Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-20
CHAP III.
DIR. ANTKKIATT.

8
CHAP. III.
DIR. ANTKKIhTT.
There are people who 1--WE good deal
of employment TO Fame-tnst woman OF a
hundred mouths whose trumpets bIare
forth their names towards the Iour cardi-
nal points OF the earth.
This was so IN the case OF the cele-
brated DR.. Antekirtt, who had just ar
rived IN the harbor OF Grayosa. His
arrival had been signaized by an in
cident which would have been enough to
attract public attention TO the most ordi-
nary traveller. And be was not an ordi-
nary traveller.
For several years there had been woven
round DR.. Antekirtt sort OF legend in
all the legendary countries of the ex-
treme East. Asia from the DardaueIles
10 the ouez Canal, Africa from Suez to
Tuns, the Red Sea, along the whole
Arab coast, resOunded with his name
as that OF man Of extraordinary
knowledge in the physical sciences,
sort OF gnOstic or taleb VINO possessed the
last secrets Of the universe. In earlier
times he would have been called an
| EDlphane; in the countries of the
| Euphrates he would have been
venerated as a descendant Of the ancient
Magians.
How much of this reputation was I'M
deserved? All that would make the
Magian a magician, all that would attri-
butte TO him supernatural power. The
truth is that DR.. Antekirtt was a
man, nothing but man OF high
education. powerful mind, shrewd judg-
ment, great penetration, and marvellous
perspicacity, who had been remarkably
served BY circumstances. For example,
in one OF the central provinces OF Asia
Minor he had been able by a dis
cOvery of his own to save a whole
population from a terrible epidemic up TO
them considered to be contagious; and
in consequence his fame was unequaled.
One thing that cOntributedsto mis- celeb
ritY was the impenetrable mystery
which surrounded MIN. Whence came
heY No one knew. What had been his
history None could say. Where had he
lived and how? All that was certain
about Dr. AntekiTtt was that he was
adOred by the people in Asia Minor and
Eastern Africa, that he was hell to be
physician of wonderful skill, that the re-
port OF his extraordinary cures had even
reached the great scientific centres OF
Europe, and that his attentions were as
freely bestowed on the poorest as on the
richest men and pashas OF these provinces.
But ne had never been seen in the West,
and for many years his place of residence
WAS unknown; and hence the propensity
to regard him AZ some mysterious avatar,
some Hindoo incarnation, some super
natural being curing by supernatural
means.
But If DR.. Antekirtt had not yet
practised his art in the principal states OF
Europe, his reputation had preceded him.
Although he had only arrived at Ragusa
as an ordinary traveller wealthy tourist
yachting In the Mediterranean--the news
OF his arrival had soon spread through the
town; and the accident so narrowly pre-
vented by the courage OF Cape Matifou
had had the effect OF still further arousing
the public attention.
TIE Yacht would have done credit to the
wealthiest and most fastidiOus OF nautical
sportsmen. Her two masts without rake
and placed well amidships-thu giving
her the full beneht Of large mainsail
Z and tOre-staysail--her long bowsprit with
its two Jibs, her yards on the foremast,
and her powerful spars, were designed
for a sail plan that would drive her at
immense speed. She was, as we have
said, a schooner OF about three hundred
and hfty tons. or long, fine lines, neither
too broad IN the beam, nor too deep in the
draught, but OF ample stability, she was
a craft that in "A seaman's hands could be
depended on in all weathers. In a
decent breeze, either on or or the wind
she could easily reel Oh her thirteen knots
an hour, and would nave held her own in
match with any OF the crack cruisers OF
the British clubs.
Her interior fittings were in keeping
with her external appearance. The
whiteness Of her Canadian pine deck,
without knot IN the planklng, her com
panions and skylights OF teak with their
brasswOrk as bright as gold, her beauti-
iully carved helm, her spare spars under
their white cases, her taut halliards
and running rigging contrasting in color
with her galvanized iron ehrOuds and
stays, her vanished boats hanging grace
fully from their davits, the brilliant black
of her hull relieved only by plain gold
riband combined TO make her vessel
OF exquisite taste and extreme elegance
This yacht Is OF considerable lmpor-
lance IN our story. she was the floating
home y that mysterious personage-its
hero. Below, luxury str0ye with comfort.
The cabins and saloons were decorated
regardless Of cost. The carpets and hang
ings and the rest OF the furniture were
lngenuouely adapted for all the require.
ments Of pleasure navigation; and this
was shown not only IN the cabins, but
even IN the pantry whore the silver and
porcelain services were kept secured
from the movement Of the ship. in the
galley which was a picture Of Dutch
cleanliness. and In the crews quarters.
The men, numbering about twenty, were
dressed Ike Maltese sailors, with short
trousers, sea-bOOte, striped shirte, brown
Wristbands, red saps, and guernseys-on
which IN white letters there appeared the
initials Of the schOoner's name and that OF
her proprietor.
But TO what port did this Yacht belong?
ON what register bad she been enteredg
IN what Mediterranean country did she
lay mp for the WINTER What WAS her
nationality No one knew, Just as no one
knew tue nationality Of the doctorl
green nag, with red cross In the upper
corner, honted at her gad. And the
flags Of all nations could be sought