Feb. 23, lSS8.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



95 



SOUTH SIDE GUN OLUB.-It is the intention of the manage- 

 ment to "hold a series of open shoots at artificial targets, to take 

 place once a month. The programme for each shoot will "be an- 

 nounced in due time. All will he class shooting under eluh rules. 

 Prizes di vided 40, 30 and 30 per cent. Targets three each. Loaded 

 shells and refreshments always on hand. Shooting will take 

 place rain or shine. The grounds are situated on "New Jersey 

 Railroad avenue, near Lehigh Valley coal depot, and mav he 

 reached via the Pennsylvania Railroad, Ernmett street station; 

 Ne wark & New York Railroad, Broad street station, and Delaware, 

 Lackawanna •it Western Railroad. W. R. Hobart, Isaac H. Ter- 

 rill ; Oswald von Lcngorke, Committee. The first shoot of the 

 series will take place on Washington's birthday, Feb. S3, at 10 

 o'clock. 



MINNEAPOLIS GUN CLUB.— Minneapolis, Minn., Feb. 13.- 

 The annua) meeting of the Minneapolis Gun Club was held at the 

 West Hotel, Feb. C. The following Officers were elected for the 

 ensuing year: President, M. Whitcomb; Vice-President, E. En- 

 sign; Secretary, P. C. Lawrence: Treasurer, H. Krueser; Captain, 

 A. D. Rocky; Directors, J. C. Joysliu, T. Dunn, Jr., H. Houuht ri- 

 ling, .lames Pye. 8. P. Kennedy. If was decided to hold the 

 annual tournament on May 33, 33 and 34, open to sportsmen of 

 Minnesota, Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Manitoba, professionals 

 debarred. 



STATE N ISLAND, Feb. 111.— Over 5a0 members of the sporting 

 fraternit y were assembled at Sea View Park, New Dorp, Stateh 

 Island, this afternoon, to witness the shooting of the New York 

 German (inn Club. The conditions of the shoot were, 35yds. rise, 

 80yds. bound, 10 birds each. The prize was a gold medal with 

 diamond settings. The match resulted as follows: E. G. Better 

 7, H.Mullcr ti, A. Schmidt 6, F. Sottter 5, .T. Schleichi 5, J. Boers- 

 senieekcr 5, S. Schidlow 5, S. Pfaendcr 5, A. Bonden 5. 



NEWARK, N. J.— The South Side Gun Club intends to inaugu- 

 rate a series of shoots, open to all comers, at artificial targets, 

 which will be provided at 3 cents each, with prizes divided into 

 40, 30, 30 and 10 per cent, stakes. The programme will be an- 

 nounced in advance of each shoot, and it will take place rain or 

 shine. The grounds are on the uplands at the edge of the 

 meadows, near the Lehigh Valley coal depot. 



GLOUCESTER CITY.— An Independent Gnu Club was organ- 

 ized on Feb. 11 with the following officers: President, Wm. P. C. 

 Davis; Vice-President, Isaac Budd; Treasurer, Edward Hutchin- 

 son; Secretary, Lionell Berymau. 



racing shells decked with muslin or silk. If speed is the one thing 

 to bo gained by Class I., then let the course be made a mile 

 straightaway, and they will show speed enough. No buoy to turn 

 and no fouls to settle afterward. Let us hour what the cruisers 

 and paddlers think of it. Paddle. 



Address all eommunicaliom to the Forest and Stream Pub. Co. 



Camws Canoes and how to Build Them. By Parser B. Field. 

 I'rice SO cents. Canoe and Boat Buildin;;. Bu P. Stephens. 

 Pncc$l.50. The- Canoe. Aurora. Bu 0. A. Neidc. Price $1. Canoe. 

 Handling. By C. B. Vaux. Price $1. Canoe, and Camera. By T. 

 S. Steele. Price 1.50. Four Mouths in n Sneoh-I.m.r. By N. H. Bishop. 

 Price $1.50. Canoe an ft Camp (hotter)). Sn^SmeM. 1 " Price fl. 



