The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-13
cHApTER xIv.-lcontInued.l

turn. On his arrival. Philip called
upon the directors of the company
who promised him a ship on his re-
turn from the voyage he was about 70
enter upon, making a condition tha'
he should become part owner OF 1ne
vessel To this Philip consented ana
went down to visit the vrow Katerina'
the ship to which he had been appoint
ed as first mate. She was still un-
rigged, and the feet was not expeeteu
TO sail for two months. only part ol
the crew were on board. and the cap
tain. who lived at Dort. had not YET
arrived.
So far as Philip could judge the
vrow Katerina was very inferior YES
sci; she was larger than many OF tne
others. but old, and badly construe'eu.
nevertheless, as she had been seNerai
voyages to India. and had returned IN
safety, It was to be presumed that she
could not have been taken up by the
company II they had not been satisneu
as to her seaworthiness. Having gwen
few directions to the men who were
on board, Philip returned TO the hostei-
ry where he had secured apartments
for himself and Anime.
The next day, as Philip was super
intending the fitting Of the rigging, the
captain of the vrow Katerina arrived,
and, stepping on board of her by the
plank which communicated with the
quay, the first thing he did was to run
to the mainmast and embrace 1t with
both arms. although there was no
small portion OF tallow on 1t to smear
the cloth Of his coat.
"Oh, my dear yrow. my Katerinal
cried he, as IL he were speaking TO a
female. How do you do l am so
glad to see you again: you have been
quite well, hope? You do not ike
being laid up in this way. Never
mind. my dear creaturel You shail
soon be handsome again.
The name Of this personage who
thus made love to his vessel was VIII
helm Barentz. He was young man,
apparently not thirty years Of age. Of
aiminutive stature and delicate proper
tions. His face was handsome. but
womanish. His movements were rapid
and restless. and there was that APP
pearance in his eye which would have
warranted The supposition that he was
a little aighty. even II his conduct had
not fully provCd the fact.
No sooner were the eestasies OF the
captain over than Philip introduced
himself TO him, and informed him of
his appointment "Ohl you are the
frs mate Of the vrow Katerina. Sir,
YOU are very fortunate man. Next to
being captain of her. first mate is the
most enviable situation in the world.
Certainly not on account Of her
beauty" observed Philip; "she may
have many other good qualities.
.Not on account OF her beauty.
Why. sir, | say las my father has said
before me, and it was his Vrow before
II was minel that she is the handsom-
est vessel in the world. AT present
YOU cannot judge; and besides being
the handsomest vessel. she has every
good quality under the sun"
Il ain glad to hear it, sir" replied
Philip; '.it proves that one should
never Judge by appearances But is
she not very oldg"
eold! not more than twenty-eight
years-just in her prime. Stop, my
dear sir. till you see her dancing on
the waters. and then you will do moth
ing all day but discourse with me upon
her excellence. and have no doubt
that we shall have very happy time
together"
provided the subject be not ex-
hausted," replied Philip.
"That il never viii be on my part;
and allow me 20 observe. Mr.. Wander
aecken. that any officer who finds
fault with the Vrow Katerlna quarrels
with me. 1 am her knight, and have
already fought three men in her de-
Tense: / trust shall not have to fight |
a fourth.
Philip smiled: he thought that she
was not worth while hgAting for: but |
he acted upon the suggestion. and from
that time forward he never ventured /
TO EXPRESS an opinion against the beau
tiful vrow Katerina.
The crew were soon complete. the
vessel rigged. her sails bent. and she
was anchored IN the stream. surround
ed BY the other ships composing the
aeet to be dispatched. The cargo was
then received on board. and. as soon as
her hold was full. there came. 70 Phil
lp's great vexation. an order to receive
on board ono hundred and fifty sol
5iers ani other passengers, many OF
whom were accompanied by their
wives and families Philip worked
hard. for the captain did nothing but
braisa the vessel. and at last they had
embarked everything. and the feet was
ready to sail.
It Was now time to part with Anime
who had remained at the hostelry. and
% whom Philip had dedicated every
spare moment thaf he could obtain.
The heet was expected to sail in two
lays. and it was decided that on the
morrow they should part Anime was
;ool and collected. she felt convinced
hat she should see her husband again.
md with that feeling she embraced