The Yacht Club; or, The Young Boat-Builder

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER IX.

  THE SKYLARK AND THE SEA FOAM.

  Frank Norwood was the time-keeper, and he stood with his watch in hishand. Each yacht was to pass to windward of the Penobscot, and comeround her stern, reporting as she did so. Sam Rodman was to call "time"when the foremast of each yacht was in range with a certain chimney of ahouse on the main shore. At the word Frank was to give the time, andDonald was to write it down on his schedule. Everything was to be donewith the utmost accuracy. The Skylark was rapidly approaching, with theSea Foam nearly half a mile astern of her. The Phantom and Christabelwere not far behind the Sea Foam, while the rest were scattered alongall the way over to Turtle Head.

  "Ready there!" shouted Donald, as the Skylark came nearly in range ofthe Penobscot and the chimney.

  "All ready," replied Sam Rodman.

  The gun forward had been loaded, and a seaman stood at the lock-string,to salute the first boat in.

  "Time!" shouted Sam, as the mainsail of the Skylark shut in the chimneyon the shore; and the six-pounder awoke the echoes among the hills.

  "Twelve, forty, and thirty-two seconds," added Frank, as he took thetime from the watch.

  "Twelve, forty, thirty-two," repeated Donald, as he wrote it on theschedule.

  The crowd on the judges' yacht cheered the commodore as the Skylarkrounded the Penobscot, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs at himwith desperate enthusiasm.

  "I thought you said the Sea Foam was to beat the Skylark," said NelliePatterdale.

  "I think she may do it yet," replied Donald.

  "And Sam's new boat must beat them both, Don John," laughed Maud Rodman.

  "Time!" called Sam.

  "Twelve, forty-five, two," added Frank.

  "Twelve, forty-five, two," repeated Donald, writing down the time.

  By this time the Skylark had come about, not by gybing,--for the windwas too heavy to make this evolution in safety,--but had come round headto the wind, and now passed under the stern of the Penobscot.

  "Skylark!" reported the commodore.

  A few minutes later the Sea Foam did the same. The Phantom came in aminute after the Sea Foam, and for a few moments the judges were verybusy taking the time of the next four boats. The Juno did not arrivetill half past one, and she was the last one. As fast as the yachtsrounded the Penobscot, they went off to the line and picked up theircables and anchors. The captains of the several craft which had sailedin the race then boarded the Penobscot to ascertain the decision of thejudges.

  "You waxed me badly, Robert," said Ned Patterdale, who was mortified atthe defeat of the Sea Foam, though he kept good-natured about it.

  "I still think the Skylark can't be beaten by anything of her inches,"replied Commodore Montague.

  "I am rather disappointed in the Sea Foam," added Ned.

  Donald heard this remark, and he was much disturbed by it; for itseemed like a reproach upon the skill of his father, and an imputationupon the reputation of Ramsay and Son. If the yachts built by the "firm"were beaten as badly as the Sea Foam had been, though she had outsailedthe Phantom, it would seriously injure the business of the concern. Thedefeat of the Sea Foam touched the boat-builder in a tender place, andhe found it necessary to do something to maintain the standing of thefirm. He knew just what the matter was; but under ordinary circumstanceshe would not have said a word to damage the pride of the present ownerof the Sea Foam.

  "I am sorry you are not satisfied with her, Ned," said Donald.

  "But I expected too much of her; for I thought she was going to beat theSkylark," replied Ned Patterdale. "I think you encouraged me somewhat inthat direction, Don John."

  "I did; and I still think she can beat the Skylark."

  "It's no use to think so; for she has just beaten me four minutes and ahalf; and that's half a mile in this breeze. Nothing could have beenmore fairly done."

  "It was all perfectly fair, Ned; but you know that winning a race doesnot depend entirely upon the boat," suggested Donald, hinting mildly athis own theory of the defeat.

  "Then you think I didn't sail her well?" said Ned.

  "I think you sailed her very well; but it could not be expected that youwould do as well with her as Bob Montague with the Skylark, for he hassailed his yacht for months, while you have only had yours a few weeks.This is a matter of business with me, Ned. If our boats are beaten, welose our work. It is bread and butter to me."

