The National tribune., 1897-06-03

the lookout on the Aglae raised a sail on the
weather-quarter, apparently bearing down
for the coast Of Crete. The stranger was a
sloop yacht, and at her top she few the flag
Of Italy. She had mainsail, topsail and jib
set, and was coming on at . rafting gait
with bone in her teeth" as the sailors
say when the white foam curls up under the
PROV. The stranger also showed that she
had noticed the AgIae and stood boldly
across her course. The Cretan Captain was
At loss to know what to make of the
Italians action, for as he scanned his deck
through his glass he made out full compile
ment of men apparently well armed. Capt.
ZagrOs thought of that booty between his
decks, and his men looked to their rifles.
Still, the craft was plainly clipper-built
pleasure yacht of not over IS tons, and not
designed for war.
On she few, and in half an hour her name
in gold letters could be made out. She was
The Parthena of Naples. She swooped
down to within a hundred yards and came
to, while q stalwart gray bearded figure rose
on the quarter and hailed the Aglae.
The man spoke in Italian:
Alloy! May l speak to . Christian
Captain?"
AYE" called back Zagros. awhat do
you wish?"
II am bound for the shores of Crete" re.
sponded the stranger.
$50 are we," shouted Zagros.
There was little stir aboard the Neapoli-
tan yacht. and moment later boat put off
| from her side and pulled toward the Aglae
IS she lay-to, her sails shivering in the wind.
| The boat was manned by six NeapOlitan
| sailors in the picturesque costume of their
class. Their white duck trousers were
girdled with red silken sash, in which was
thrust a dagger. They wore white shirts
and short green velvet jackets, while on
their heads were long, dropping red bag-like
caps that hung down their backs, and were
tipped with gaudy tassel.
1t was brave crew. In the boat sat
q man with the air of soldier. His
beard was gray and close cropped. His
head was erect and his eye dark and bright.
On his breast cleaned the Order of Victor
Emanuel, and diamond in the hilt Of his
dagger listened in the MONDAY sun.
A few long pulls drove the boat along
side of the Aglae, and the stranger stood
up. Said he:
II recognized the accent Of men have
| not heard for 40 years. see you are fell
low-countrymen. am Pietro Cyclopiada.
was born Cretan. am subject now of
Umberto, King of Italy. fought for his
father, Victor Emanuel, and became an
Italian because would not live under the
dominion of Turk. / have heard of the
troubles in our dear island Of Crete. / could
not content myself, for years ago, when a
youth, left those near to me in the mount
aims near Retimo, and have come to see if
perchance they need succor. Know yon
aught of one Marcus Kallimakis, worthy
man; of his wife, Elene?"
"By the thunders of Oily mpus!" exclaimed
Zagros, "let Marcus Kallimakis answer for
himself"
Hearing his name spoken, Marcus came
forward to the rail and said, in the dialect of
the Sphakiot:
"What wouldst thou, friend?"
II would board thy vessel, responded the
Italian, speaking in the same tongue and
| with great emotion.
Capt. Zagros gave the stranger his hand,
and said
Come up on my deck. No enemy of
mine speaks in that tongue"
The stranger did not reply. but, throwing
his arms about the neck of Marcus Kaliima-
kis, cried out:
Marcus, do you not know me? Forty
years ago We hunted the wild goats together,
| and then, when you married my fair sister,
l went away, and you have not seen me
since. How fares it with my sister,"
II know thee, my brother" sobbed Mar
in the churchyard, but her daughter lives
Ida" he said, speaking to his daughter, who
had pressed forward to join her father, this
is thy uncle Pietro, of whom you have often
heard your mother speak. Like your father,
the SHOWS of years have touched his hair,
but his heart is as warm, I'll warrant. as
when we were boys together"
"Ah," exclaimed Pietro, you are my be-
loved sister made young again. You are my
sister Elene as remember herr
He kissed the girl fervently, and, turning
again to Kallimakis, asked:
but what does this all mean? Are you
| refugees?"
Then, at the suggestion of Capt Zagros,
| the party repaired to his cabin for an inter
| change of news.
First Marcus Kallimakis told of all that
had passed in Crete; of the death Of his wife
| several years before; of the recent troubles,
| including the destruction Of his farm and
the capture and rescue of Ida, and the rela-
ton Of Basil Kanaris to it all.
| Basil had been presented and the old SOL
der looked him over with a critical eye and
with evident signs Of approval, which grew
more cordial as the hours passed, while the
family consultation proceeded. Tie two
vessels lay to and the Sphakiots and the
Neapolitan sailors fraternized on deck.
At last PietrO CyclOpiada said: have q
plan to propose. Know you that when you,
Marcus, married my sister Elene left Crete
to join the patriots in Italy. l found favor
with the King. l became an officer with
GarIibaldi, and when Italy was united
/ was granted rich estate on the slope
OF Mt. Vesuyius. / am getting old. have
never married, and am rich. want son
and a daughter badly, the son to look over
my vineyards and OIL presses, and woman's
| footstep about my villa. Let u.s. Marcus,
have wedding on this deck and then let US
all board the Parthena, which is my fast
sea-bird, and bear away for the blue waters
of the Bay of Naples You and /, Marcus,
can smoke our pipes under my olive trees,
and if you long for mountains, there is grim
| Vesuvius behind us and the blue Mediter-
ranean in the distance. No Turk can disturb
US. Our children will be with us, and we
have plenty. When the days of peace come
we can claim your estates in Crete, and if it
should never come what matters it, have
enough"
/ So be it," said Kallimakis.
That afternoon good Father Demetrios
standing on the deck, performed the rites
that made Basil and Ida one for life, and amid