Secretaries of canoe cluhs are requested to send to Forest and 

 Stream their addresses, with name, membership, signal, etc., of 

 their clubs, and also notices in advance Of meetings and races, and 

 report of the same. Canoeists and all interested in canoeing are 

 requested to forward f o Forest and Stream their addresses, with 

 logs of cruises, maps, and information concerning their local 

 waters, drawings or descriptions of boats and fittings, and all items 

 relating to the sport. 



AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION. 



Officers, 1887-S8. 



Commodore: K. "W. Gibson i . .,, , XT 



Secretary Tmtsurer: F. L. JTix. J A ">an.V, «• * 

 Vice-Corn. Rcar-Com. Purser. 



Central Diw.R. W. Bailey W. H. Tluntlnffton .T. K. Ilakewell. 



Atlantic I.Mv. Henry St. niton.. . A. S. Pennington . K.W. Brown, 1-MiB'way \ Y 



Eastern Dlv..L. Q. Jones Geo. M. Barney.... W. B. Davidson, Hartford. 



N tKern Div. .A. D. T. MeOachen. W. 0. McKemlriek. s. Brittou, Lindsay, Can. 



Applications mr membership musMie made to division pursers, ae'-oni 

 paniccl by the reeoimnenuat ion or an Motive member and the sum of y>.un 

 lues for current, year ($1.00). Every member attending 



for <snt 

 the gpner 

 sent So ft 

 Pcrsoni 

 the A. C. 

 Iur the 1' 



. will be forwarded by liim to the proper Division, 

 lllie Central Division wishing to become members • 

 urnished with printed forms of application by tuldrci 



WESTERN CANOE ASSOCIATION. 



Coinmod ore— James Fanning Latham, Chicago, 111. 



Vice-Commodore— J. R. Bartlett, Fremont, Ohio. 



Rear-Commodore— T. J. Kirkpatriek, SprinoHeld, Ohio, 



Secretary -Treasurer-Geo. A. Warder, Springfield, Ohio. 



Executive Committee— H. G. Hodge, Dayton, O.; C. F. IvnnewelJ, Cleve- 

 land, O.: C. J. Bousfield, liav City, Mich. 



The annual meet for 1888 will be lield at Ballast island. Lake Erie, Julv 7 

 to 23. Regatta bejjlns Tuesday, July 10. 



PRIZES FOR PADDLING RACES. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



1 had intended, like •'Cruiser," to withdraw from the contro- 

 versy as far as becoming a champion of Pecowsie is concerned 

 for that little boat seems perfectly capable of championing her- 

 self, but Mr. MaeLendriek's appeal for light is so piteous, and his 

 ignorance on the subject of the standing rig seems so dense that, 

 I cannot refrain from one more. 



In reading Ids contribution to the Forest and Stream of Feb. 

 9 it strikes me that in his description of personal experience on 

 flumber Bay, he has inade the best argument in favor of the 

 Peeowsic's rig that I have ever seen. He says. I think, that, he 

 started out of the Gap to go along the lake shore with wind dead 

 ahead and very light. Masts stepped but sails lowered on deck. 

 Suddenly a squall blew up, and though he was bat iOOyds. (one- 

 fifth the length of Brooklyn Bridge) from shore, he had to climb otd 

 On the weather gunwale in order to prevent the force of the wind 

 against his bare poles blowing Itim over. Now just think what 

 would have happened had he been fitted with a, standing rig of 

 two sails, say with 35 and 30sq. ft.— Peeowsic's racing rig. When 

 he started out under paddle only he would have folded masts and 

 sails in two little rolls 7ft. in length and as large as his arm, and 

 stowed them neatly below deck, one on each side of t '>„ cockpit in 

 gaskets made to receive and hold them there. He r ould then have 

 paddled more easily and surely much more safely tha l he did 

 with masts towering above him, and deck tampered wild the 

 lowered sail. Then when the blow came cn there ..oaldhave 

 been no tall masts for wind to blow against, no Iowj. ^d - ail to get 

 ballooned, no climbing out on the weather gunwaie. no-'ueroba) ic 

 performances" which I must say strongly resemble, if not go 

 ahead of any seen in the trophy race. Nothing to do but sit low 

 in his canoe, and having headed her up into the wind, keep her 

 there with a few strokes of his paddle, and if his boat is not too 

 pot-bellied he need not have worried a bit, for a boat with good 

 dcadrise and clean lines like Pecowsie will never swamp in any 

 uch water. 