  "If it was my fault, I am sorry she was beaten, for your sake, Don John;but I did my best with her," replied Ned, with real sympathy for hisfriend.

  "Of course I am not going to cry over spilt milk."

  "Do you really think the Sea Foam can beat the Skylark?"

  "I think so; but I may be mistaken. At any rate, I should like thechance to sail the Sea Foam with the Skylark. I don't consider itexactly an even thing between you and the commodore, because he has hadso much more experience than you have," replied Donald.

  "You believe you can sail the Sea Foam better than I can--do you, DonJohn?"

  "It wouldn't be pleasant for me to say that, Ned."

  "But that's what you mean?"

  "I have explained the reason why I spoke of this matter at all, Ned. Itis bread and butter to me, and I hope you don't think I am vain."

  Ned was a little vexed at the remarks of his friend, and ratherindignant at his assumed superiority as a boatman. Donald was usuallyvery modest and unpretentious. He was not in the habit of claiming thathe could do anything better than another. Generally, in boating matters,when he saw that a thing was done wrong, he refrained from criticisingunless his opinion was asked, and was far from being forward infault-finding. Though he was an authority among the young men in sailingboats, he had not attained this distinction by being a critic andcaviller. Ned was therefore surprised, as well as indignant, at thecomments and the assumption of Donald; but a little reflection enabledhim to see the boat-builder's motive, which was anything but vanity. Hehad some of this weakness himself, and felt that he had sailed the SeaFoam as well as any one could have done it, and was satisfied that theSkylark was really a faster yacht than his own. The race was plainsailing, with a free wind nearly all the way, and there was not muchroom for the exercise of superior skill in handling the craft. At least,this was Ned's opinion. If the course had been a dead beat to windwardfor ten miles, the case would have been different; and Ned had failed tonotice that he had lost half the distance between the Skylark and theSea Foam when he rounded the stake buoy.

  It was a fact that among the large party on board the Penobscot, theboats of the firm of Ramsay and Son were just then at a discount, andthose of the Newport builders at a corresponding premium. Donald wasgrieved and vexed, and trembled for the future of the firm of which hewas the active representative. But he figured up the results of therace, and when the captains of all the yachts had come on board of thejudges' boat, he announced the prizes and delivered them to the winners,with a little speech. The silver vase was given to the commodore, withliberal and magnanimous commendations both of the yacht and her captain.The marine glass was presented to Edward Patterdale, as the winner ofthe second prize, with some pleasant words, which did not in the leastbetray the personal discomfiture of the chairman. There was a furtherceremony on the quarter-deck of the Penobscot, which was not in theprogramme, and which was unexpected to all except the officers of theclub.

  "Captain Laud Cavendish, of the Juno," said the chairman of the judges,who stood on the trunk of the yacht, where all on board, as well asthose in the boats collected around her, could see him.

  Laud stepped forward, wondering what the call could mean.

  "I find, after figuring up the results of the race," continued thechairman, glancing at the schedule he held in his hand, "that you areentitled to the third and last prize. By carefully timing the movementsof your excellent craft, and by your superior skill in sailing her, youhave contrived to come in--last in the race; and the officers of theclub have instructed the judges to award this medal to you. I
have thehonor and the very great pleasure of suspending it around your neck."

  The medal was made of sole leather, about six inches in diameter.Attached to it was a yard of stove-pipe chain, by which it was hungaround the neck of the winner of the _last_ prize. A shout of laughterand a round of applause greeted the presentation of the medal. Laud didnot know whether to smile or get mad; for he felt like the victim of apractical joke. Miss Nellie Patterdale stood near him, and perhaps herpresence restrained an outburst of anger. Mr. Montague, the father ofthe commodore, had provided a bountiful collation in the cabin of thePenobscot, and the next half hour was given up to the discussion of therepast. Laud tried to make himself agreeable to Nellie, and the poorgirl was persecuted by his attentions until she was obliged to breakaway from him.

  "Don John, I am told that everybody is satisfied with this race exceptyou," said Commodore Montague, as the party went on deck after thecollation.

