Tales out of school

by Frank R. Stockton

THE BOAT RACE.

Iturim shot into this vortex of waters more than a boat’s length ahead of Altisquo. It was impossible now for the latter to pass him. The prize was virtually won. Iturim was full of joy, though the spray from the waves wet him from head to foot, and his canoe often grated against the rocks, or was tossed from side to side.

Altisquo saw that the swift rush of waters would now bear his rival over the fall before he could hope to overtake him; and his heart was filled with rage and hate. Suddenly an opportunity presented itself to him. His quick eye saw that he had one chance more. It was a wicked chance, but that did not matter to him. To the left of Iturim’s boat was a whirlpool. The waters swirled furiously around a rock, throwing up blinding sheets of spray. By a sudden movement Altisquo turned the stern of his boat around at the risk of breaking it against the rocks. This brought him into swift collision with the stern of Iturim’s boat, and turned the latter violently around towards the whirlpool, while his own canoe swung into the current, and rushed over the fall, stern foremost. It spun around two or three times after this fearful leap, then darted off bow foremost, and Altisquo was the first man who beached his boat at Toucan Point.

Fortunately Iturim’s boat was not quite as near the whirlpool as Altisquo supposed, and did not get drawn into it, as he had hoped. The shock it received sent it violently over the fall, dashing it against a rock, where it was broken to pieces, and the two rowers tumbled out. But they were in comparatively still water, and succeeded in swimming to the shore.

But, as Iturim was standing in the stern when the collision took place, he was thrown out of the boat with such violence that he fell into the whirlpool. He clutched fast hold of a projecting rock, but the waters were too strong for him. He could not drag himself out by the slippery rocks, and he would certainly have been sucked under and drowned, but for Simuco. The ape had reached the lower rapid before the boats, and was watching the scene with a lively interest when the fatal collision occurred. He comprehended at once his master’s situation, and, springing quickly from rock to rock, seized Iturim by the hair, and held him with so firm a grip that he was enabled with some difficulty to scramble upon the rock, and was taken off by a boat.

The leaders, who were steering the two boats not far behind Altisquo, were too much occupied in making their own way through the dangerous pass to observe closely what had been done. But the four rowers of these canoes were not deceived by Altisquo’s quick movements. They saw very clearly how unfairly he had won the race, and the spectators suspected foul play from what they could observe of his manœuvres. After hearing all the testimony, the judges awarded the prize to Iturim. He had, virtually, won the race before the accident, and, as this was the result of a malicious assault, and not brought about by his own carelessness, it was decreed that the marvelous tool-knife should be his.

But alas for Iturim’s fine clothes! He had arrayed himself in his very best European costume in order to show off before the strangers, and now he was clad in rags. Simuco had snatched the high-pointed cap from the waves, and put it again on his master’s head, but its ambitious peak hung down, limp and forlorn. Iturim was rather crestfallen, at first, at the ridiculous figure he cut. He certainly did not look like a hero. But the knife consoled him, and he was in a jolly humor when he walked home with his prize in his pocket, and his faithful ape perched upon his shoulder.

This was at the end of the day, after a great feast in honor of his victory, in which both tribes of Antis had joined. The Lower Antis had bidden farewell, however, some time before, and were now on their way back to their own country.

Miniqui had left the river with the women and children, and had gone home before Iturim. What was his surprise then when he met her in the woods some distance from the house. She came flying towards him, with her arms outstretched, and shrieking as she ran.