lf by winning the egg and spoon race, much to the joy of little
John, who watched all the proceedings from his father's arms.

Then came the greatest event of all, the tug of war. A long cable was
brought out and stretched across the green, and a pocket-handkerchief
was tied in the centre of it. Two stakes were then driven into the
ground, and between these a line was chalked on the grass. The
handkerchief was then placed exactly over the line. After this all the
fishermen who entered the lists were divided into two parties. Then each
side laid hold of one end of the rope, and at a given signal they began
to pull. It was a trial of strength; whichever side could draw the
handkerchief past the two stakes and over the line, that side would win.

How tremendously those men pulled! What force they put into it! Yet for
a long time the rope did not move a single inch. All the strength of
those powerful fishermen was put out; they were lying on the ground,
that their pull might be all the stronger. Every sinew, every nerve,
every muscle seemed to be on the strain, but so evenly were the two
sides matched, that the rope was motionless, and it seemed impossible to
tell which party would win.

Little John was eagerly watching his father.

'Pull, daddy, pull!' I heard him cry; and I think I was nearly as
pleased as he and Polly were when Duncan and the mates on his side
suddenly made one mighty effort, and the handkerchief was drawn across
the line. There was tremendous cheering after this. Polly clapped her
hands with delight, and little Jack and big Jack nearly shouted
themselves hoarse.

It was an interesting sight, and I had reason to remember it afterwards,
as you will see. The evening concert went off as well as the sports had
done, and Duncan came in at night rather tired, but well satisfied with
the day's proceedings.

I enjoyed all the sights at Runswick Bay, but I think I was particularly
charmed with what happened on the day after the sports. All the village
was early astir, and as I was dressing, it seemed to me that every
fisherman in the place was hurrying down to the beach. It was not long
before I followed them to see what they were doing. I found that they
were about to draw the crab-boats up from the shore, to a place where
they would be safe from the winter storms. It was hard work, but every
one was there to give a hand. A long string of men and lads laid hold of
the strong cable fastened to the boat. Eve