The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-11-29

HE LEANED SUDDENLY AGAINST THE
TlLLER.
others. Long before they reached the
turning point they met them coming
back in long. wavering line under
half or three-quar,cr sail and skim
ming over the water like so many big
birds. Ben glanced critically from one
to the other and shook his head.
They've got too much sail up now"
he said anXiousiy. Them sort o boats
can't carry like ours can. First they
know somcbody'll be spilled"
His words came true sooner than he
had expected One Of the boats caught
the wind on a new tack before her
commander was prepared. and the sud
den filling Of the sails caused the frail
Shell to be almost lifted from the wa
ter In a moment her two occupants
were struggling in the pond.
Fortunately they were good swim
mers, and they promptly set to work
to disentangle the rigging and get the
boat ashore. But they were out of the
race.
The accident was witnessed from all
the boats and caused sudden ripple
of caution. Sails were hastily reduced
and reckless commanders went to the
other extreme and became Overcareful
All but the captain of the Mud Hen
He knew his boat and. with an APP
proving glance toward the rudely con
structcd rigging, settled himself firmly
beside the tillcr 70 make Il short turn
around the island
There WAS nothing graceful about the
movements of his boat 1t plunged and
bobbcd and sometimes met the waves
head down. but it covered the distance
rapidly. and that was what Ben want
ed When he rounded the island the
nearest boat was less than an eighth
Of a mile away.
The Mud Hen did not cleave the wa
ter as Il pointed boat would have done.
1t dashed forward recklessly and
buried its prov under comb of falling
spray. Freddie clapped his hands and
shouted gleefully, and Ben himself was
scarcely less excited.
Gradually they gained on the nearest
boat and passed it and then rapidly
Overhauled the next and the next.
When they came in sight of the boat
house, half Il mile away, there We're
but three boats in front Of them.
Ben's lips were tightly closed now,
and he made each tack count for as
much as possible When he changed
his course he brought the boat instant
~ into the wind and never lost see
ond by useless tapping of the sail.
Presently another boat was passed and
then another. Freddie was jubilant
and looked at Ben with shining eyes.
But the captain of the Mud Hen had
Il queer smile on his face. As the two
boats shot forward, prov and prov, he
leaned suddenly against the tiller, and
his boat swerved almost imperceptibly
TO one side. The next instant the other
boat crossed the line scarcely yard in
advance.
Freddie uttered Il cry of dismay and
sank dejectedly on his seat. Ben nod
dcd brightly to the captain of the vic
torious boat and then turned the Mud
Hen toward shore
AS he glided up to the boat landing
Mr.. Freeman stepped down and grasp
cd his hand.
You made II splendid dash that last
half mile" lie cried cordially. Il had
no idea your boat was such racer.
BY the way, that boy who won is a
friend of yours, isn't he+"
Yes, sir"
Glad he got the race, | SUPPOSE
Yes, indeed" eagerly. His father
promised him new boat if Ben
stopped suddenly as he saw the quiz
zical smile on Mr.. Freemans face.
Il see. That is why You gave him the
race then?"
Ren flushed and looked embarrassed
II
"Oh, it's all right Make your racer
East and come into the bOathouSe We
are going to finish the day with Il good
dinner and some speeches. And this
evening all Of you are to come mp to
my house, Hurry! It's beginning to
rain"