The Washington herald., 1911-08-06
Captains of Honor
Handles aft! bodies aft"

1t seemed long time to the would-be row
ers before Jack would allow them to take
their first stroke. Not until he had got the
posture of every boy just to his fancy did he
call out, in his stentorian tone:
Now for the beginnin'! Ready-up-down
-drop-pull!"
The amateur boatsmen did as well as might
have been expected, but more or less con-
fusion was raised by their failure to act in
complete unison and Kit Coin. in his eager
ness to pull good stroke, did not dip deep
enough, 80 he was sent over backward by
the sudden letting up of his oar.
Immediately following Kits mishap, merry
followed by peals Of laughter.
"Rowin' dry" exclaimed Jack, contemp-
tuously. Look out next time, younker, thet
ye kiver the blade afore ye pull. Now, then,
ready ready 1S,I,,t for the besinnin'. Ready-uD-d0wn-
A loud hurrah from the bank rang on the
scene, as the maneuver was executed with
reasonable unison of movement, and the
boat amid furious splashing and lurching
darted smartly down the stream.
Here we go!" cried Kit, Little Queer
losing no time in echoing the exultant declara;
ton, but they had barely taken the second
stroke, when Jack ordered:
"Hold-rest"
one or two of the boys came near falling
''Cap'n, York will now take charge O. his
crew, an we want to mind him to a t."
Abe then drilled the boys until they could
go through the first stroke in all its parts in
credtable manner, though once the sharp
voice Of Jack rang out:
Port! Port yer helm-quick! Would ye
run us on the bank, ye little cubs"
The Reel i Of & the Success S grated ,i for S. mo
her around, and they rowed down into the
larger river, when Jack said:
'Avast there, ye young lubbers Rest,
while / tell ye how to regulate yer strokes
nor tail to yer retchin' an strikin'."
As soon as the rowers had rested their oars,
Jack resumed
''The coxswain fixes yer stroke by the
movements @ his body, thus" beginning to
sway himself back and forth with increasing
rapidity. Keep yer eye on him, an the
faster he moves, the faster We wanter to pull.
Now, Cap'n York, begin at the start, an
We'll take cruise up the river"
BY this time it was sunset but it was
scene the boys were likely never to forget
Though in midsummer, it was cool enough
for them to pull with comfort, and, as they
glided over the sparkling water, it seemed
the grandest sport they had ever known.
A ringing shout from those who were
watching them out of sight from the bank
was answered by triumphant huzzas, while
the Success went on more swiftly than ever
While the Pine Phmes were doing exceed
ingly well for their initial trial. the exactng
old sailor was not willing to finish the lesson
without renewal of the practice of getting
a stroke to suit him.
1t was thus an hour after sunset before he
consented to let Abe resume command, and
the tired crew were glad to head the prov
of the Success toward the landing place.
The crowd had long, since gone home, and
all was quiet along the bank of the river,
until suddenly piercing cry rang shrilly on
the still evening air, followed BY startling
appeals for help, half drowned by other and
angrier shouts, that bore menace of dan
ger.
These outcries came over the water clearly
to the ears Of the rowers, who quickly rested
upon their oars, to listen to the medley of
sounds, but the boat had barely come to a
standstill before Captain York cried:
ITS OIL! Somebody's doing him harm.
Pull, boys, pull for the shore!7
CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY