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NEWS.
1763
Up to this point’Ben had no intention
. of being an eavesdropper; but as the
words fell from Howard’s lips he would
not have disclosed his presence for the
world.
With ears strained, he listened to catch
every word, :
“In that passage-way,” Jack went on,
“IT shall to-night drive down two or
three stakes, leaving their tops an. inch
* or two under the water, and when Wal-
lace dashes through here he will strike
one or the other cf them, and"—with a
iaugh—“not go much farther.”
“But,” objected Jones, “won't he be apt
‘to see them and avoid them, and so get
an actual start on me; or, if stranded
there, may he not make a fuss and have
‘the race called off?"
“I have provided for both of those pos-
sibilities,” replied Noward, quickly, “In
. ~ case he passes through all right, I shall
be in a boat just around the island end
of the bar, and shall manage so that
whiie I seem to be making every effort to
get out of way, I really foul with him.
‘Then all you have to dois to pull straight
away for the goal.”
“Tt work,” remarked Jones,
; “we must have something of
o win, for we can’t begin to
pull the stroke they did this afternoon. 1
timed them up yonder, Can't you ar-
range to just delay the other boat with-
out actually fouling withthem? Only let
us get a length ortwo-in the lead, and
we are all right.”
. “Dll take care of that, if necessary,”
answered Jack; “but I_don’t think’ it
will be, for. the stakes will fix them in
the reedy passage. Iwas going to tell
you, also, that [
t get us into trouble. I have
pulled up some water-soaked posts down
at Nichol’s water fence, and shall put
them in up there. Then should an inves-
\
rike before,” and. the fellow
laughed heartily at his despicable trick,
~The ‘conspirators now retraced their
steps toward the:village. As soon as they
“were out’ of sight Ben hobbled up the
bank, and gathering up his pole and fish
crossed over to the cabin, muttering to
himself: : ‘
“A nice little’ plot, Jack Howard, but
*twon’t work this time, not if Cripple Ben
knows what he is about
’ CHAPTER IV.,
. THE RACE,
carry out the
““4> had implied
ing; for he built. a
stove and filled the tea-kettle with water,
Then he cleaned and cooked his fish, and
when his mother returned from her work
at a little past six o'clock an inviting,
though simple repast. was upon the table,
* Not until the Supper was finished, and
the dishes washed and put away in the
tiny cupboard for the night, did the lad
give any intimation that he had any
special plan he intended to execute,
Then, however, he put onhis hat an
took his crutches, saying:
“T have to go up to the v
urpose his soliloquy
@. was contemplat-
illage, mother,
“Up to the village to-night!" exclaimed
she, in great surprise, for Ben seldom
went out after nightfall. «What are you
going up there for?”
The boy had no secrets from his mother,
and briefly recounted the plot he had
overheard, ‘and added:
“I'm going up to the institute. to tell
Harry Wallace all about it.”
“Of course, he ought to know it,” as-
sented Mrs, Probert; “but won’t the
morning do just as well? I hate to have
you go up there in the dark.” .
“No,” replied Ben, with the decisive-
ness which characterized him when once
~his mind was m: up; “he ought to
know it to-night. so as to have time for
offsetting those fellows, [ shall get along
all right.”
-His mother remonstrated no further,
but Jooked anxiously’ after him until he
disappeared up the street. .
t was quite a distance of the v
$ and nearly as far ont on the opposite side
; - to the institute.
hill to ¢
Of the janitor, whom he found in the
main corridor of the dormitory, he in-
7 fired for Harry Wallace, ‘and was kind-
old:
“Ie rooms on the third floor of the
west division, but it will be too much for
you to climb up two pairs of stairs to
him; wait a moment and I will send him
own to you,”
Harry was at liberty to respond to the
Janitor’s call.
have arranged so they | e
oo . «4 | Pi
N arriving at the house, Ben did
not seem to be in any hurry to| one
firein the kitchen |
“Good-evening,” he said, cordially, and
offering his hand to the cripple boy; “the
janitor says' you have something special
to tell me.” ~
“Yes,” Ben replied, shaking the ex-
tended hand heartily; “but I must see
ou alone, and where we will not be over-
eard.