  "I am satisfied with it," replied Donald. "Everything has been perfectlyfair, and the Skylark has beaten the Sea Foam."

  "But you still think the Sea Foam can outsail the Skylark?"

  "I think so; but of course I may be mistaken."

  "You believe that Ned Patterdale didn't get all her speed out of the SeaFoam," added the commodore.

  "I don't mean to say a word to disparage Ned; but he don't know the SeaFoam as you do the Skylark."

  "There is hardly a particle of difference between the boats."

  "I know it; but you have had so much more experience than Ned, that heought not to be expected to compete with you. If you will exchangeboats, and you do your best in the Sea Foam, I believe you would beatyour own yacht. I think Ned does first rate for the experience he hashad."

  "So do I; but I believe the difference is in the sailing of the boats;for you may build two yachts as near alike as possible, and one of themwill do better than the other," said Robert Montague.

  "I should like to have you sail the Sea Foam against the Skylark, Bob,"added Donald.

  "You don't want me to beat my own boat, if I can--do you, Don John?"laughed Robert.

  "I think you could."

  "I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll sail the Skylark against the Sea Foamthis afternoon, and you shall handle Ned's yacht. I have been talkingwith him about it, and he agrees to it."

  "I'm willing, Bob," replied Donald, eagerly.

  "All right."

  "I hope Ned don't think hard of me for speaking of this matter," addedDonald. "I wouldn't have uttered a word if this result did not affectour business."

  "I understand it, Don John; and so does Ned. But I think you are makinga mistake; for if the Sea Foam is beaten again by the Skylark,--as Ibelieve she will be,--it will be all the worse for your firm," laughedRobert.

  "I am willing to run the risk," replied Donald. "If we can't build aboat as fast as the Skylark, I want to know it."

  "But, Don John, you don't expect me to _let_ you beat me--do you?"

  "Certainly not, Bob. I hope you will do your very best, and I shall besatisfied with the result."

  It was soon reported over the Penobscot that another race was to besailed immediately, and the report created intense excitement when thecircumstances of the affair were explained. Judges were appointed, andother arrangements concluded. Donald and Ned Patterdale went on board ofthe Sea Foam, and Commodore Montague on board of the Skylark. The twoyachts anchored in line, with the Skylark to windward, as she was threeinches longer than the other. The start was to be made at the firing ofthe first gun. Donald took his place at the helm of the Sea Foam, andstationed the hands. He was a little afraid that Ned Patterdale was notas enthusiastic as he might be; for if his yacht won the race, theresponsibility for the loss of the first prize in the regatta would restupon him, and not upon his craft. It would not be so pleasant for him toknow that he had failed, in any degree, as a skipper. The position ofDonald, therefore, was not wholly agreeable; for he did not like toprove that his friend was deficient in skill, though the futureprosperity of the firm of Ramsay and Son required him to do so.

  The wind was even fresher than before, and dark clouds indicated a heavyrain before night; but Donald did not heed the weather. He stationed Nedin the standing-room to tend the jib-sheets and mind the centre-board.Two hands were at the cable, and two more at the jib-halyards.

  "Are you all ready forward?" called the skipper _pro tem._ of the SeaFoam.

  "All ready," replied the hands. And Donald waited with intense interestfor the gun.

  Bang.

  "Let go! Hoist the jib!" cried Donald.

  The hands forward worked with a will. The rope was thrown into thetender, to which the end of it was made fast, and the jib, crackling andbanging in the stiff breeze, now almost a gale, went up in an instant.

  "Haul down the lee jib-sheet," said Donald to his companion in thestanding-room. And it is but fair to say that Ned worked as briskly asthe yachtmen at the bow.

  The Sea Foam heeled over, as the blast struck her sails, till her railwent under; but Donald knew just what she would bear, and kept thetiller stiff in his hand. Stationing Dick Adams at the main sheet behindhim, he placed the others upon the weather side. In a moment more theyacht came to her bearings, and lying well over, she flew off on hercourse. She had made a capital start, and the Skylark was equallyfortunate in this respect. The two yachts went off abeam of each other,and for half a mile neither gained a hair upon the other. Then commencedthe struggle for the victory. First the Skylark gained a few inches;then the Sea Foam made half a length, though she immediately lost it;for in these relative positions, she came under the lee of her opponent.

