't think of such
thing II I was running this boat
wouldn't take down stitch of can
vas, not if l was blown clean out of
water. No, sir"
Good for you, Freddy; that's the
way to talk! Well beat some of 'em
yet" Ben's face was in a glow of
excitement as he looked down at his
small companion.
"See the 'Corsair' on ahead, there"
he continued, enthusiastically, 1--WE
have gained twenty feet in the last
five minutes"
II know it," replied Freddy, eager
ly; "I've been watching. They
hooted at US back yonder; now I'm
going to wave my hat and cheer when
we go by. Lasts the best every
time"
Foot by foot they covered the
space between the two boats, and
presently the "Corsair" was left be-
hind. Ben looked complacently con-
scious, and Freddy waved his hat en-
Enthusiastically as they went past.
But there seemed little probability
that they would overtake any of the
others. Long before they reached
the turning point they met them
coming back in long wavering line,
under half or three-quarters sail, and
skimming over the water like SO
many huge birds. Ben glanced
critically from one to another and
shook his head.
They've got too much sail up,
now," he said, anxiously. "Them
SORT O boats can't carry like ours can.
First they know somebody'll be
! spilled"
His words came true sooner than
he expected. One of the boats caught
the wind on new tack before her
commander was prepared, and the
sudden filing of the sail caused the
boat to be almost lifted from the wat
er. In moment her two occupants
were struggling in the pond. For
tunately they were good swimmers,
and they promptly set to work to dis
entangle the rigging and get the
boat ashore. But they were out of
| the race.
The accident was witnessed from
all the boats and caused a sudden
ripple of caution. Sails were hastily
reduced, and reckless commanders
went to the other extreme and be-
came overcareful.
All but the captain of the "Mud
Hen" He knew his boat, and, with
an approving glance toward the rude
ly constructed rigging, settled him
self firmly beside the tiller to make
a short turn around the island.
He left nothing to chance. Every
variation of the wind was carefully
observed, and he always changed his
course at just the right moment.
When he tackled his sail caught the
wind almost instantly.
There was nothing graceful about
the movements of his boat. 1t
plunged and bobbed, and sometimes
met the waves head down; but it COW
cred the distance rapidly, and that
was what Ben wanted. When he
rounded the island the nearest boat