Then, noticing Uarry’s surprised look,
he continued in a low tone:
“It is about the race to-morrow,”
“Wait a moment,” Harry promptly re-
plied; “my room is too far up for you to
climb there, and then it is full of the fel-
lows; Nn a place.”
The janitor, who had descended with
Harry to the lower hall, was still within
call, and Harry hurried over to him and
consulted with him a brief time in low
tones. Then he returned with the man
to Ben, sayi
“The jani
class-rooms in the next
we can talk undisturbed.
Three minutes thereafter the two boys
were alone, and Ben quickly told his
story. If larry was surprised at the rey-
elation, he gave no evidence of it; per
haps it was nothing more than he ex-
pected of his opponents. Wistling softly
to himself for a few moments after Ben
had finished his tale, as though in deep
thought, he then said:
“I can take care of Howard and his
boat, and, now that I know of his pur-
ose, I don’t care the snap of my fingers
or all the fouling with us he may do;
but Ishould like to have those stakes
taken out of the reed passage. Yousee if
we don’t go through there now, the other
ng:
tor will let us into one of the
i building, where
I'd rather they
wouldn’t have any such idea. I want it
of their intentions, and whatever takes
place to-morrow was but a natural miscar-
riage of their plans,”
“I see,” responded Ben, with quick in-
tuition grasping his friend's arrange-
ment for thwarting the whole plot, “and
I'll fix it about those stakes. You can go
trough” there all night to-morrow; they
shan’t be in your way.”
“But it is too much to ask you to take
them out,” protested Harry, glancing un-
intentionally, perhaps, at’ Ben’s crippled
TIN. .
“No, it isn’t,” the boy resolutely de-
clared; “I’m as strong i
al
age
an Tong Bar is a bang-up place to
catch seup. I'll go up there in the morn-
ing before light for that purpose, and,
assing through the reeds, I'll pull the
stakes up. *m seen up there by any
he won't think anything about it,
while if one of you institute fellows was
off there "twould give the whole thing
“Very well, and you shall lose nothing
by doing that w ‘or comin,
But how shall I know sure that you have
succeeded in getting the sticks out of the
won't do to run any risk, you
wa
&
now,
“Of course not,” answered Ben, prompt-
ly; “and we'll fix that. I will be sitting
on the bank afew rods below the pass-
age, and if I take off my hat and swing
it when I cheer‘ you off, you can know it
is all right for you to
: and may be yone some time; but you|Iswing only my hand you can know I
ee needn t worry, as I shall be back as soon | have failed.” Please don t say anything
. ~- as possible, about paying me, however, for my com-
ing up here or doing the other work, for
Yr lo ten times as much any time to
help you out,” and the look he gave his
companion showed that his heart was in
his words,
Wallace understood the boy, and with
a hearty shake of the hands, and many
rofuse thanks for the kindness shown
im, he accompanied him to the outer
gate of the institution grounds, where
they parted. - .
The next day proved tobe bright and
clear, A large crowd had collected at the
starting Pisce when the appointed hour
came, and as the shells reached their po-
sitions, wild cheers rang on the air,
Their places were decided by lot, the high
school crew getting the inside, that Is
the right berth, and thus having the ad-
vantage so far as position could give it.
The signal to start was a pistol-shot,
and as the sharp report rang out, like so
many flashes of light, the oars dipped,
and ‘away sped the boats on the three-
‘mile race.
Cheer after cheer came
tors as the rivals shot up
to neck.
“Well
“The 0
from the specta-
the stream neck
mated,” cried one of the crowd.
