The Washington herald., 1911-09-03
Chapter Twenty-FOur
"HURRAH FOR THE CHAMPIONS OF
SHINY RIVER"

@HERE was no need Of longer delay
Il" in getting ready for the start. The
two persons who had been selected
by the representatives Of the nval
- clubs tossed their penny to decide
the choice Of positions, and the IN
side-that u, the right hand sde-fell to
Gated to Captain Thorn, he ordered in
Ready fellows! Up oaE-down-pull"
Instantly the broad blades dipped into the
crystal depths and the slender boat shot
forward.
"Starboard oars, stop rowing-backP com
tnanded the youthful captain, and upon this
clever maneuver the graceful Bonnie Blue
swung as IL on a pivot, coming INTO POSI-
tion without going backward or forward.
A shout OF admiration came from their
friends.
Then the order to get into position was
passed to the Pine Plumes, when without
command that reached the sharpest ear the
Success was ranged alongside Of its rival,
also greeted with an encouraging cheer.
Jay NOBLE nodded pleasantly to his rival,
which brought a frown from his captain;
on Oates appeared as if he meant to be
The suspense was of short durationo The
signal which had been agreed upon was to
be pistol shot, aGriSS 49, weapon was in
the hands OF him who was to fire it.
Ready" answered the rival captains in
the same breath, and scarcely had the word
rung out before the sharp report Of the pistol
ended the deep silence that had fallen upon
the crowds, both Of which cheered heartily,
as twenty.four oars touched the water 81
multaneously, and feathered the spray with
their keen edges.
The cheering on the right bank grew loud.
er, wilder, as their fayorte was seen to forge
ahead of its rival from the very outset.
Captain Thorn's victory is sure! Hurrah
for the Bonnie Blues!'
Don't let 'em beat yer, Abe" yelled
chorus of voices from the left bank.
a thrill of triumph through the frame Of
Captain Thorn, while he shouted some unin-
teligible order to his crew, and set their
stroke faster.
I'VE have got 'eml We have got 'em!" he
cried exultantly in his excitement.
The Success was now half a length aBtern,
nor did Abe seem to be making any effort
to recover the lost ground. He had not
been heard to speak, and though his boys
easy stroke he knew they could maintain un-
"Abe's fooil" declared one Of the watch
ers among those from the pines. He'd no
bizness to let 'em git thet start"
put down yer matches, ye land-lubber!"
retorted Jack, who happened to be within
hearing "Capen York knows how to trim
his ship. Watch him, hearties, when he
AT the same time Jay Noble was saying to
Matt is making a mistake We can never
keep this up, and III be hanged if he isn't
crowdinG ne harder and harder!"
Captain Thorn in his exultation was sway
ing his body faster and faster, as if his crew
was made up Of 80 many pieces Of machinery
that never tired.
we Will show the boodums who's who.
What do you think now, Jay Noble. Of racing
with the rIne conesw
of ,course, Jay could make no reply to
this, had he 30 desired. The haH.mile point
had been passed, and the Bonnie Blues were
five lengths ahead. The cheering now came
entirely from the right bank
During the next half mile the Bonnie Blues
gained somewhat, but not at the rate they
had done on the first quarter though the
Pine Plumes had not quickered their stroke
an iota. Was Abe York going to give up
without making a real effort?
His most lukewarm admirers had begun to
drop behind in the excited mob on the shore,
while the Others had stopped entirely their
encouraging cries.
"A handsome victory is ours, fellows" said
Matt, flushed with triumph.
At that very moment Captain York was
saying;
"A little quicker, eoxswain."
Quietly the order passed from lip to hp
down to Len Branch and on to Coxswain
Oates, who quickly set the stroke at thirty.
six minute.
Though the Bonnie Blues were pulling fully
thirty-eight, 80 much stronger was the stroke
Of their rival that they had stopped gam
ing.
Jay Noble was the first TO discover this
1t did not seem apparent to Captain Thorn.
who continued to shout his orders in an
exultant tone.
The cheering of those who were irving to
keep in sight of the boats, and those who
had been wise enough to station themselves