In regard to the number of sails to which Pecowsie is entitled 1 

 should say that as her full complement is three, she might b? al- 

 lowed to carry two ex tra ones in a bo ■v to the meet. That makes 

 less than two complete sets, and most of the canoes are provided 

 with that number. However, thai discussion may end, for hawing 

 interviewed Mr. E. H. Barney, ho says: "I shall go to the Lake 

 George meet next season with a full size 16x30 Buggies canoe, 

 with two mast tubes and two sails, the order for the boat having 

 been given Buggies last August at Bow- Arrow Point, and conse- 

 quently could not have been influenced by the missionary work 

 done by Mr. MaeKendrick and others." He intends hereafter to 

 adopt the "one man, one canoe, one rig" motto, but is generous 

 enough not to wish to compel everybody else to do the same (a 

 trait of character which might with advantage be imitated by 

 some others). He expressed himself also as hoping t hat the A. C. 

 A. would allow him to increase the size of his famous box-on-the- 

 wharf (which seems the source of trouble to some correspondents) 

 so that it can hold the canoe, tent, bedding, two sails and a few 

 bottles of ginger ale, as be might not be fortunate enough to have 

 Dr. Wakeman to prescribe in case of pain in the stomach after 

 midnight hours. 



Since sending my last article to you, in which I proposed that it 

 subscription for a paddling cup, as well as one for "cruising races," 

 be started, it has occurred to me that as Class I. paddling directly 

 encourages racing machines for paddling, and would in all proba- 

 bility bring to the next meet boats for that one race, which would 

 be very narrow and light and totally unfit for auv other use, that it 

 would be a good plan to offer the cup for Classes' III. and IV. sail- 

 ing canoes decked with wood. This would admit all sailingcanoes 

 and honest paddlers, while it would discourage mug-hunters and 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



There litis been much talk lately of changes and improvements 

 in the regatta programme of the A. C. A., both in and out of print, 

 and some have suggested that the trophy race be changed from 

 the prize for a, pure sailing contest to one for a combined race, as 

 thereby the all-round boat would be encouraged. 



It seems to mc that there arc two weighty objections to such a 

 change. In my opinion it would not be within the power of the 

 regatta committee to do this without exceeding their authority. 

 I did considerable hard work in connection with establishing 

 this race and collecting the cost of the cup, and d d this willingly, 

 believing that the contest, would forever represent the sailing 

 supremacy of the holder in the canoe world. Others, nearly all, 

 contributed with the same idea, and would I am sure not be will- 

 ing to see the Association sailing trophy offered instead for a 

 combined race, which contest, however desirable for encouraging 

 a wholesome type of boat, can never represent the best attainable 

 speed under sail of a canoe; 



The other object ion grows out of the first and is this, viz., that the 

 policy Of diverting an established trophy given for a sailing race 

 to any other form of contest would fail of its object. The human 

 being who has been once seized wit h the racing instinct is never 

 contented to go any less fast than he believes possible in his 

 chosen craft. The change proposed would not cure the evil. 

 W hat should 1 care whether my Springfield friend could beat me 

 OTer a. short three-cornered course in a combined race so long as 

 it was conculsively demonstrated that my new boat could walk 

 out to windward and away from him in a thrash over open 

 water. 



.Mine would be the faster boat and I would he happy so long as I 

 could keep in that proud position, and I should be content, per- 

 fectly so, that some other man who did not hate paddling as I do, 

 should slave and toil for the combined prize. In this respect I 

 agree with your correspondent "Paddle," who has hit the true 

 remedy, i, c., to let those who wish more prominence given to any 

 feature and want to see good racing, contribute as they see fit to 

 suitable cups for such events. 



I second his subscription of fa, opened with you, for suitable 

 challenge cups for the combined and paddling races and b car til v 

 echo his closing words as follows: "Let the trophy cup stand as 

 it docs at present, an emblem of the highest degree of speed that 

 time, money, and brains can develop in a canoe under the exist- 

 ing rules of measurement." 



