40 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



inclined plane, and jumjD over this five-barred gate into 

 the ring." 



This was agreed to. Mr. De Long's companion, be- 

 ing senior in rank, was to make the first attempt. He 

 made his turn of the stable, came down the inclined 

 plane, took the gate, and landed gracefollj^ in the saw- 

 dust a few feet in advance of his horse. When Mr. De 

 Long's turn came, he resolved to die or conquer. He 

 rode round the stable, came down the inclined plane at 

 a gallop, tightened his knees against the horse's flanks, 

 and shut his eyes. To use his own words : " When the 

 horse sprang for the leap it seemed as if I had started 

 for the sky. I shut my eyes tight, and my next sensa- 

 tion was that of being struck by an earthquake. When 

 the animal landed in the ring, I was clutching hold of 

 his mane frantically ; and when I opened my eyes, I 

 was away up the horse's neck, almost on his ears, but 

 I was there, and the wager was decided in my favor." 



In his intercourse with his associates, and especially 

 with the men 'and boys under his command, he showed 

 an unfailing courtesj^ and kindness, wdiile he was inex- 

 orable in his maintenance of discipline. A slight in- 

 stance of his kindness is shown in the following inci- 

 dent. One rough, cold and windy October night, he 

 w^as sailing a boat in Long Island Sound w^ith a crew of 

 St. Mary's boys. Noting that one of them had become 

 wet from salt-water washing over him, Mr. De Long 

 quickly took off his own coat and handed it to the boy, 

 telling him to put it on. The lad hesitated at accept- 

 ing such a sacrifice from his officer, but the stern com- 

 mand, " Do as you are bid, young man," soon caused 

 the boy to obey. 



" I can only say," Mr. De Long once wrote, " that 

 with men I never allow any argument. Were officers 



