Morris tribune., 1903-09-05

spare before the HrSL gun, WneH LHe
Phebe cast off and moved gracefully
out into the stream. She attained a
good rate Of speed, Notwithstanding
the fact that large -four bag was
holding her back. The bag retarded
her only when she was going ahead,
so she still retained her noted quality
of quickness in stays. Both boats
were bearing down toward the line.
The wind vas fair to go out Of the
river to the buoy and dead beat
home.
"Charlie, we don't seem to go
very well this morning" said War
bone as they neared the line for the
start.
Bang went the first gun, and the
yachts leaped toward the line as if
they heard the signal and realized
its meaning. All was excitement.
The people on both sides cheered,
and every available horn was blown.
Bang went the second gun, and
the yachts crossed the line, with the
Phebe slightly ahead.
Notwithstanding the -four bag the
Phebe managed to keep her posi-
ton, though each boat would at in
tervals drop slightly astern of the
other and then slowly forge ahead.
They kept together until the stake
boat was rounded, and then the Pill
grim slowly but surely. gained the
lead. She was soon splitting tacks
with the Phebe, E-hen the startling
cry of 'tMan overboardp was heard
from the Pilgrim.
Looking ahead, the Phebe's crew
saw something bobbing up and down
in the waves behind the leading
yacht, and all possible speed was
made, as the Pilgrim seemed to have
become unmanageable. The Phebe
was soon on the spot, but the man,
who was recognized as Captain Burt,
had already sunk twice.
AS soon as they were near enough
Captain Warbone jumped overheard
and swan to the drowning man,
who had come to the surface for the
third time. He caught him by the
collar, and, with the aid of ring
buoy which Charlie had thrown him,
managed to keep Captain Burt afloat
until the small boat, which immedi-
ately put out from the Phebe, ar
rived. The captain of the Pilgrim
was insensible when they carried
him on deck, but after fifteen min
mtes' hard work by Captain Warbone
heNopened his eyes and gasped. He
did mot seem to realize where he was
and> lay in stupor for some min
utes.
By this time the Pilgrim was
alongside, Iand it was learned that
he had been sitting on the wind
ward rail- and steering when he had
lost his hold of the tiller and fallen
overheard. Having been hurt in a
railroadt accident some time before,
he was unable to swim, and had it
not been for the quick work Of he
captain and crew Of the Phebe he
would certainly have been drowned.
When he had recovered and was
able to sit up and recollect what had
happened, he turned to Captain
Warbone and said:
Captain Warbone, I have played
mean trick Oh you, and you have
in return saved my life. If you had
known of the dastardly act you
would not have felt like rescuing
me-"
Then he frankly related the whole
matter to the surprised captain.
81 have never done such a thing
before, nor would I have thought of
doing it now" he confessed, chad it
not been that I am very pinchcd
for money and could not afford to
keep my boat if l lost the thousand
dollars"
Captain Warbone, who had always
regarded his rival as an honorable
man, said:
''Never mind, old man. We will
keep it quiet, and tomorrow we will
race for glory and nothing else. /"
The flour bag was removed from |
the keel, and the next day the Phebe |
won by length. The two captains
were fast friends from that day, and |
Warbone has never mentioned the
incident to any one, though Burt |
tells it often to illustrate what a
friendShe has in the captain of the
Phebe.