1 trust his manly words and prompt action may result in some- 

 thing definite, much to be desired after the sea of talk poured 

 forth this winter. Wm. WhieIiOCK. 



AN AMATEUR'S EXPERIENCE. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Under abovo heading, in your issue of Peb. 2, "Gracie L." says 

 he fully agrees with "Deja" "that boat building is beyond the 

 skill of the amateur carpenter." He says he started to build one 

 on the lines of the Jersey Blue, and found when launched that she 

 was dangerously cranky and nowhere near the shape intended. 

 It seems he did not use any amount of care, started by cutting 

 the rabbet wrong, and after two or three atrakes were on he found 

 the keel curved down about 2in., but went on without correcting 

 it, and then sets himself up to say it is too much for an amateur 

 carpenter to at tempt . Would he be more successful at anything 

 else, using the same want of care? 



I know many find themselves in the same fix T was in a few 

 years ago. I had seen two or three canvas canoes on the river, 

 but never close enough to examine; but I wanted one. and so did 

 a friend, but did not have money to buy one. We talked it over 

 and determined to build. We knew of no one who could give us 

 any information, but finally found a column and a half article, 

 with lines, etc., in the Scientific American Supplement, describing 

 the Jersey Blue canoe and how to build it. As we wanted it for 

 tandem use, we enlarged it to lfift. We had no special difficulty 

 in building, and when done she was remarkably st iff, kept her 

 shape, was fast, and to this day is a good, serviceable canoe that 

 can hold her own beside professional built craft. Her only fatdt 

 was she was too heavy for my use, and so I sold her and last voar 

 built a Vesper (which came in eighth out of thirteen in the N. Y. 

 C. C. cup race last fall, being Id or 11 minutes behind Pecowsie on 

 a 10-mile course), which weighs, leaving out centerhoards, just 

 lOTbs. less than a Busbton smooth skin of same model, which is 

 one of the cracks of the river. There are nearly or quite 100 

 canoes on the Passaic Biver, and fully four-fifths of them weie 

 built by amateurs, many of whom do not, even claim the title of 

 amateur carpenter. 



They also make t heir own sails and do all the rigging, and there 

 was not a flatter or better sitting set !<if sails on the river last 

 summer than a set made entirely by a young man who built his 

 own canoe. 



Canvas was the favorite material, but since "Canoe and Boat 

 Building" was published many are, using cedar. 



I state these facts simply to show that, almost any one who will 

 take pains, particularly if he has the above, book, can build a 

 canoe that will answer well as a, substitute when a high-priced 

 canoe cannot be purchased, and who might be kept from building 

 and so lose such splendid sport by reading what such poor judges 

 as "Deja" and "Gracie L." think on the subject. The Bat is a 

 good sample of a fast and thoroughly well-built and rigged canoe, 

 tfie work of a young .amateur. 



I have bad very little experience, but want more, in rauid run- 

 ning, and that in a flat canoe, and I would ask "Gracie L.:" 1. 

 Why a canoe with considerable dead rise is better for such worki 

 Why it does not stick on the rock as much as a fiat canoe? & 

 When it does stick, if it does not capsize more easily ? 1. Why it 

 draws very little, if any more water than the fiat. canoe? 



Belleville, N. J. Ildemere. 



THE PRESENT TENDENCIES OF CANOEING. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



"Will you please explain why a 5ft. cockpit is more desirable, than 

 a 3ft. one? 



The sleeper in a 5ft. cockpit would have to have either his feet 

 or head under deck if over 5ft. in height. His feet would not be 

 any larger if they had to be pushed under deck 2ft. more. If the 

 canoeist takes a companion 3ft. is large enough, as the canoeist 

 sits on the deck behind him, which would take the place of the 

 15iu. after hatch now used to sit on, so that the cockpit now called 

 5ft. long is in reality but 3ft. 9in. long. So the real 3ft. cockpit is 

 only Bin. shorter than the real length of a 5ft. cockpit, and is 

 plenty largo enough for two persons, especially as the canoeist 

 himself sits on deck , leaving 3ft. for his guest. What objection 

 is there to the board projecting above the coaming 4 or Sin? 

