The Winning Boat

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The scenes are all laid in and about a little New England coast town. From its earliest settlement the one industry of the village has been shipbuilding. During the days of sailing vessels its yards offered a busy sight. Here was a big merchant ship just sliding down into the water and destined to carry its shrewd Yankee master into many strange tropical ports. Over there the workmen were busy on the keel of a whaler, whose massive timbers will one day battle with the polar ice in some distant Northern sea. With the advent of steam the little town lost its air of industry until the settlement in the vicinity of many wealthy families attracted by its glorious climate gave boat building a new lease of life in the making of pleasure yachts and speedy power boats. Scene I: Playmates. Down on a little slip of deserted beach near the village where the shallow water rushes in and out amongst the mossy rocks, three inseparable companions, Jack, Ben and Gracie, are playing. Jack and Ben are sailing their little boats while Gracie watches them. A race is on. Gracie is clapping her small hands in excitement. Soon Jack's boat proves the winner and taking it from the water he gallantly presents it to Gracie. She accepts the gift and rewards the donor with a kiss. At this Ben's small face darkens with anger. Picking up his boat he shakes his fist at the loving couple and stalks majestically away. With arms about each other, Jack and Gracie watch him disappear, their eyes sparkling with mischief. Scene II: Twenty Years Later, Rivals. Scene III: Jack Wins Grace. Scene IV: Jack Determines to Try For a Motor Boat Prize. Scene V: Jack's Boat is Finished. Scene VI: Grace Discovers Dynamite Cartridge Placed by Jack's Rival. Scene VII: Race Day. Jack a Prisoner. It is the day of the race. Jack and his assistant have gone over his boat for the last time. She is as fit for the race as human care can make her. Jack hands the flag with his race number to the boy and telling him he will meet him up the course starts back to land to find Grace and bring her to the race. Reaching the shore he pulls his boat up and taking his coat starts through the shipyard. Meanwhile Ben has watched his approach. The plan to dynamite Jack's boat having failed. Ben is desperate in his determination that Jack shall not win the race. He crouches down behind the small hoist shed and just as Jack passes him he leaps out and knocks him senseless with a boat pin. Dragging Jack inside the shed he locks the door securely. Scene VIII: Grace Takes Jack's Place. The race is starting. Grace is desperate. Must all Jack's hopes and his months of labor be lost? No. She will race Jack's boat herself. Jack has taught her how to run it. She tells the committee. They are delighted at her bravery and the crowd cheer her. Two of the race committee escort her to Jack's boat and see her safely headed for the starting point. Scene IX: Jack Escapes. Back in the little shed in the shipyard Jack has come to his senses. His head is throbbing with pain from Ben's savage blow. In vain he has hammered against the locked door and called for help. At the end of the shed is a small door and Jack has with his small pocket knife by infinite patience cut out the nails that held it shut. Now he forces it open a few inches. Next he pushes away the heavy beams that prevent it from opening wide. Finally he crawls out and staggering to his feet starts for the race course. Scene X: Grace Has Saved the Race for Jack. Scene XI: The Girl Gets the Prize and Jack Gets the Girl. Back at the club grounds Grace's victory is a popular one. Unable to keep away Ben has crept up to the front and in sullen rage sees Jack s boat win in spite of his brutal attack on Jack. Grace returns accompanied by two of the race committee. Suddenly through the crowd that surrounds her pushes Jack. In a few hurried words he tells of the attack and catching sight of Ben points him out as his assailant. Ben is ordered from the club grounds. Now the committeeman writes a check for the prize and hands it to Grace. She turns to give it to Jack, but instead of taking it Jack folds her in his arms while the crowd offers cheer after cheer for the winning boat, the girl that won the prize, and the man that won the girl.