The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-02

and lazily criticising the regatta fleet
as it 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 itY' 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. Eyes, there's her
name, 'Conquerer.' She must have
come in last night. I didn't know her
at first; look at the big topsail he's got
on her"
shes been made over for this race.
I tell you, it'll take hot work for even
the Fleetwing' to beat her now"
Il wonder what Dave IL say when he
hears that his beloved rival is here"
Here comes Dave now."
'Whoop! Hellol Heard the news?'
been disputing as a white hat came
slowly down the wharf,
whats the row?" asked the new
conner, calmly taking a seat on the rail
beside Joe. Anything fatal happened
in the last ten minutes?"
''Thorne's here with new set Of sails
on the 'Conqueror,' blurted out Joe,
who never could keep anything long.
''Thorner' interrupted Dave, a black
look on his good-natured face. $50 he's
come after aIl.''
Hasn't he, though; 1t will take your
prettiest sailing to show him your
stern"
'If 1 decide to race him." answered
Dave, slowly watching the boat as it
dwindled oceanward.
Nonsense Davier' 'aThe idea, old
fellow" Goodness sake, man, you
wouldn't drop out for that" argued
every one at once while Joe, who was
Dawes particular chum, and dared any
thing, added: t'Then you'll let Thorne
take the cup? Your two are the fastest
boats in the class"
Dave said nothing, but his mouth mar
rowed to the long, thin line the boys
knew so well.
Ever since the two had been old
enough to have boats, there had been a
rivalry growing up between them, slow
" 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 a little more
ballast if it's too windy and show him
the way home"
: Maybe" answered the other, a far
away look IL his quiet blue eyes. II
suppose it is- the only fair thing to do,'
he said to 6iTserE SIS lie walked home. |
Better race and have it over. / only
hope this wind win shift before to-
morrow" And he glanced toward the |
northwest, whence a merry gale piped
along.
For with all her virtues the "Fleet- |
wing could not make time in a 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 "Fleetwings" powers, too, and he
hoped as earnestly for "reef1ng 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 "Fleetwings" deck Satur-
day morning and felt the puffy north
wind that rolled the little sloop heavily
in the trough Of the waves.
will ha dirtr xr,o,tz votf3pr |
the pudding stone reef in this choppy
sea-
IF we can make the first leg on this
breeze, I'll have the wind behind me on
the next, and it's only short beat home
from the second buoy" answered Dave,
with a sort Of nervous quietness
''Hurry up there, Joe, never saw you
take so 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 as 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
childish voices, nor see a skiff that was
padded past them by unskillful little
hands.
B ''Thorne isn't going to have an easy
time taking care of that topsail Of his"
remarked Joe, looking up from the hal
yard he was hauling in.
Say, Joe, let Thorne take care of
himself; we've got all we can do to
manage right here; just run forrard
and keep her off the pier, will your"
answered Dave, in a tone that made
his mate lift his eyebrows and whistle
silently.
Funny how mad fighting will make
q man." he said to himself, as Dave
snapped out orders to the boys as they
tumbled on board from the pier where
they had been waiting.
Dave was In a fighting mood. He
felt his boat tugging to get away, and
he saw the "Conqueror'' wiggling along
behind him as Thorne tried to get to
windward at the starting line. "Joe,"
he ordered quickly, I'm going to gybe
up on the windward Of Thorne; be ready
with the sheet. You fellows ballast her
now. All ready. It's going to be close
sailing all the way" he said to himself,
as one after another the boats slid over
the line, "Conqueror" and "Fleetwing'
side by side.
Closer sailing than he thought even.
In spite of the "Fleetwing's" promising
start and the master hand on her wheel,
the lee rail sank under water and the
vhitn sails swelling like q swans