 Canoeists who sleep in their canoes generally do so on shore, and 

 those who have canoes with any dead rise, even as slight as the 

 Not us, cannot do so, as they would strain them. But most of them 

 have small shore tents, so what harm does the board do near the 

 center? In the first place that is the most effective place, as it- 

 takes away the strong weather helm which most canoes carry. 

 Next it is the handiest place as the board is within reach without 

 leaving seat. If a man wants to sleep in his canoe let him have 

 two boards and a flat floor. 



But as for changing the dimension and model rules, without at 

 least one year's notice of doing so, is very unfair, as it violates 

 the faith which members of the A. C. A. have placed in the rules, 

 regarding them as fixed and building accordingly. The Forest 

 ajjd Stiieam evidently thinks that it would be perfectly fair to 

 throw out those canoes not suited to the modern idea' of slow 

 cruising. If any rules are to be changed regarding dimensions of 

 cockpit, board, etc., why not have one seasons's warning, so that 

 those spending time and money need not be the losers by it. 



G. C. F. 



[However well adapted for racing, a cockpit but 3ft. long is too 

 small for cruising, and by no means permits of the best arrange- 

 ment of space in a canoe. For sleeping a man must have nearly 

 half his body under deck, while it is difficult to stow luggage so 

 far under. With a 5ft. cockpit only to Sin. of the legs and feet 

 are below deck and there is space to move about, the body is 

 cooler, the bed and rugs can be conveniently arranged, while a 

 largo amount <»f stuff can be easily stowed or unpacked. A 3ft. 

 cockpit, will not allow two to sit in the canoe, the best and safest 

 method, especially where a lady passenger i* carried. It may do 

 for one to sit on deck for a short paddle, but for a long tandem 

 pull or a day's outing, both must be able to sit below. As always 

 used, the sliding bulkhead and hatch are removed for sleeping or 

 for tandem use, leaving the cockpit of full length, and our corres- 

 pondent's arithmetic is a little difficult to follow. There is not 

 the least difficulty iu sleeping on shore in such a canoe as Nolus, 

 or even one with much mot'C deadrise if properly built. Thus far 

 there are few canoes with very small cockpits, and these could 

 be lengthened at small expense. It is specially suggested that If 

 any rule be passed as to boards in the well, the existing boats 



be exempted from its action, so that our correspondent's ob- 

 jections hardly fit the ease. We have never advocated any 

 sudden changes which could not be easily complied with by all, 

 and would thus throw out any boat. No doubt for racing only a 

 big board m the center is very handy and fast, but half a dozen 

 boats fitted m this way and with small openings in deck, will 

 drive every honest cruising craft out of the races, no mat fur how 

 good in model, build and rig she may be.] 



A CHRISTMAS CRUISE. 



CHRISTMAS is the occasion of family reunions and domestic 

 bliss; consequently, a bachelor in a foreign hind, though he 

 may have many and kind friends ready and willing lo take him 

 in, feels rather out of it and fearful of being an intruder in cir- 

 olcs bound by ties of relationship. Where, then, should he natu- 

 rally turn but to the little canoe, his faithful friend and compan- 

 ion in many a cruise? Yes, glorious idea! We will spend one- 

 Christmas on the water, shake off all restraints, and see if our 

 festival cannot be made quite as enjoyable, though unsurrounded 

 by the usual emblems of Santa (dans and the season 



The party consisted of the Skipper and his friend Will in the 

 canoe 1- lirt, and the program was to start on Saturday afternoon 

 camp on Goat Island that night, and the next day make Saucelito 

 where, not to be entirely out in the cold, they would eat a Christ- 

 mas dinner with friends, and return home on Monday. The Flirt.'* 

 full erasing outfit is all in the Oakland House, so very few prepa- 

 rations were necessary. Lots to eat and drink was ' the guiding- 

 principle, and strietly adhered to. Two P. M. saw the Skinner 

 with the canoe alongside the float, trundling in stuff at a great 

 rate; tent, blankets, buffalo robe, sleeping bag. each in their rub- 

 ber covers. Lanterns, cooking utensils, etc., rapidly disappear, 

 and by the time Will'um turns up she is pretty well crowded 

 He, however, has brought a dozen last happy thoughts which 

 must be stowed away somewhere, all of which is finally neatly 

 accomplished. At this moment a wild war whoop is heard and 

 two more canoeists turn up and announce that thev are goinir 

 over to San Francisco, returning by moonlight, and will accom- 



^LlfJfn ( -'7 lic wa ?« Grc ^ wll ™ el They < •"' dispatch some 

 forgotten Christmas gilts and greetings for us over here which 

 we had been in despair at, forgetting. 



