Smyrna times., 1901-01-30
Their First Victory
An Exciting Race Among
College Men. :: :: :: ::

AS the freshmen sat in their shell
that beautiful May afternoon they felt
within themselves that their time had
come at last. The warmth of the set
ting sun as it slowly approached the
hilltops which guard Cayuga on the
west, the deep blue of the lake and the
breath of spring in the soft southern
breeze seemed all to foretell some good
fortune. Then, too, as the crews row.
ed up the lake the first year men had
pulled together beautifully. their oars
had struck the water in perfect unison, |
with never break from bow to stroke. |
1t was coming, and they knew it, for |
they had struck their stride, as the |
runners say.
A blast from the whistle of the |
cOach's launch drew their attention to
the varsity and the sophomore crews
which had proceeded a mile farther up
the lake. From this point the two SEN
ior crews were to race for three miles,
picking up the freshmen at the mile
mark. AS the freshmen watched them
the distant shells turned slowly and
took their positions. A moment they
lay mOtiOnless; then, as jet of white
steam shot up from the launch, 16
broad oar blades flashed in the sun.
and the race was on.
1t looked to the eager freshmen as if
the sophomore crew had leaped to the
front with the first stroke. the heavier
varsity being unable to catch the water
as quickly as had their nimble rivals.
and as the two shells came racing over
the CLASSY surface of the lake it was
evident that the second year men were
increasing their advantage.
Look at 'em gain! Look at 'em
galn"' cried CrOwell up in bow seat.
Crowell always became excited when
ever he watched others racing. but as
soon as he got in a race himself he
was the steadiest man in the boat.
That's all right" said Bruce. the
sturdy stroke; 'the sOphs may jump
'em at the start. but you wait until that
varsity gets down to work.
And almost before he had uttered
them his words were proved true. for
the class crew ceased to gain on their
seniors. For time the two shells pull
ed at almost equal speed. the white
launch speeding along close behind the
second, the coach up in the bow direct
ing the Oarsmen through his great alu-
minium megaphOne. Though the fresh
men could not hear him they knew that
he was upbraiding the varsity for al
lowing a class crew to get ahead OF
them. And soon his reprOaches had
their effect. for the sophOmOres were
seen to be slowly losing their lead as
the older men began to put their hearts
into the work. Slowly but surely th'
second crew crawled up until th'
length and a half of open water tina
had separated it from its fleeing riva
was reduced to less than a foot ant
then tho coach's voice came ringing
over the water:
"Get ready there. freshmen
The little cOckswain ceased cranin
his neck over his shoulder and. grasI
ing the rudder lines firmly. shouted:
Ready al-l-l"
In response the eight sunbrOwne
boys before him settled themselves int
LOelf seats anu. ldi lOi Ndi'
dipped their oar blades into the water
Eyes i'm the boat" cautioned I'll
cockswain. and they waited while the
opponents came flying toward then
They heard the painting of the launch
engine and then the sound of the rus
ing shells cleaving the still water al
the "schuh" of the oars in the rowloc!
as 16 pairs of arms shot out on the r
cover. Then the "old mans vol
again:
Are you ready. freshmen? The
gor'
And with one giant heave they we
Off
Bruce kept his eye steadily fixed
the water just beyond the port gu
vale as it slipped past. still swirli
and dimpling from the blows of t
stout blades behind him. Quickly a
yet with the utmost care he pull
stroke after stroke; sharp catch a
powerful heave, then out shot
hands. and his shoulders followed
the recover. but as his seat neared
end of the slide he slowed it down Il
there might be no checking of the bo
And the seven men behind him W.
doing likewise. for once as he caui
the water be felt the frail shell rise
meath him and quiver like a livi
thing. A thrill of exultation pass
through every man in the crew. III
knew then that the victory was the
For the first time they had felt
shell live. and that spelled victory.
An lfffIa Qonlr CxvQfn fol
his voice.
STEADY, boys; steadyP he or
Keep your eyes on the stroke-ca
-catch-catchP'
Then, with a note of triumph In
voice, he shouted:
Were gaining. boys; we're gain