CHAPTER XXXI.
THE RACES.
Ben did not refer to his discovery, and after he had explained thereasons why he had returned alone to the camp he joined Mrs. Cope, whowas seated in a camp-chair on the high bluff, and delightedly watchingthe constantly shifting scene which the great river presented. Thepleasure Jock's mother felt in the marked improvement in her son'sappearance was certainly shared by his two friends, and Bob demurelyremarked that he even had hopes that Ben and Bert would also"improve," a wish which Ben laughingly declared was destined to beblighted.
As the shadows of evening began to appear, the return of the absentmembers of the party at once drew the attention of all to them, andwhile Ethan and Tom prepared supper, Mr. Cope described his visit tothe old schoolhouse, and the enjoyment he had experienced inrevisiting the scenes of his boyhood. His wife declared that shebelieved he had regained some of his boyish spirits too, for it hadbeen long since she had seen him so animated and enthusiastic.
Just as Ethan announced that supper was ready, a skiff was seenapproaching the dock, and a messenger-boy advanced with severaltelegrams, which Mr. Cope had left word at the hotel should beforwarded to the camp.
As Mr. Cope tore open the yellow envelopes, Ethan curiously observedhis old-time friend, and when the telegrams had been read, said,--
"I hope ye haven't had any bad news, Jock?"
Mr. Cope laughed as he replied, "Rather bad for me, I fear. I shallhave to return to New York to-night. You see, Ethan, I can't have morethan a day off. I almost envy you your freedom."
"Did they send ye word in the telegrams?" inquired the boatman.
"Yes. They are about important business engagements."
"Bus'ness!" exclaimed Ethan. "I didn't s'pose any one ever telegraphedjist about bus'ness. I thought nobody ever telegraphed unless somebodywas dead. Hi Perkins once telegraphed to his ma when he thought hewas goin' to die with the pewmony; but it costs four shillin' for tenwords, I'm told. Must be mighty important business what would makeanybody send ye five or six on 'em."
"It is important; so important that I shall have to go back to the Bayand start for home to-night. I'm sorry, too. But then, if a businessman doesn't have very much outside pleasure in life, his wife andchildren can have it, and he must take his in knowing that."
Soon after supper Mr. Cope bade good-by to the boatman and boys, andwith Mrs. Cope and Jock departed for Alexandria Bay. Jock was toremain at the hotel for the night, but was to return to the camp inthe morning, though his mother was to stay at the hotel until the boysshould be ready to break camp and go home with her.
Apparently Jock's mother enjoyed the experience of the days whichfollowed as much as did the boys themselves. Every day she was rowedover to Pine Tree Island, and sometimes the boys were persuaded toreturn with her for a dinner at the hotel, or to be present of anevening when something of special interest was occurring in theparlors.
Her friends, the Clarkes, also did much to add to the pleasure, forwith their yacht they made various trips among the islands, or plannedfor picnics which were a never failing source of delight to all.
At last came the great day of the canoe races, and as it had beenarranged that all the friends should go on Mr. Clarke's yacht to theplace selected, and take a position on the river from which the racescould be seen from beginning to end, the occasion had been lookedforward to with great anticipations.
When the happy party stopped at the dock for Mrs. Cope and the boys,the greetings were unusually enthusiastic, for a more perfect day hadnot been seen since the campers had come to Pine Tree Island.
A few masses of silver clouds could be seen in the sky, but the sunwas shining clear and strong. A gentle breeze ruffled the surface ofthe river, and the air was delightfully cool and bracing. Life wasindeed worth living now, and as the light-hearted members of the partyassembled on board the yacht, their laughter and joyous expressionsseemed all a part of the day.
When Ben quietly picked up his canoe and placed that too on board, ashout greeted him; but as all already knew that he was determined toenter the contest, for he previously had entered his name, no one wassurprised; but when, a moment later, Bob came, bringing with him adress-suit case, evidently heavily laden, a fresh shout of surprisewas given him.
