Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-12

nificent work was telling against the
demoniacal speed that Jake was nit
ting up q few lengths ahead.
Around the saucer they sped, their
marvellous work calling up the same
thrills that put the crowd on raw
edge the first time these two men came
together on the first days meeting
and then on equal terms, so far as
machines went.
If De Roster were Derkum's master,
here was his time to show it, and that
fearless demon swished from straight
away into curve and back again with
a recklessness, though answering
steadiness, that all but made the
throng stop breathing.
Next Blow Falls
And Just at this intense moment.
when a worlds championship was seen
to totter in the balance, a sigh swept
through the crowd as Derkum's ma
chine was seen to let UP, and it became
apparent that he had shut off his en-
CINE. 1t was another case of Derkum's
hard luck. The machine that had been
loaned him had not been sufficiently
filled with gasoline, and his supply OF
that all-enecessary fuel had run out.
Even yet the unthinking ones, who
are always more quick to tear down
favorite than they are to build one
up, were in doubt, but they doubted
with the soft pedal on. Derkum had at
least retrieved himself in part. De Ro-
sier continued his grueling pace and
finished the distance In a new worlds
record time. 1856 3-5-12 AS seconds
faster than the remarkable time made
by De Roster in his world breaking
record of four Sundays ago, 4:09 2-5.
What the Record Means
The speed maintained by De Roster,
In establishing this remarkable new
record is equivalent to an average of
AZ is seconds per mile for each mile
negotiated, and at the rate of almost
precisely rs miles per hour, established
for five consecutive miles. If the I'M
thinking ones could have used their
pencils to have figured out these facts
they would have realized that Derkum
must have been going at a still more
terrific speed to have worn down De
Rosters lead during the time that his
gasoline lasted and hence his ridinN
was even more remarkable than De
Rosters for the time in question. This
in nowise reflects on De Rosters splen-
did performance, but should be pointed
out for the benefit of those who would
detract from a local man who is game
and nervy enough to ride so fearlessly.
The Last Straw
Then came the last straw to break
down Derkum's patience in the shape
of the worst piece of luck OF all in the
fifteen-mile open professional race.
Again De Roster took the lead with
the same field behind him and strung
out much as In the fve-mile race,
he could get his machine working
right. Then again he repeated the
spectacular geat of wearing down De
Rosters lead, who meanwhile was hit
ting a gait that resulted in a new fif-
teen-mile world record at its conclu-
sion. 1t was in the fourth mile, or the
tenth lap, that Derkum began gaining
on De Roster, and for thirty-four laps
of the track these two riders flew
round the circle at speed that liter
ally made the crowd dizzy to follow.
each lap showing a gain of yard or
two for Derkum.
Excitement Becomes Intense
AS Derkum neared De Roster and it
became apparent that >he was going
to get on equal terms with him the
excitement grew intense and cries of
go it, Jake!" "Come on, PAUL" ran
through the crowd, as every one inn
perceptibly strained to the point OF
rigidity and held his breath.
Then Derkum's wheel pushed even
with De Rosters. The two great rid
ers were side by side and STALL main
tanning the speed that had made it
possible for him to wear down Jake's
lead, it looked as if Derkum must as
steadily forge ahead and pass the red
wonder
For fully a lap they rode in this no
sition, yielding an inch, perhaps, but
Immediately regaining 1t and perhaps
taking a gain of an inch in the trans
action--but never more.
Pace Is Heartbreaking
1t was heart breaking, intensely in
spring and excitement pulled up to
the last hole. Thus the two riders
flashed past the grand stand at the
finish line, entering the forty-fourth
lap with eight and half laps more to
go, and thus they swished into the turn
when the stars. the fates or the hoodoo
that had pursued Derkum throughout
the day again stamped hard luck on
the local riders struggle.
AS the spectators riveted their eyes
on the two men they were Mortified to
see Derkum's machine leap away from
the side of De Roster and for a second
mount high on the banked curve, then
wobble for a second as II uncertain
which course to take, and then as
erratically start downward toward the
lower part of the track. Derkum's
hind tire had blown out, and it tangled
itself about the smokes of the rear
Wheel still speeding at the rate of
fifteen or twenty times second, 1t
appeared as If the entire rear portion
of Derkums machine were crumbling
underneath him.
String Men Shudder
Women grasped and men held their
breath. for no one felt that Derkum
could regain control over the head of
hi snachine before being pitched head
long to the bottom of the track. Had
he not been the game, 1evel-headed.
nerveless rider that he is. Derkum
would be in the hospital tonight or still
worse off.
AS it was, he held his machine up to
the line while he shut off the throttle
and showed on his brakes, until he
came to stop in front of the finish
stand.
He had lost perhaps the dream that
he had dreamed for weeks of becoming
a world character by defeating the
worlds greatest motorcyclist, but he
had lost under circumstances that
branded him as the only man who has
yet been able to make De Roster ride
the ride Of his life, and the unthinking
who had found pleasure in jeering this