The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-17

originally his boat had been IN
tended for freight, and was built of
heavy, coarse material. Much patch
ing and calking had not contributed
to its lightness, and now the most
sanguine would scarcely have regard
ed it as proper candidate for racing
honors. The only thing to be said in
its favor was that it was almost in
capable OF being capsized.
Ben spent week in overhauling
and repairing, and finished his work
by liberal application of black paint
inside and out. When he returned
the boat to the water the boys prompt
ly named it the mud Hen"
The first race was to be limited to
sail-boats, and this would debar the
"'Mud Hen," unless Ben should bring
out the makeshift sail of old sacking
which he sometimes used. AS this
was very old and ragged, and by far
the most disreputable sail on the
pond, the boys thought he would not
be willing to display it on such a
public occasion.
But on the morning of the race Ben
was out with the earliest, and the re-
doubtable "Mud Hen" bowed awk
wardly under the consciousness of a
new made mast that was several feet
longer than the one it replaced. And
the much patched and mended sail
was carried up to the proud height of
the new mast by an additional width
of sacking. When the boys saw the
promoted scow plung .ng about under
its grotesque spread of patchwork
they set up a derisive shout. Ben
grinned appreciatively, and waved
his old cap in acknowledgment.
The day promised to be all that the
most ardent could desire. There was
an unusually stiff breeze, and it was
from exactly the rightquarter. Most
of the boats had been provided with
sails, and they were now displaying
their accomplishments in long dashes
and swift circles under the direction
of their eager owners. From the
shore the scene was gay and novel in
the extreme. The boats were of all
kinds and conditions; and the sails
were of endless variety, from the
snowy canvas direct from the city
manufacturer to the "sackcloth and
ashes of the Mud Hen,'" as the boys
said.
Far off in the west a ragged line of
black clouds could be seen creeping
slowly above the trees; but the boys
scarcely noticed. The few who
glanced that way looked rather
pleased than otherwise. The chance
of wetting does not discomfort a
boy; and, besides, the clouds prom
ised a continuance of the stiff breeze.
Colonel Freeman's cottage over
looked the pond, and his boathouse
was the wonder and admiration of all
the boys. 1t was large enough to ac-
commodate seven or eight boats, and
upstairs room was being fitted up
for the club. Every boy who had be-
come a member was already begin
ming to feel sort of proprietorship
in the new building.
Three of the Freeman boys owned
boats of their own, and the other
three were looking forward to the
time when they would be old enough
to join the club. Freddy, the young
est, was only nine, but he was already
as ardent boatman as any of then.
The race was to be round an island
two miles up the pond, and back to
the boathouse. Colonel Freeman and
two men from the village were to act
as judges.
As the boats began to form into
line Colonel Freeman motioned to
Ben, who happened to be near.
evil you let Freddy go with your"
he asked. "He wants to be in the
race, and / don't like to have him go
in any of the lighter boats. The
weather threatens to be very squally.
The older boys are strong swimmers
and can take care of themselves, but
Freddy is too young to risk being
capsized."
"Of course! I'll be to glad to have
him!' cried Ben, heartily. He had
never been spoken to by Colonel
freeman before, and he wondered
why that keen eyed gentleman had
singled him out from the rest of the
boys. With a dexterous motion he
ran his boat alongside the landing
so that the little fellow could spring
on board, and then circled back to
rejoin the line.
ut will hardly be necessary for
me to caution you about being care
ful" said Colonel Freeman. pleas-