"Oh, I knew Ben would fall into the water," he declared, "so I havebrought a change of clothing for him. I'm very tender-hearted. It's mynature, though, and I can't help it, so you needn't bestow any praiseon me."
"I shouldn't be surprised if you needed a change yourself," rejoinedBen, "before you've finished your race."
"Whom are you talking about?" demanded Bob, in surprise. "I haven'thad any time to practise. I've been too busy."
"I know all about your busy-ness," retorted Ben, sharply.
Bob glanced up quickly, but Ben was looking out over the river now,and it was impossible to catch his eye. The yacht was free from thedock by this time, and was speeding swiftly down the river. For atime, apparently, all other things were forgotten in the joy of themorning. Other parties could be seen on the river, and it was evidentthat they too had started for the same destination, and as the voyagecontinued, the number of the boats steadily increased. Canoes, skiffs,steam-yachts, launches, sailboats, all were there, some draped withbright colors, all displaying flags, and every one carryingeager-hearted spectators who were acting as if life never had known acare or sorrow.
At last our party arrived at the place where the races were to beheld, and bright-colored buoys, indicative of the course, could beseen on the water. Patrol boats kept the course free, and Mr. Clarkesoon selected a favorable place and his yacht was anchored.
Ben now prepared to take his canoe and start for the head of thecourse, where all those who were to participate were to assemble. Ashe lowered the canoe into the water, Bob approached him, and saidsoberly,--
"I think I'll go with you, Ben. I've got your clothes here, andyou'll need some one to look after you. I'm the kind-hearted friend todo that very thing."
"I was expecting you to say that," replied Ben. "I was wondering whyyou didn't speak up before. Where's your craft, Bob?"
"My craft! Why, I haven't any here, and you know it;" but a peculiartwinkle in Ben's eye caused him to approach, and a whisperedconversation at once followed.
No one of the others could hear what was said, but the result wasapparent when Ben consented to his friend's going with him, and in abrief time both boys were in the canoe, and Ben was ready to push off.
"You'll not forget that we have some luncheon on board, boys," calledMiss Bessie. "You'll surely be back in time to have some of that."
"Don't be alarmed," laughed Ben. "I never knew Bob to be late foranything of that kind. I trust you have enough; for he'll be hungry, Ican promise you."
A cheer followed the boys as Ben dipped his paddle in the water, andthe canoe darted forward under his powerful strokes. His long formwas not particularly graceful, but the speed of his canoe promisedwell, and Jock turned to the others and said,--
"I shouldn't be surprised if Ben did get a place in the finals to-day.He's improved wonderfully. The way he has kept at it is a lesson forus all. I wish he might win. I wonder what Bob really went with himfor? Do you know I half suspect he's got a scheme of some kind of hisown."
No one replied, for the sound of a pistol was now heard, and the firstof the races was begun. It was a contest between cat-boats, and as thebeautiful little crafts swept into sight and dipped low before thestrong and favoring breeze, the shrill whistles of the steam-yachts,the waving of handkerchiefs, and the shouts of the people welcomedthem.
As no one in our party was acquainted with any of the participants inthis race, their interest naturally was not as keen as it was to be insome of the contests which were to follow, but they nevertheless wereenthusiastic observers of the man[oe]uvres of the skilfully handledboats. On they came, keeping well in line, their white sails andwhiter sides glistening in the sunlight, and presenting a wondrouslybeautiful spectac
le as they swept down the river.
As Mr. Clarke now discovered that most of the yachts were notanchored, but were free to follow the contestants outside the buoys,he, too, took his anchor on board and steamed down the river so thatthey could watch the boats all the way. The shores of the islands werelined with interested spectators, and the waving of bunting, and thecheers of the people, as the fleet boats approached, redoubled.
