As the time approached, the two steamers 'stripped' and got ready.

Every encumbrance that added weight, or exposed a resisting surface to wind or water, was removed, if the boat could possibly do without it.

The 'spars,' and sometimes even their supporting derricks, were sent ashore, and no means left to set the boat afloat in case she got aground.

When the 'Eclipse' and the 'A.

L.Shotwell' ran their great race many years ago, it was said that pains were taken to scrape the gilding off the fanciful device which hung between the 'Eclipse's' chimneys, and that for that one trip the captain left off his kid gloves and had his head shaved.