  Again the Skylark forged ahead, and was a length in advance of the SeaFoam, when the yachts came up with Turtle Head.

  "You are losing it, Don John," said Ned, apparently not much displeasedat the result.

  "Not yet," replied Donald. "A pull on the main sheet, Dick," added theskipper, as he put the helm down. "Give her six inches morecentre-board, Ned."

  "You will be on the rocks, Don John!" shouted the owner of the yacht, asthe Sea Foam dashed under the stern of the Skylark, and ran in close tothe shore.

  "Don't be alarmed, Ned. Haul down the jib-sheet a little more! Steady!Belay!" said the confident skipper.

  By this manoeuvre the Sea Foam gained a position to windward of herrival; but she ran within half her breadth of beam of the dangerousrocks, and Ned expected every instant the race would end in acatastrophe. She went clear, however; for Donald knew just the depth ofwater at any time of tide. Both yachts were now under the lee of theisland, and went along more gently than before. It was plain enough nowthat the Sea Foam had the advantage. Beyond the Head, and near theledge, she was obliged to brace up to the wind, in order to leave thebuoy on the port, as required by the rule. Donald kept her moving verylively, and when she had made her two tacks, she had weathered the buoy,and, rounding it, she gybed so near the ledge that the commodore couldnot have crawled in between him and the buoy if he had been near enoughto do so. Hauling up the centre-board, and letting off the sheets, theSea Foam went for a time before the wind.

  When the Skylark had rounded the buoy, and laid her course for TurtleHead again, she was at least an eighth of a mile astern of her rival.Donald hardly looked at her, but gazed steadfastly at the sails and theshore of the island. The sheets had to be hauled in little by little, asshe followed the contour of the land, till at the point below TurtleHead the yacht had the wind forward of the beam. Then came the homestretch, and the skipper trimmed his sails, adjusted the centre-board,and stationed his crew as live weights with the utmost care. It was onlynecessary for him to hold his own in order to win the race, and he waspainfully anxious for the result.

  DONALD SAILING THE SEA FOAM. Page 166.]

  In the Skylark the commodore saw just where he had lost his advantage,and regretted too late that he had permitted the Sea Foam to get towindward of him; but he strained every nerve to recover his position.The wind continued to freshen, and probab
ly both yachts would have donebetter with a single reef in the mainsail; but there was no time toreduce sail. As they passed Turtle Head and came out into the open bay,the white-capped waves broke over the bows, dashing the spray fromstem to stern. Neither Donald nor Robert flinched a hair, or permitted asheet to be started.

  "You'll take the mast out of her, Don John," said Ned Patterdale, wipingthe salt water from his face.

  "If I do, I'll put in another," replied Donald. "But you can't snap thatstick. The Skylark's mast will go by the board first, and then it willbe time enough to look out for ours."

  "You have beaten her, Don John," added Ned.

  "Not yet. 'There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.'"

  "But you are a quarter of a mile ahead of her, at least. It's blowing agale, and we can't carry all this sail much longer."

  "She can carry it as long as the Skylark. When she reefs, we will do thesame. I want to show you what the Sea Foam's made of. She is as stiff asa line-of-battle ship."

  "But look over to windward, Don John," exclaimed Ned, with evidentalarm. "Isn't that a squall?"

  "No; I think not. It's only a shower of rain," replied Donald. "Theremay be a puff of wind in it. If there is, I can touch her up."

  "The Skylark has come up into the wind, and dropped her peak," addedNorman, considerably excited.

  But Donald kept on. In a moment more a heavy shower of rain deluged thedeck of the Sea Foam. With it came a smart puff of wind, and the skipper"touched her up;" but it was over in a moment, and the yacht sped on herway towards the goal. Half an hour later she passed the Penobscot, and agun from her saluted the victor in the exciting race. About four minuteslater came the Skylark, which had lost half this time in the squall.