Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/223

 and the police-boats had already cleared the course.

"All you young gentlemen who are to compete in this race draw a number as you pass, and station yourselves accordingly," said Mr. Hastings, who held a small tin box above his head so that the contestants could not look into it and pick a number instead of taking it at random. "Go down as far as the leaning tree so as to get a good start, and fill away at the sound of the bugle, No. 1 taking the outside."

The first event was a sailing race—two miles with a turn. Those who had entered for it drew a number from the box, lingered a moment to look at the swinging silver pitcher and gold-lined goblets, which, with a tray to hold them, were to go to the boy who sent his canoe first across the line on the home stretch, and then ran out to launch their canoes and hoist their sails. There were ten starters, and they made a pretty picture as they came up the lake before the fresh breeze that was then blowing, and dashed across the imaginary line that marked the beginning of the course. Another