The Washington herald., 1907-01-20

tempted Whether or not he reaches his
destination within the given time depends
largely upon the weather conditions. He
Is hopeful, though not overconhdent
While he IS confident of his power Of en-
duranee and his speed in weather that is
anything like favorable. he Is aware OF
the fact that particularly unfavorable
weather would prove his undoing
During the first few days of his jour
ney the weather was particularly unfa-
vorable causing him TO lose twelve hours
from his schedule time, which must be
made up at a time when the wind is in
his favor He was hindered consider
ably By two days fncessant rain, and for
two days the wind was against him. In
going against the wind he loses time. and
when the wind Is at bis back he gains
nothing, for he says that the wind has
a tendency to turn his shoes around, and
It requires a constant effort, more !rk-
some than walking to keep them pointed
in the right direction. The wind most
favorable to the wave walker is a light,
gentle breeze at his back. He says that
il the wind is not strong enough TO af-
feet his shoes he gets the benefit OF II in
increased velocity down the stream, and
IN this way. with a current Of seven
miles an hour. he sometimes makes ten
miles an hour with little cxertiOn.
In no case. Prof. Oldrieve says, does
he keep up with the light drift in the
river, but under favorable conditions he
keeps up pretty well with large logs and
other heavy drift, When the wind is
against him. however. the heavy drift
passes him on the water ut twice the
rate of speed that he can possibly travel.
Must Make Three Miles nn Hour.
In order 10 win the wager Prof. Old
rieve must make on his present Journey
an average speed of nearly thirty-eight
miles day. or little better than three
miles an hour. provided that he gets In
twelve hours a day. II still water, with
out any effort from the wind. Prof Old
rieve says his average speed is two miles
an hour. but going down the stream he
can improve on this, though not To the
extent of the velocity Of the current. for
the wind is nearly always more or less
against him and very seldom Of any bene-
fit
At every town or city along the river
the wave walking party is being greeted
by crowds. which increase from day 20
day, as interest In the feat Is awakened
Shrieks from steamboat whistles an
nounce their coming and the people. es-
DcCiaily In the smaller towns, turn out
en- masse to see the wave walker In his
novel feat. In smaller towns schools have
been adjourned. factories shut down, and
business practically suspended while the
entire population assembled on the river
bank 10 watch the passing of the wave
walker.
There is hardly an hour, Prof Old
REEVE says. that there are not from three
70 a dozen skiffs along with his party,
and he says that It would be impossible
FOR him 10 fake even II ne desired to
do SO. Mr. Williams the representative
OF Alfred Woods, the Boston sporting
man. who is betting against the feat.
keeps close in the wake Of the wave
walker. and any attempt on the part Of
the latter 10 deceive would be promptly
reported. in which event he would lose
the wager.
If I win" said Prof. Oldrieve IT Will
win on the square But when asked If
he expected 70 be successful he thought
fully shook his head, and said. Il am
going TO do my level best, but I can't
control the winds"