I. V. I.'s are gaining,” shouted
another. :
“Hurrah for the M. H. S. crew!" hal-
looed a third, . ’
“Rah! Rah! Rah!” rang out the cheers
of the institute boys.
e exclamations went the rounds,
while the rowers bent every energy to
their task. They were for.a time well
matched, but the first bend of the river
So
to look just as though we knew nothing|o
sent the M. V. I. shell a half-length
ahead, and the channel through the reeds
was now at hand,
Wallace’s quick eye scanned the right
bank of the stream.’ True to his promise,
Cripple Ben is seated on the summit just
opposite, and now he takes off his hat
and swings it high above his head,
“Hurrah! for the M. V. I.’s!” he cries,
and then his hat swings more frantically
than ever, .
“The passage is clear,” Harry says, in
low but distinct tones to his crew; then
he gives the command: -“On, boys, on!”
and with bent backs and steady stroke
the shell shoots among the reeds.
From his position in the boat Wallace
sees, both by the looks and by a certain
hesitancy on the part of his rivals, that
they are expecting each moment to see
his shell crash upon a hidden stake.
Aniid prolonged cheers from the spec-
tators, the institute boat reappears a mo-
ment later from the rank growth, and
shoots into the main channela full length
ahead of the other.
en the race becomes thrilling. Never
had the Melrose, the scene of many a trial
of oars, witnessed the equal of that day’s
4
rom the reedy channel to Long Bar
there was no perceptible change in the rel-
ative positions of the racers. eM. V.
I.’s held all they had gained at the marsh,
but not a single inch did they add to it,
Yet all they had really to do was to
maintain that to the end.
this stirring moment the Bar was
reached, and around its island end the
greatest curve of the course must be
made, Here was the opportunity for the
Ml, 11. S. crew to regain their lost’ ground
and as though they realized it, they leaped
nm with a tremendous spurt.
The next instant a warning cry came
from the knot of eye-witnesses on the ad-
jacent bank, and Wallace scarcely needed
to look over his shoulder to be told what
it meant. A third boat was shooting
around the bend, and came directly into
the course of the M. V. I. shell.
It contained but one occupant—Jack
Howard. As if anticipating the inevit-
able collision, he seemingly strove ener-
getically to sheer off, though in reality
getting more and more in the way.
4 supreme moment of the race had
come, and it was well for Harry that he
Was prepared for it. A quick turn of his
oot upon the rudder brakes headed bi.
shell directly forthe lighter craft, and
joud and clear rang out his command to
his comrades:
“Now boys, together, pull!”
His crew, prepared for the emergency,
also responded with a precision as perfect
as though but one man, and under all the
strength of their united arms the boat
unded straight across the track to
strike the intruder upon her starboard
quarter,
2
ees
B
{TO BE CONTINUED.)
—_++-+—___
CLEVER ROGUES.
It is doubtful if any race of swindlers
can quite equal the Asiatic. The smile,
which is childlike and bland, of the ac-
gomplished Chinaman, often masks a pro-
fundity of cunning and a dexterity in
fraud ‘that the Caucasian cannot rival.
Even the mild Iindoo has a faculty for
rupee, and then scrape out the silver from
the inside, leaving only a sort of sbell,
without damaging the impression on the
rim. Lead is th poured gently in,
mixed with some alloy, which gives the
requisite ring, and the hole is carefully
closed. -
Only a keen and experienced eye can
detect the imposture. The silver’ which
is thus abstracted will be worth nearly
a shilling, and the manipulator has still
his rupee to spend. ut the operation
may occupy him the greater portion of
week, during which time he might
have earned two rupees by honest work!
cd
——- +-+—___.
) (LIFE-BELTS FOR SWLMMING.
An excellent and cheap life-belt for
persons learning to swim may be easily
made by taking a yard and three-quarters
of strong jeans, doubling and dividing it
into nine compartments. A space of two
inches should he left after each third
compartment, Fill these divisions with
very fine cuttings of cork, which may
be made by slicing up old corks, or the
material can be purchased from a dealer.
