The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-12-01

Yacht Club.
Naturally the bunch of fellows loung-
ing on the pier head Friday morning
as 1t swung at anchor, burst into inter
ested comment as long slim boat slid
past them down the harbor and stood
out before the heavy wind under full
canvas.
Hello! that's Thorne's boat now,
isn't it," exclaimed Joe Scott. dropping
from his seat on the rail and hurrying
over to the other side of the pier with
the boys at his heels. YES, there's her
name, 'Conquerer.' She must have
come in last night. l didn't know her
at first; look at the big topsall he's got
on her"
shes been made over for this race.
tell you, It'll take hot work for even
the 'Fleetwing to beat her now"
81 wonder what Dave II say when he
hears that his beloved rival is here"
Here comes Dave now"
"Whoop! Hello! Heard the newsT'
roared the half dozen voices that had
been dlsputing as white hat came
slowly down the wharf.
whats the row." asked the new
conner, calmly taking seat on the rail
beside Joe. Anything fatal happened
in the last ten minutesT
"Thorne's here with a new set of sails
on the 'Conqueror,' blurted out Joe,
who never could keep anything long.
"Thorne" interrupted Dave, black
look on his good -natured face. $50 he's
come after all"
Hasn't he. though; It will take your
prettiest sailing to show him your
stern"
"If decide to race him." answered
Dave, slowly watching the boat as it
dwindled oceanward.
Nonsense, Davic" "The idea, old
fellow" Goodness sake, man, you
wouldn't drop out for that" argued
every one ut once while Joe, who was
Dawes particular chum, and dared any
thing, added: Then you'll let Thorne
take the cup! Your two are the fastest
boats in the class"
Dave said nothing, but his mouth mar
powed to the long, thin line the boys
knew so well.
Ever since the two had been old
enough to have boats, there had been n
yivalry growing up between them, slow
ly changing their friendship to enmity,
and ending the year before in accusa-
ton and open distrust.
I'D rather have him take the cup
than think l wanted 1t bad enough to
race him for It." said Dave, shortly.
"Oh, fudge, then he'll think you're
afraid of him." laughed Joe, throwing
his arm over Dawes shoulder. What
you want to DO Is to go in and beat him
clean out OF his boots; take little more
ballast If It's too windy and show him
the way home"
Maybe" answered the other, far
away look in his quiet blue eyes. Il
suppose ii Is the only fair thing to do"
be said to himself as he walked home.
"Better race and have it over. | only
hope this wind will shift before to-
morrow" And he glanced toward the
northwest, whence merry gale piped
along.
For with all her virtues the "Fleet-
wing" could not make time in stiff
breeze. She could beat anything in a
light Southwestern with Dave at the
helm, for no man could sail boat as
craftily as he
Sidney Thorne knew Dawes skill and
the "FleetWing's" powers, too, and he
hoped as earnestly for "reeflng gale"
as Dave prayed for catspaw breeze,
with better luck. unhappily for Dave.
I'm afraid we're going to get more
of this" said Joe Scott, anxiously, as he
stood on the "F'leetwlng's" deck Satur-
day morning and felt the puffy north
wind that rolled the little sloop heavily
In the trough Of the waves.
at will be dirty work getting round
the pudding stone reef in this choppy
sea-"
"If we can make the first leg on this
breeze, III have the wind behind me on
the next, and It's only short beat home
from the second buoy answered Dave,
'IIurry up there, Joe, never saw you
take 50 long
Here, Delay that, and stop your fuss
Ing" retorted Joe, throwing down a
rope. You can't race this race alone;
heard Thorne saying that us this wind
would hold there was no hurry about
starting"
The hard look on Dawes face deepen
ed as he went on with his work. So
busy were the two boys in talking that
they did not hear their names called by
childish voices, nor see skiff that was
padded past them by unskillful little