Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-05
CHAPTER VIII

throws wet blanket upon the festivi-
ties of such occasions. was highly pro
pitious. and several hundred persons
young and middle-aged, turned out. The
place selected for the picnic was a field
Of several acres, bordering upon a pond.
This had been fitted up by the proprietor
with swings. and a rooted building, with
out sides. under which were placed rough
board tables for the reception of prov.s-
ions. A number of oak trees with their
broad branches furnished shelter.
Besides these arrangements for enjoy
ment, there were two boats confined by
iron chains. which were thrown around
trees near the brink of the water. After
enjoying the swing for a time there was
a proposition to go out in the boats. The
boats could comfortably accommodate
eight persons each. This number had
been obtained when Joshua came up.
''I'm going" he said unceremoniouSly.
''You will have to wait till next time"
said Ralph Morse. We've got the full
number
no. I'm going this time" said Joshua,
rndely. and clambered in and took his
place as steersman.
The other boat had already SET eff,
md. as II happened, under the guidance
of Walter Conrad who had long been ac-
customed to managing a boat. having had
one of his own at home
They've got a great steerer on the
other boat" said Joshua, sneering.
'Where are you steering. joshua
asked Ralph, suddenly. for the boat near
IL half turned round. The fact was that
Joshua himself knew very little about
steering. IN speaking of Walters want
of skill, he had precisely described him
self
4 understand what I'm about" an
Ewered Joshua, suddenly reversing the
direction. and overriding the matter, so
as to turn the boat halfway round the
other way.
Il hope You do" said Ralph, but it
don't look much like it,
Il was looking at the other boat"
Joshua condescended to explain. and the
rGdder slipped
Walters boat kept the lead. His per-
feet steering made the task easier for
the rowers, who got the full advantage
OF their efforts. Joshua, however, Ey
his uncertain steering. hndcred the pro-
ercss of his boat
Cant we beat the other boatE'' ask
Ell Joseph Wheeler, who was rowing. Il
can row as well as either of those fell
lows"
$50 can l." said Tom Barry; "let's
Try"
The boats were about five lengths
apart, the rowerS in the foremost Loaf
not having worked very hard. when Tom
and Joe began to exert themselves. IKE
intention was soon manifest, and the
spirit of rivalry was excited
do your best, boys" said Walter.
They're trying to catch us. Don't let
them do it,"
The rowers of the two boats were about
evenly matched. If anything, however.
Tom and Joe were superior. and, other
things being equal. would sooner or later
have won the race. But Joshua, by his
original style of steering. which became
under the influence of excitement even
more unreliable. caused them to lose per-
ceptibly
Cant you steer straight by accident
joshua I" asked Tom in a tone of vexa-
ton
Il know more about steering than YOU
do Tom Barry" growled Joshua, get
ting red in the face, for he could net
help seeing that he was not appearing to
advantage
''Show it. then, if you do" was the re-
ply. IF we had your cousin to steer US,
we could soon get ahead"
This was very Notifying to Joshua. He
did not care TO be outdone by any one. but
TO he outdonc by Walter was particular
IL disagreeable.
1T isn't the steering. it's the rowing"
he said, You don't row even"
Wont you try it. then" said Joe.
land show us what you can do"
"No; I'd rather steer"
Joshua considered that the steersman's
place was the place of honor. and he was
not disposed to yield it. Meanwhile Wal
ter, from his place in the first boat,
watched the efforts of his rivals. He was
determined to keep the lead which he
had secured, and had little fear of los
ins il.
Give way, boys" he cried; well dis
lance them, never fear -
After making the turn. the Arrow met
the Pioneer after little distance. There
was abundant room for the boats to pass
each other. if they had been properly
managed. There was no fault in VEL
ter's steering. but, by an awkward blum
der of IoShun's, the Pioneer veered in
her course so that the Arrow struck her.
10 use a nautical term, amidships. As
she was being impelled rapidly at the
time. the shock was considerable, and the
fright still greater. The girls jumped to
their feet screaming. and Joshua himself
turned pale with fright, but recovered
himself sufficiently to call out angri,y
"What made you run into u.s."
Its your own fault. Joshua" said
Tom Barry, angrily. You're the most
stupid stecrer | ever saw. What made
you turn the boat?"
Its his fault" said Joshua.
Let somebody else steer" said Joe
Wheeler. "A baby could steer better than
he
SO n younger boy was put in Joshus's
place, much TO his modification. and he
was degraded. as he considered it, to the
rank of passenger.
I'm going ashore" he said. sourly
let me out here"
IAN right said Tom Barry Il guess
we can get along without you. Here YOU
fellows on the Arrow, just wait min.
ute till we've landed Joshua. and vel
race yoa back"
True to his determination. Joshus
jumped off at the head of the inlet, ant
the Pioneer was turned by her new pilot
The Arrow and the Pioneer took Their
places side by side, and the race com
mcnccd The boats were similar, and thu,
neither had the advantage on this score
But the rowers ,on the Pioneer were. OF
the whole. stronger, and more skillfu
than those on the Arrow. On the othe
hand. Walter steered perfectly, Will
.Joshua'S successor. though he made NJ
bad blunder was a novice.
The result was that the race was
clear one. Finally the Arrow came in
length ahead, and Walter felt with Quie
satisfaction that the victory had beal
gained by his efforts.
He hoped that he would be as success
full through life in padding his own canoe
Joshua went home sulkily. and was no