The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-04


this point to the stake boat was one to set the
crowds cheering for Joy. for Columbia had
kept inchinR little by little. and widening
the space between herself and the Briton. A
white pigeon that had been perched on tho top
OF Columbla'a mast left II and flew straight as
die to Shamrock and perched on the end OF
her gaff. That didn't bother the experts but
1t did bother the superstitious. and they won
dsred what sort OF an omen 1t would be. Then
flock OF ducks camo along and went by both
boats at the speed OF a railroad train. and the
superstitious said that was an omen too; but
what 1t was omen OF they couldn't say.
As the boats neared the mark tho excursion
boats and tug boats and yachts piled n the
other side OF it until the place looked
like an immense shipyard. The patrol
boats took stations far enough beyond
the stake to make 1t impossible for any OF the
feet to interfere with the yachts as they
rounded. The big ships were driven perhaps
mile beyond the stake. and they backed up
there crescent shaped. At a distance they
seemed to be dashed together. Water could
scarcely be seen through them.
As Columbia neared the stake shs was as
lovely as the day. Every inch OF sail
was drawing. and she was going like
a race horse. She turned at 1887. gybing
with the mark on her starboard hand.
and the moment that her bowsprt
showed beyond. the fact was announced
By concert OF whistles that approached In
strength the noisy reception accorded to Ad-
miral Dewey when his flagship anchored In the
North River to review the naval parade. II
started with a long blast from the whistle OF
one OF The Suns despatch boats. AS Column
bia swung clear around every boat In the great
fleet let loose. There were fog horns
and sirens and shril shrieks OF the little
yachts and the deep bass notes OF the Sound
steamers. the river boats and the excursion
steamers. 1t lasted for a full minute. died
away and started up again louder than ever.
and was hushed as Columbia filled
away on the starboard tack. going
strong and apparently winner all over.
All were silent now in expectation OF what
would be shown by Shamrocks turn. What
had she lost? How far was she behind2
Hogarth dampened the saiorman's Joy by
turning clumsily. the lessening wind having
bothered him In his man9uvre OF swinging the
boom over but the Incorporating patriot
felt the quicker pleasure as Shamrock swung
slowly round two minutes and one second
later than the Stars and Stripes bearer. This
meant that the American boat had gained two
minutes and forty -four seconds in fifteen miles
to leeward. This promised victory with great
promise. and as the wind was now fresh the
prospect seemed as fair az native hearts could
desire. But the last OF the good wind came.
After series Of short tacks they stood out to
sea. the Shamrock refusing to be left further
behind. The hopes OF the thousands who
wanted to see Columbia win began to go down
particularly in those boats that hustled ahead
after the stake had been passed and got we'll
In advance OF the yachts as they were working
their way for the angle at which tho specta-
tors on these boats saw the yachts made 1t
appear that Shamrock was quickly overhaul
ing Columbia. SO after the shouting and
cheering and roaring OF whistles only a few
minutes before. the crowd began to get blue.
About half an hour after the turn. the blue
ones became satisfied that It was mainly the
angle Of sight and not the Shamrock that was
making their courage sag. They turned
toward shore again and the now
alignment opened the gap again in Columbia's
favor The wind reGained its snap while
Columbia forged ahead. we'll to windward and
leading as gaily as at the turn. Slowly they
went in towards the shore as the breeze grew
drewsy. and then the Shamrock caught the
Columbia asleep. for. quietly turning
on her heel. and she can turn quicker than
any boat OF her inches ever seen. che split
tacks with her enemy. the latter permitting
it. and stole out to sea. 1t wasn't
that the wind sprang up to welcome
her there but that it held while the
Columbia glided into the doldrums.
shamrock. still standing on alone. had wind
enough and was working ahead. making up the
distance lost on the run out and any
time lost from the stake thus far on the
homeward journey. To the crowd on
the excursion boats and ON the tugs
and the yachts it was Just about as dis
couraging a spectacle as could be imagined.
There was Columbia hardly stirring. and
there m owing we'll out whore the wind was blow
ing was Shamrock. even with the sign Of
a bone in her teeth. 1t was a time for the
lovers OF Columbia to feel sorrowful. Not
band could be heard playing. not a whistle
footed and there wasn't cheer. 1t
was all deep gloom. Shamrock kept on.
Minute after minute passed. She came
around on the starboard tack and still held the
wind and there was Columbia barely moving
Now and then little puff would come that
would fill her sails. but almost before she had
begun to move 1t was away again. 1t
looked as il Shamrock was going to walk
home and leave Colum bia practically anchored.
The experts who were favorable to Column
bia sworo long cuss words at Capt Barr.
They said he should have known better.
he hadn't any business to get so far
In shore. and lot OF other things.
This condition OF affairs kept up for heart
rending length OF time. All tho time Sham
rock gained until there was no question
that she had overcome all OF Colum bias lead
anu WAS Ill tHt lodu HcTbclI' lHOu Snt lOsI Inv
wind It died out where she was; the bone dis
appeared: her speed slackened: her sails
tapped as had Columbia's. while over In Co
lum bias neiRhborhood there was now and
then puff that lasted half q minute or so and
at least gave the American boat Roadway
The pufs came more frequently Co.
lumbia's sails filed again and she
moved in manner to start the hopes OF
the spectators for few moments. They saw
Shamrock sails still Tapping. The wind had
been cutting up such caperS. blowing now
here. now there, that they more than half
expected to sec Shamrock continue be-
Gained and Columbia again make up
the time that she had won before.
But no such luck. Within a very few moments
Shamrock got wind again and led as before.
Neither yacht was much more than moving,
and now arose the question OF whether either
would get home in time to make a race.
From whore they were the Lightship was just
opening out on the horizon. They had good