At last the stake was turned, and the boats started on the homestretch. They were not bunched as they had been, but three had gainedover their rivals, and, well together, were tacking and striving eachto gain an advantage over the others. It could be seen now that onewas more skilfully handled than the other two, and soon it wasdistinctly gaining upon both. On and on they came, and finally the_Thistle_, bending gracefully before the breeze, swept first acrossthe line, the men on board swinging their caps and shouting in theirdelight, while the screams of the whistles and the cheers of thespectators sounded shrilly in response. It certainly was a veryinspiring sight, and the party on board Mr. Clarke's yacht, thoughthey were strangers to the winners, were cheering as lustily in theirdelight as if it had been one of their own company who had secured thefirst prize.
A race between canoes equipped with double bat-winged sails followed,and the stirring scene was again enacted. The whistles blew andbanners were waved, and the winning boat was as lustily cheered as thesuccessful one in the first contest had been.
Then followed a contest between canoes with a single bat-wing sail,and once more the interest of the spectators voiced itself in the sameexpressive manner which had been used before.
The excitement on the yacht very markedly increased when it waslearned that the next race was to be between canoes with one paddlerin each.
In the row of beautiful little canoes which took their places in line,Ben's long form could be easily distinguished. As the party hailed hisappearance with a cheer, Ben turned and discovered them, and whilestriving to wave his cap in response, almost destroyed his balance,and was very nearly thrown into the river.
There was no disposition among his friends to laugh now, and the girlsuttered a little cry of dismay at the threatened mishap; but as Benspeedily regained his balance, they all became silent as they watchedhim intently. His long arms were bare, and his bright red sweater wasto be easily distinguished in the line. In a moment the pistolsounded, and the racers were off.
There were seven contestants, and their paddles struck the watertogether. For a few minutes the line was almost unbroken; then itcould be seen that three or four were pulling ahead of their rivals,and among the number was Ben. Faster and faster swept the frail littlebarks, and the interest of the spectators was evidently much keenerthan it had been in the other contests. The forms of the paddlersseemed to move like clock-work. The paddles were dipped rapidly andsteadily, and the race between the leaders was very close. Slowly Bengained upon his nearest rival and passed him, and then, with longer,swifter strokes, strove to gain upon the two who were still in advanceof him.
Inch by inch, foot by foot, the distance decreased. Soon only abouttwenty yards remained between him and the end. Once more thedetermined boy bent to his task. His body swayed back and forth, thepaddle was driven deeper into the water, and the light canoe seemed togain increased speed. People were cheering wildly all about him, and acloud of banners seemed to be waving on every side.
Again Ben responded, and was striving to use all his remaining power.He was not directly behind his competitors, being several yards totheir left, and now he was not more than two feet in their rear. Ifonly the course were a little longer, he thought, he would surely win;but shutting his teeth firmly together, he doggedly resolved to do hisbest. His eyes were almost closed, and his breath was coming in gasps.
Suddenly there was a moment of intense silence, as the shoutingabruptly ceased, but Ben was oblivious of it all. In a moment,however, the shouting redoubled, there was a shrill screech of thewhistles, and Ben knew that he was across the line and alone.
As he turned about he discovered that his competitors had met with amishap, and that one, in his zeal, had paddled directly into theother, and both canoes had been capsized in the collision. Theirmisfortune had left Ben the winner.
The yacht speedily approached, and as the girls waved theirhandkerchiefs and his friends called out their approval, Mr. Clarkeassisted him to come on board.
"I can congratulate you on winning the race," said Mr. Clarke,cordially.
"Oh, I haven't won it," replied Ben, his flushed face beaming withpleasure. "That's only the preliminary. The finals are to come offthis afternoon."
Somewhat disappointed, the party was headed up the river again, andsoon approached the starting-place. They all laughed when they learnedthat a tub race was now to take place, and the astonishment of allexcept Ben was great when they discovered that one of the contestantswas none other than their missing friend, Bob.