Hearts of Oak, Part II [pp. 419-431]

HEARTS OF OA04K.
dipped alternately on either side of it,
were given to several novices, who stood
an equally fair chance of winning. Two
or three girls joined the regatta, and
were allowed the advantage of a few
rods toward the goal, which was a little
islet of pines in the centre of the lake.
The spectators grouped themselves on
the green slopes of the shore, laughing
and singing. The scene was a joyous
one, and the greatest enthusiasm pre vailed. The first start was finely made,
the fairy armada scattering itself over
the smooth water in picturesque disor der, rounding the islet in fine style, while
the home-run was made with increased
skill and energy by two or three of the
young gentlemen, who forgot, in their
excitement, that the ladies should be
allowed to win, on general principles.
The roll was called in the order of win ning, and the prizes were about to be
awarded, when it was suddenly discovered that Bella, the greatest romp in the
country and the prettiest of her sex
at least, Paul thought so, and so did
Rivers, for they had talked it over many
times Bella was missing!
What should be done was the general
question, and a tremendous cheer arose
as a handkerchief was seen fluttering
from one of the pines on the islet. Bella
was safe, at least, and playing her game
of romp. No! a shout comes over
the water, "Help! help!" Was Bella
a prisoner, wrecked on that piny islet?
Who would rescue the captive? Skill
would soon decide that matter, for half
a dozen canoes were off in a moment in
quest of Bella. One by one they turned
back, as they lost all hope of victory;
and finally, only Paul and Rivers were
left to test their strength and skill.
On they sped, almost within reach of
one another, while a double track of
foam marked their rapid course over the
smooth surface of the lake. Paul was
never so strong nor so skillful as now.
His pride was roused, and besides, there
was a sweetheart in the case. So far,
Rivers had taken all the honors, and it
should go no farther-not if Paul could
help it; he said so plainly in every quick
stroke of his paddle, for the race was
nearly over. A moment more would de cide the matter, and the decision was
given quite unexpectedly. A sunken
branch, which Paul in his excitement
had not noticed, caught him in its meshes
and held him fast, a dozen feet from the
shore. Bella entered Rivers' skiff, and
was borne back to the shore, though by
no means at the same speed with which
he had come in quest of her. Probably
Rivers was tired after his exertions;
and then Bella was telling him how she
had tried a short cut between the rocks
off Pine Islet, was stranded, waded
ashore, and cried for help, as he and all
the children had heard her.
There was a general jubilee after that,
and Bella found herself an object of great
interest to the younger portion of the
community, who considered her adventure a real fairy tale; and some of them
dreamed of it the two or three following
nights.
There was one more chance for the
disconsolate Paul: he could at least escort the heroine of the Pine Island home.
With this end in view he sought her diligently, and found her in the company
of Rivers. Two arms were simultaneously offered the young lady; the two
friends paused for a reply Could
she not take both? Each protested she
must choose between them, and she
chose - Rivers. Paul walked home in
silence. Thrice in one day he had been
defeated. He never felt so much inclined to melancholy meditation in his
life. He wondered why he had been
fished out of the swimming hole, to be
tantalized in this way. He began to feel
that he was getting homesick again; in
fact, he was decidedly blue. At the
same time, he would rather Rivers should
be the fortunate rival than any other fel
420
[MAY,