Eyelet holes should be worked at the
bottom of each compartment to allow
drainag for the water that will soak
through. The neck-band waist-
strings for securing it to the body should
mi placing a layer of
cork or cork cuttings inthe lining of a
vest,- quilting it at intervals to prevent
bunching, is. of course, will repaire
'@ aouble lining in the back, : .
THE SCOUTS ADVENTURE.
BY W. 8. BLAIR.
——
oe
UR story will carry the reader back
a little Jess than a hundred years,
when all north of the Ohio River
“4 was an almost unbroken wiider-
ness—the mysterious red man's home.
On the other side a bold and hardy band
from beyond the mountains had built
heir log cabins, and were trying to sub-
ue the wilderness, To them the hour
was full of peril. The Indians would
often cross the river, steal their children
and horses, and kill and sca)p any victim
who came in their way.
Lately the Indians had not manifested
any hostile designs, and the bold pioneers
were congratulating themselves on escap-
ing their vengeance, when they received
startling inelligence that a large band of
Indians were on the war-path, and to al
appearances coming directly toward their
small settlement.
Two experienced scouts, named James
Jones and Samuel Smith, were imme-
diately selected, and started to exaniine
into the truth of the report. The scouts
soon reached the river, and procuring a
canoe, they. took their places, and im-
mediately left the bank.
It wasa little before midnight when
they set forth on their expedition. The
darkness was increasing, though the
night was still clear, and the light of the
stars sufliced for all the purposes of the
adventurers. Smith directed the course,
while his athletic companion raised an
dipped his paddles with proper caution,
lest the sounds should be carried to the
ears of their enemies in the stillness of
the deep night,
The bark was too light to require any
extraordinary efforts, and skill, supplye
ing the place of strength, in about half
an hour they were approaching the shore
at a point near a league from where they
started,
“Lay on your paddles, Jim,”
Smith, in a low voice, “and let us look
about us for a moment, We must iow
e all eyes and ears, for these vermin
have noses like bloodhounds,”
The shores of the river were examined
closely, inorder to dis any glim-
mering of light that might have been left
in a camp, and the scouts strained their
in the obscuri
'
alon as it arose from
the dying embers of a fire.
Nothing unusual could be traced, and
asthe position was some distance from
the spot where the savages had been, it
was thought best to land.
were plied again, and the brow of the
canoe ground en the beach with a gentle
movement, and a sound barely audible,
Smith immediately landed, using so
much caution as to stop at every third or
fourth step to listen if any tread betrayed
the presence of a foe. Inthe meantime,
Jones pulled the canoe up into a_ clump
of bushes hiding it’ effectually. He had
barely finjshed when be heard the sharp ~
whip-like crack of a rifle, and looking
ardund saw his companion at some dis-
tance from the shore lyirg apparently
lead, For asinlge moment he thought
of turning and fighting his way to the
inanimate body of his friend; but an in-
fernal yell, such as an Amercian savage
alone can raise, proclaimed the quick ap-
proach of the nearest of bis enemies, and -
the instinct of life triumphed. Prepar-
deadly rifle. The Indians were constantly
firing at him, but owing to the darkness.
were not able to take accurate aim. See-
ing this he raised himself upright and
commenced rowing rapidly. Te
pulled about a dozen strokes when he be-
came conscious that someting impeded his
plogress, Watching or a few
moments he discovered a large savage
clinging to the how of the canoe and try-
ing toturn it from its course. i
contriving to seize his rifle he turned sud.
denly and brought the butt, down on the
unprotected head of the Indian, who sank
instantly, Then pulling to the shere he
started for the settlement, which he
succeeded in reaching without any further
adventure, confirming the report, and
relating the sad story of the death of his
companion to his sorrowing friends,
The Indians had expected to take the
settlers by surprise, and now- knowing
they had been warned, and would be
able to repel any attack they could make,
passed on to some more unprotected set-
tlement where they coul. fully satiafy
thelr bloodthiraty deafies;
x