The Pirate is soon a float, and shutting up the boat house, awav 

 we go. To get to the bay it, is necessary to pass under the swimr 

 railroad bridges, so that sail has to bo made after paddling under 

 them, which is a great nuisance, and it is to bo hoped the railroad 

 will sonie day see what an annoyance they are lo the canoe club 

 ana raise or remove them, or perhaps one of us will get into Con- 

 gress and make it hot for the bloated monopolies. However here 

 they are, and the tide running in stiff against us. The Pirate 

 With her light load torges ahead and has sail made by the time 

 we pass the second bridge; that's all right, boys, you have not the 

 glorious trip before yen we have, so make the most, of your fun 

 there is a nice beam wind from the north to take us out of the 

 estuary m good style, and we are soon in the bay; the strong flood 

 tide is now abeam, and when about a mile out a good deal of lee- 

 way is apparent; so with a parting toot of the horn to the Pirate, 

 who is beading well up for the city, we 'bout ship and stand up 

 tor the Broad Gauge Mole. The breeze now gives signs of failing 

 and she appears to be only just holding her own with the tide 

 Yes, I think we might hit her a lick or two with the paddles,* 

 W ilrum, so as to try and make camp by daylight. Presently a 

 ferry steamer comes booming along, and a passenger, evidently a 

 friend, is seen frantically waving and dancing about on the tinner 

 deck. In with those paddles, sm art. Somehow we find it rather 

 undignified paddling, and stow them whenever wo wish to be 

 admired. Then letting her off a little till she fills away we as- 

 sume picturesque poses and give him a condescending toot of the 

 horn as she rushes by. Now the wind drops entirely and we 

 tackle the work in earnest , making the cove on the east shore of 

 Goat Island about 5:30 and just as if: begins to get dark The Skip 

 per slides into his rubber hoots and packs things up beyond high- 

 water mark as they are handed nut by the Mate, and when quite 

 empty a yank on the painter enables the passenger, doctor en- 

 gineer, first, second and third mates to step ashore dry shod The 

 sails are then lowered, furled and tied up in their covers 

 This is a golden scheme, as they can then be chucked down 

 anywhere without fear of dirt, besides keeping them dry from 

 dew. Now tor it. up she conies; she must weigh a tou "urelv but 

 by short relays she islifted into the little bed up on the beach which 

 has been shoveled out for her with the paddles. The Skipper 

 now proceeds to make the beds and put the cauoe tent un while 

 the Mate stops to inter-'- 

 named the Coat, on the 



» the old custodian of the island, sur- 

 ter question. Ho is fortunately found 

 in very good humor, and wishes to know why in blanket'v blank 

 we want to come out here Christmas Day, bus nevertheless lends 

 a bucket and his presence, the former useful and the latter in- 

 structive. 



Tne canoe all ready for night, dinner is the next question It is 

 quite dark by this time, but a blazing tire anrf lantcrns'give a 

 Cheerful look to the scene, the first officer makes a snlendid table 

 and seat out of driftwood, he also makes a little soft toddv in a 

 m .«f' jPft 10 show there's no ill feeling, he said, before dinner. 

