The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-04
UNHURT BY THE VOYAGE.

Englishmen are constitutionally chary
about giving praise to anything or any one
of foreign extraction, and their favorable
criticism is doubIy remarkable, for the
reason that up to the first spin of the
Yale men on the water their chances of
landing the coveted prize were not ser
4ousIy considered. The English experts
were prepared to find all manner of fault
with the body, leg and arm work of the
visitors, and it was a huge surprise to
them when they discovered the smooth,
even and pow rful stroke, every muscle q
the eight men working in unison and each
man as calm and collected as If he were
rowing on home waters. The remarkable
part of it all was that the men had just
finished a nine days voyage across the
Atlantic and had not been Off the steamer
eight hours when they did the work which
astonished the critics.
It was feared that the voyage across might
prove detrim entail to the men, but on the
contrary. they seemed the better for it.
The gained very little in weight, and these
few pounds will be taken off slowly. as it is
the intention of Bob Cook not to force the
men Up to concert pitch too soon, and run
the risk Of their going stale before the
race.
The particular points in the crews work
which have Won the regard of the English
critics are the hard. clean catch and the
quick recover. In comparing the Yale boys
with those sent over by Cornell last year,
1t seems impossible for the sharps to say
enough In favor Of the sons Of Old Eli.
Later on they Will probably change from
their present pleasant standpoint, and begin
to pick flaws in the American boat but Mr..
Cook and his crew are prepared for any kind
Of criticism and they viii not be ratified by
It.
As a matter Of cold fact, at this writing
Mr. Cook is not as favorably impressed by
the crew as the Englishmen seem TO be.
He Is hopeful, but not confident, and he has
3nstilled these same feelings in the bosOms
OF his charges. He knows we'll that to win
the Grand Challenge Cup he must have the
best amateur crew the world over, and this
Is not everyday attainment. From
4 this, however. it must not be judged that
he is discouraged. He is too much of a
Thoroughbred 10 fall into that error. He
simply appreciates the formidable character
of the task. and he is not minimizing his
chances by an indulgence in over confidence
The fine condition of the men on the com
pletion of the voyage was largely due 70
the vigilance OF the noted coach. On the
nrst Two days out Simpson. who rows at
bow. did nc work because of a slight acct
dent to his knee. He also suffered some
from tonsilitis. but is now in prime condi-
ton The mid-Ocean work Of Captain
Treadway. Beard and Langford was also
slightly interfered with through a physical
disagreement with the tumultuous action
Of Mr.. Neptune. but they assert that they
gained no weight during their enforced idle
ness.
MARSH HILL HOUSE.
The crew Is well pleased with It's quarters
at Marsh Hill House. This is right in the
heart of the little town, and is far enough
away from the river to guard against ma
laria- The fog and mist are the only things
Ginues hot as 1t has been for the past couple
of days Mr.. Cook says he viii be well
pleased. as his men can stand it.
The Leander crew, which Is always the
most feared IN the Henley regatta VIII not
reach here until the 22d. Cornell, IN the
preliminary last year, won by a luke from
the Leanders, and the latter were forced out
De the final. 1t was this which caused SO
bad h