The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-07-21

Oswin's reflection as he slowly prepar-
ed for sleep were of a mixed character.
He was not quite sure that the visit of
his late shipmate had been an entire sue
cess. His own personal interest in the
man had in no way diminished, but the
light of feminine eyes cast upon their
friendship had brought that difference
which always comes to our male acquaint-
ances when we introduce them to our
women folk.
CHAPTER TX.
1t was not yet o'clock the following
morning when Claud Tyars left the door
of the quaint, old-fashioned hotel where
he was staying. The usually busy streets
we're still comparatively empty. Washed
out housemaids in washed-out cotton
dresses were busting the front doorsteps
of such old world folks as were content
to continue living on the eastern precincts
of Tottenham Court road.
AS the young fellow walked briskly
through some quiet streets in his dress
| there was this morning a slight sugges-
ton of the yachtsman-that Is to say,
he was clad in blue serge, and his brown
face suggested the breezes of the ocean.
Beyond that there was nothing to seize
upon, no clew as to what this powerful
young mans calling or profession, tastes
or habits, might be. He stopped occa-
sonally to look into the shop windows
with the leisurely interest of a man who
has an appointment and plenty of time
upon his hands, Any one taking the trou-
BILE to follow him would have been struck
with the singularity of his choice in the
matter of shop windows. He appeared to
take an interest in such establishments as
general dealers warehouse. There was
large grocer's shop on the left-hand side
and here he stopped for a considerable
time, studying with great attention q
brilliant array Of Aforementioned pro-
duce. A tobacconist's was treated with
slight heed, while the wares Of large
optician appeared to be of absorbing in
terest.
The doors Of st. Katherine's Dock had
been open only a few minutes when Ty-
ars passed through the building into the
London Dock. On the quay, under an
iron-roofed shed at the head of the dock,
red-bearded, clumsy man was walking
slowly backward and forward with that
idle patience which soon becomes second
nature in men accustomed to waiting for
weather and tides. When he perceived
Tyars he lurched forward to meet him.
Tyars acknowledged his jerky saluta-
ton with a pleasant nod, and they walk.
, ed away together. This burly son of the
north was the man with whom Tyars
had exchanged a shake Of the hand one
evening in London theater when Mis-:
! Winter was seated close by.
They walked the whole length Of the
, block, avoiding with an apparent ease
pitfalls In the way-ring-b steam
pipes and hawsers. At the lower end Of
the basin, moored to buoy in mid-dock
lay a strange looking little steamer. Hel
, chief characteristic was clumsiness-
: clumsiness of spar and general top-heav
, mess. Her bows were originally very
bluff, and being now heavily incased IL
an outer armor Of thick timber, the eff
. feet was the reverse of pretty. She wa
: rugged like brig, and her tall, old fash
? toned funnel, rearing its white form be
tween the masts, suggested an enlarge
j, galley chimney.
Although she was the strangest lookin
: craft in the docks, where many quain
old ships are slowly rotting to this day
1t was said among the dock laborers an
v custom officers that the vessel had bee
9 built at Trontheim, In Norway, for
u steam whaler; that she had been bough
g by an Englishman, and was now bein
q leisurely fitted out under the supervisio
s Of the red-haired Scotchman who live
II on board. Her destination was a pre-
'e found mystery. Some thought that sh
8 was to be a whaler, specially fitted fc
e. the north water" others boldly state
g that she was destined to open up con
ii merce with China by the northeast pa
l. sage.
~ think" said Tyars, critically, as l
N stood examining the little steamer, eth,
s. you have got on splendidly, Peters. 81
lie looks almost ready for sea-
e. SAY" responded the red-faced ma
ot slowly.
He was no great conversationalis
y, With his great head bent forward |
tn stood beside the tall, straight man, al
err in his attitude and demeanor there W,
err marked resemblance to a shaggy, goo
h. natured bear.
Id "You have got the new foremost up,
er see. A good bit Of wood?"
"Pine!"
no He shook his head sadly from side
al side at the mere thought Of that piece
be wood.
"And the standing rigging Is all up
as "Ay."
o. "And the running rigging readyT
rs "Ay; them riggers was FOOLS"
Tyars smiled in an amused way al
fl said nothing
,r- A boat now put off from the stran
steamer and came toward them. A smi
or boy standing In the stern of 1t propell
it rapidly with half an oar. Presently
, {" came alongside some Shiny steps near
them, and the two men stepped into
n without speaking. There was somethi
SO hereditary in the awkward manner
,aI which the boy jerked his hand up to |
ed forehead by way Of salutation. They
M stood up in the boat, the older men swa
ing uncomfortably from side to side
Irs each frantic effort Of the boy with t
re- half oar.
nd When they reached the steamer Tvs