 Bill of fare: Fried widgeons a la Goat Island, chops IlirteSse 

 boiled eggs a la Will'um, that is one of them a lime by mistake-'' 

 tor dessert, cookies presented by the Goat, which, as he observed 

 had none of that gol-darned patent yeast in them, but lots of 

 plums, they were good; bread and marmalade to finish up 

 Dinner o . er we piled up the fire and laying out on the rubber 

 blanket gave way to that glorious lassitude succeeding heavy 

 exercise and a square meal. Let mo see, yes, there was a little 

 punch, I think, made later in the coffee-pot," but then ips" Christ 

 mas eve you know, and there are all the old folks and" friends 

 abroad and here, too, to toast. WeU, it was jolly and warm by 

 the lire, and finally all hands were so sleepy it was resolved to 

 turn in; the Goat shouts down from the bluff that we'd better 

 have the canoe high up ashore as it was going to blow from the 

 S.E., which does not receive as great credence as it should from 

 such a prophet— the moon ts shining in a clear starry sky and it 

 certainly looks like a cold snap and light northerly winds It 

 would never do to forget Santa Clans, so a rubber boot is hung 

 outside fore and aft, one for each of us, remarks the Mate Alas 

 for the traditions of our childhood, the old gentleman must have 

 overlooked that little boot, on the sand, for a plentiful pool of dew 

 in the foot of each was all that the morrow brought fori h Good- 

 night Skipper; good-night old man, and the interior of the EUirt is 

 as quiet as a nursery af ter the gas is out. The Skipper wakes once 

 during the night and hears an ominous surf breaking but it b 

 too snug for a, little thing like that to bother him, and pulling a 

 coat which had been buttoned round the Mate's tootsy-wootsies 

 into the sleeping bag he is soon asleep again. 



"Wouff, woh, Merry Christmas, my boy," and Will'um's foot 

 taps the Skipper in the face. "Great guns! Christmas morning' 

 WeU, it's too cold to get out yet," and the brisk S.E. breeze makes 

 the tent cavort about, and the jolly waves break on the beaoh 

 with the proverbial dull chestnut, thud. At 7:45 the Male makes 

 a desperate effort and pokes his head out for a reeonnoiter: leaden 

 sky, cold fresh breeze; darned frigid is the verdict, tumble out. 

 Once out, the fire is soon going again, and in five minutes both 

 are peeled off and into the water. Whew! bow it nips, hut it's 

 glorious drying to leeward of the blaze, and very soon breakfast 

 is under way. Will'um shakes his head as he. empties the squozen 

 limes out of the coffeepot and remarks that the stores won't If st 

 long at that rate, but the hot coffee substituted is fit for the Gods 

 and canoeists. The victuals vanish like smoke; and presently a 

 gleam of sunshine breaks out on the camp. The festive campers 

 sit opposite each other munching away ami applauding them- 

 selves and everything else. Surely it is pleasant to be alive and 

 out on a canoe trip. 



Toting the canoe to the shelving sandbank bow on she is soon 

 loaded, the sails put on and driver hoisted, and now comes the 

 ticklish operation of launching in the surf. The Skipper dons the 

 rubber boots and takes the bow, while Will'um and the friendly 

 Goat hoist, the si em. Now, boys, altogether; there she goes; jump. 

 Will; well done, all safe ou board with scarcely a teacupful of 

 water, and the little canoe bobbing and bowing to the waves as 

 !•;■ • ed as Punch. 



With a farewell wave to the Goat the mainsail is hoisted and 

 sheets hauled taut. She can just weather the point of the bay, 

 leaving a bare 12ft. of foaming water between the lee rail and the 

 rocks. Once around, we square off wing and wing into the broad 

 bay before us and a spanking breeze dead aft. How glorious it is; 

 we are going as fast as the wind, so feel no cold. The sun is shin- 

 ing right info the cockpit and there is just enough roll on to make 

 us feel the exhilaration of rapid motion. The next thing to be 

 done is to make things shipshape. First of all, the crew; off come 

 the rubber boots, neat canvas shoes substituted. Let me see, won't 

 a red sash look rather more high-toned than this old belt; and— 

 yes— straw hats to replace the old Tarn o' Shunters. Well, well, 

 this must he Christmas Day and holiday attire. Now for the 

 boat,; all the ropes' ends want stowing out of sight after an extra 

 pull at the hallia rds, cushions shaken out, and finally all the sand 

 washed off the deck, the Mate even reaching the extreme bow 

 with repeated tossing handfuls of water; he spoke of tackling the 

 stern in the same way, but the Skipper on deck, mindful of that 

 recLsash and immaculate knickerbockers, thought he could attend 

 to that himself. No old salt could cavil at our shipshape appear. 



