The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-06
CHAPTER VIII.


tcrnoon. The weather, which often
throws a wet blanket upon the festlvl-
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 field
OF several acres, bordering upon pond.
This had been fitted up by the proprietor
with swings, and 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 60 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"
mo, I'm going this time" said Joshua,
rudely, and clambered in and took his
place as steersman.
The other boat had already set of,
and, as it happened, under the guidance
of Walter Conrad, who had long been &c
customed to managing 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 mar
ly half turned round. The fact was that
Joshua himself knew very little about
steering. In speaking of Walters want
of skill, be had precisely described him
self.
II understand what I'm about" an
swered Joshua, suddenly reversing the
direction, and OVERRIDING the matter, so
as to turn the boat halfway round the
other way.
II hope you do" said Ralph, "but it
don't look much like it,"
II was looking at the other boat"
Joshua condescended to explain, land the
rudder 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, by
his uncertain steering. hindered the pro-
eress of his boat.
Cant we beat the other boat?" ask
ed Joseph Wheeler, who was rowing. Il
can row as we'll as either of those feE
lows"
$50 can l." said Tom Barry; ''lets
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. The
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?" asked Tom, in a tone of vexa-
ton.
Il know more about steering than you
40, Tom Barry" growled Joshua, get
ting red in the face, for he could not
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 be outdone by Walter was particular
ly disagreeable.
1T isn't the steering. it's the rowing,"
he said. "You don't row even"
Wont you try it, then,", said Joe,
"and show us what you can doY"
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
ing it.
"Give way, boys!" be cried; well dis
lance them never fear!"
After making the turn, the Arrow met
the Pioneer after a little distance. There
was abundant room for the boats to pass
ench other. If they had been properly
managed. There was no fault in Wal
ters steering. but, by an awkward blum
der of Joshua's, the Pioneer veered in
her course SO that the Arrow struck her.
to use nautical term. amidships. A
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 anRri:y.
What made you run into us?"
Its your own fault, Joshua" sid
Tom Barry, angrily. you're the most
stupid steerer l ever saw. What made
you turn the boat7"
Its his fault" said Joshua.
Let somebody else steer" said Joe
Wheeler. "A baby could steer better than
be-" =
So younger boy was put in Joshua's
place, much to his modification, and he
was degraded, as he considered Ii. to the
rank of a nassopoer