The Washington times., 1902-07-06

line together. and started for the stake
buoy. one mile down the river. The
wind being from the south nccessitated
their beating TO windward on the first
leg Walter rounded the buoy first. but
Dicks boat being faster before the
wind gradually overhauled her. In a
close finish the Dolphin barely manag-
! ed TO get the decision.
A game of water polo between the
Dauntless team and a team chosen from
the Perseverance Club was won by the
visitors-1 goals TO ). The next event
on the varied program was the tub race,
which proved to be even more amusing
than the duck chase Fifteen boys in
tubs started from the float to paddle
with their hands across the river. Only
those who could swim were allowed to
enter. and several rowboats followed the
| contestants to see that none came to
| grief.
The various gyratlons INDUCED in dur
ing this race were laughable beyond de-
hscription. The spectators shouted and
screamed with mirth. Several boys
could not make any progress at all, as
they went around in circles. Some even
went backward, to their great disgust.
Others found no difficulty in going off
lInS lHe uiTtCtlOH lTOHi
time TO time, but very few made any de-
cided progress. In the middle of the
river two boys-Rubc Sayles and a
Riverview boy--upset almost at the
same time thraugh trying too hard to
paddle ahead, and the rowboat had to
pick them up and tow the tubs ashore.
About this time struggle was no.
ticed between Tom Barry and Wilbur
Wheatlcy. Both were very close to the
opposite bank. when Tom suddenly
jumped out of his tub about five yards
from shore and waded in with It through
the shallow water. Wilbur padded des-
pera1ely and reached the bank almost
at the same time. An argument imme-
diately arose as 20 which had won the
race. II was claimed that the object OF
the race was to get the boy and his tub
across the river regardless of the means
employed. The judges ruled otherwise.
and declared that the affair was more
or less of canoe race, in which pad
ding was the only lawful means Of
progress. Hence. they awarded the race
to Wilbur.
The 2c-yard swimming race was the
last event before the great race. which
was to conclude the program. Twelve
boys started at the signal and swan
tSOituoif the bDGi ne
100 yards were covered at killing pace.
which resulted in FIVE boys dropping out,
exhausted. At 175 yards the contes,
had narrowed down to Rex Ticknor.
who was in the lead; Charley Olmsted
Tom Barry. and two boys from River
view. On the last % yards one of the
Riverview boys. Bobby Fiske. came nip
on even terms with Rex, and fought
out the finish with him. Rex was worn
out from the other race, and could not
stand the strain. Just as Fifke passed
him and crossed the line ahead Rex
tainted and sank beneath the surface.
Charley Olmsted had kept an eye on
Rex. so he quickly dived after him and |
brought him 10 the surface. One of the /
boats had come up by this time and both |
boys were hauled in safely. Rex came /
10 shortly afterward. The winners
lime was 2 minutes IA seconds
And now came the eight-oared barge
race. the concluding event of the pro-
5ram. The crews got into the water and
padded down to the starting line. The
-owering proportions Of the Star boys
made them look like giants beside |
heir younger adversaries, but the Per-
severance boys inspired confidence by
he ease and assurance with which they
iandled their oars.
Finally everything was II readiness
md the crews drew up at the start.
Are you ready?" asked the starter
amid profound silence.
Yes" answered the coxswain OF each
rev.
Instantly the SHARP. clear report of the
PISTOL rang out and the crews got away
II once. Rowing evenly and gracefully.
bout twenty-seven strokes to the min
lite. the crews kept together for the first
quarter. The crowd at the clubhouse
.ould see them coming up the river In
he distance.
Gradually the Stars increased their
troke until they were rowing at a thirty
lip. The Perseverance boys did the
anne. holding them for the next quarter.
The coxswains spoke to their men In
ncouraging tones. urging them to dc
heir best and keep cool The steady
wish. swish of the oars and the rhyth-
mic movements of the oarsmen as they
moved forward and backward with per-
ect regularity showed how well both
rews had learned their lesson.