Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_YACHT_RACE" id="THE_BROWNIES_YACHT_RACE"></SPAN>THE<span class="mleft3"><br/></span> <span class="mleft8">BROWNIES'</span><ANTIMG src="images/i017a.jpg" width-obs="63" height-obs="110" alt="" class="aligncenter" /><br/> <span class="mleft12">YACHT-RACE.</span></h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i017b.jpg" width-obs="110" height-obs="120" alt="W" class="alignlefta" /> </span> <div class="i6"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">HEN</span> fleets of yachts were sailing round</div> <div class="i7">The rippling bay and ruffled sound,</div> <div class="i7">And steering out where Neptune raves,</div> <div class="i7">To try their speed in rougher waves,</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies from a lofty place</div> <div class="i7">Looked out upon the novel race.</div> <div class="i7">Said one: "A race is under way.</div> <div class="i7">They'll start from somewhere in the bay,</div> <div class="i7">To leave the frowning forts behind,</div> <div class="i7">And Jersey headlands, as you'll find,</div> <div class="i7">And sail around, as I surmise,</div> <div class="i7">The light-ship that at anchor lies.</div> <div class="i7">All sails are spread, the masts will bend,</div> <div class="i7">For some rich prize they now contend&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">A golden cup or goblet fine,</div> <div class="i7">Or punch-bowl of antique design."</div> <div class="i7">Another said: "To-night, when all</div> <div class="i7">Have left the boats, we'll make a call,</div> <div class="i7">And boldly sail a yacht or two</div> <div class="i7">Around that ship, as people do.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i018.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">If I can read the signs aright</div> <div class="i7">That nature shows 'twill be a night</div> <div class="i7">When sails will stretch before the blast,</div> <div class="i7">And not hang idly round the mast."</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i019a.jpg" width-obs="108" height-obs="60" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i019c.jpg" width-obs="115" height-obs="500" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i7">So thus they talked, and plans they laid,</div> <div class="i7">And waited for the evening shade.</div> <div class="i7">And when the lamps in city square</div> <div class="i7">And narrow street began to glare,</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies ventured from their place</div> <div class="i7">To find the yachts and sail their race.</div> <div class="i7">In equal numbers now the band,</div> <div class="i7">Divided up, the vessels manned.</div> <div class="i7">Short time they wasted in debate</div> <div class="i7">Who should be captain, cook, or mate;</div> <div class="i7">But it was settled at the start</div> <div class="i7">That all would take an active part,</div> <div class="i7">And be prepared to pull and haul</div> <div class="i7">If trouble came in shape of squall.</div> <div class="i7">For in the cunning Brownie crowd</div> <div class="i7">No domineering is allowed;</div> <div class="i7">All stand alike with equal power,</div> <div class="i7">And friendly feeling rules the hour.</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies' prophecy was true.</div> <div class="i7">That night the wind increased and blew,</div> <div class="i7">And dipped the sails into the wave,</div> <div class="i7">And work to every Brownie gave;</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i019b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="125" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i10">Not one on board but had to clew,</div> <div class="i10">Or reef, or steer, or something do.</div> <div class="i10">Sometimes the yachts ran side by side</div> <div class="i10">A mile or more, then parted wide,</div> <div class="i10">Still tacking round and shifting sail</div> <div class="i10">To take advantage of the gale.</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i020a.jpg" width-obs="100" height-obs="183" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i020b.jpg" width-obs="100" height-obs="123" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">Sometimes a sloop beyond control</div> <div class="i8">At random ran, or punched a hole</div> <div class="i8">Clean through her scudding rival's jibs,</div> <div class="i8">Or thumped her soundly on the ribs.</div> <div class="i8">Of Brownies there were two or three</div> <div class="i8">Who tumbled headlong in the sea,</div> <div class="i8">While they performed some action bold,</div> <div class="i8">And failed to keep a proper hold.</div> <div class="i8">At first it seemed they would be lost;</div> <div class="i8">For here and there they pitched and tossed,</div> <div class="i8">Now on the crests of billows white,</div> <div class="i8">Now in the trough, clear out of sight,</div> <div class="i8">But all the while with valiant heart</div> <div class="i8">Performing miracles of art.</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i020c.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="358" alt="" /></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i021.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="549" alt="" /></div> <hr class="tb" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i022a.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="128" alt="" /></div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i0">Some life-preservers soon were thrown;</div> <div class="i0">And ready hands let sails alone,</div> <div class="i0">And turned to render aid with speed</div> <div class="i0">To those who stood so much in need.</div> <div class="i0">But accident could not displace</div> <div class="i0">Or weaken interest in the race;</div> <div class="i0">And soon each active Brownie stood</div> <div class="i0">Where he could do the greatest good;</div> <div class="i0">It mattered not if shifting sail,</div> <div class="i0">Or at the helm, or on the rail.</div> <div class="i0">With arm to arm and hip to hip,</div> <div class="i0">They lay in rows to trim the ship.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i022b.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="161" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i023a.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">All hands were anxious to succeed</div> <div class="i0">And prove their yachts had greatest speed.</div> <div class="i0">But though we sail, or though we ride,</div> <div class="i0">Or though we sleep, the moments glide;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</SPAN></span> <div class="i0">And none must bear this fact in mind</div> <div class="i0">More constantly than Brownie kind.</div> <div class="i0">For stars began to lose their glow</div> <div class="i0">While Brownies still had miles to go.</div> <div class="i0">Said one, who scanned the eastern sky</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i023b.jpg" width-obs="123" height-obs="400" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">With doubtless an experienced eye:</div> <div class="i0">"We'll crowd all sail, for fear the day</div> <div class="i0">Will find us still upon the bay&mdash;</div> <div class="i0">Since it would prove a sad affair</div> <div class="i0">If morning light should find us there."</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i023c.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="190" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i13">But when the winds began to fail</div> <div class="i13">And lightly pressed the flapping sail,</div> <div class="i13">It was determined by the band</div> <div class="i13">To run their yachts to nearest land,</div> <div class="i13">So they could reach their hiding-place</div> <div class="i13">Before the sun revealed his face.</div> </div></div> </div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i024a.jpg" width-obs="439" height-obs="420" alt="" /></div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i13">By happy chance a cove they reached</div> <div class="i13">Where high and dry the boats were beached,</div> <div class="i13">And all in safety made their way</div> <div class="i13">To secret haunts without delay.</div> </div></div> </div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i024b.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="62" alt="" /></div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />