The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-12-15

hurled forward with his flying boat, he
was making up for the failure of last
year-he would win this time beyond |
doubt or disbelief. Already the tide In |
the pudding stones" was shouting vic
tory In his ears. He laughed to 1t, and |
a voice came crying back. Thorne look |
ed around He wondered II any of the
other boys had heard 1t.
The wind had veered into the east
and was piling up the waves so that
the "crew" who lay for ballast along
the starboard rail caught glimpse now
and then of the "Fleetwing' staggering
ON behind. They saw and heard moth
ing else
Again that faint call came to Thorne
like the voice in the ripple of water.
He bent and looked under the boom.
Something was dancing toward the ia
tai current round the pudding stones
Dancing like Il thoughtless child. A
wave lifted 1t nearer. 1t was skiff
and bit of white stuff fiuttered from
the bow. Well, many boats came out to
sea, why should Thorne notice this.
! Yes, many boats came-but not so far
not skiffs-not with something white
flying from the PROV in terrified signal
of distress-surely not with frightened
| cries for help-for mamma" and
papa" But why should Thorne stop
to help. Dave was close behind him,
so close that II he changed his course
now enough to rescue the little sklff, he
would be too late by the time he had
come back and rounded the pudding
stone" buoy on the starboard side. Dave
would have passed him.
A wave tossed the little craft on Its
crest-another and another, each wave
nearer to the whirl Of water over the
rocks. Thorne could see the spindle on
the crag standing like n warning finger
1t was time to tack out around ii aud
start on the last leg home, Again came
: that frightened, sobbing cry, SO hope
less and so lost. Thorne looked at his
5 crew.
a II say, Thorne, the 'Fleetwing' seems
e to be gaining" called little Harley
!. I'VE can't be losing now, ehy'
j. Thorne's hand trembled on the wheel
u The rudder swayed. Slowly the shadow
of the sail swung round over its cap
J. tain. With cry OF amazement th
a boys fiung themselves into the cockpit
;: what on earth. Thorne; there's III
d buoy on the port hand
It Thorne nodded to the drifting boa
already circling in the edge Of tn
l. whirlpool.
10 .'Get the boat hook, Harley, qulcl
It Ease her off, Bob; there she comes. no,
" then, that's 1t. There's no hurry, Hal
Is ley, we can't win. Thank God, W
lie saw them In time
Never mind. then. they'll find oil
" who's won" he added. quietly, as
!" long faint shout from the baffied "Flee
H. wing warned them that their cour'
was seen.
Of For rs Joe eased the sheets to :
to about he saw the "Conqueror' head'
ri home, but with the pudding stone spi
r die on the wrong side. and he said In
de puzzled way. DO look nj Thorne, W
lie you: isn't he inside the MARK
BY Jove, so he is shouted Joe a
Ike grily. Call him, boys, let him kno
We we've seen him cheating
ey Never mind, never mind, cri
IRE Dave. wait until we get home, I
cheat. Wen settle with him then
He Dawes heart swelled as he saw I
nd hated black hull its huge canvas tai
ing ripping through the rough sea
to though 1t cared not stroke for hon
e." "Cowardr' groaned Dave.
,be What a long hour that was. But
,dy race is mine" said Dave, Mine. mil
her mine.' He repeated 1t over and ov
ose ms he heard the far-off clamor of wh
ELF. lies and bells and horns when the &c
yer oueror" crossed the line.
ng The angry blood flooded his chez
and shook his voice as be touched
zen. pier. For even his father and mot
sing were there holding Thorne's hands
leel, laughing ecstatlcally, And his two