Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-29

IdCc SuSeeSleu the DIetZtS u Luc OGHdH
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-
s;onally to look into the shop windows
with the leisureiy interest of a man who
has an appointment and plenty of time
upon his hands. Any one taking the trou-
bic 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
a general dealers warehouse. There was
a large grocer's shop on the left-hand side
and here he stopped for a considerable
time, studying with great attention
brilliant array of Aforementioned pro-
duce. A tobacconist's was treated with
slight heed, while the wares of a 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,
a 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 Miss
Winter was seated close by.
They walked the whole length of the
block, avoiding with an apparent ease
pitfalls in the way-ring- bolts, steam
pipes and hawsers At the lower end of
the basin, moored to a buoy in mid-dock,
lay strange looking little steamer. Her
chief characteristic was clumsiness
clumsiness Of spar and general top-heav-
mess. Her bows were originally very
bluff, and being now heavily incased in
an outer armOr of thick timber, the eff
feet was the reverse of pretty. She was
rugged like a brig, and her tall, old-fash-
Toned funnel, rearing its white form be-
tween the masts, suggested an enlarged
galley chimney.
Although she was the strangest looking
craft in the docks, where many quaint
old ships are slowly rotting to this day.
1t was said among the dock laborers and
custom officers that the vessel had been
built at Trontheim, in Norway, for a
steam whaler; that she had been bought
by an Englishman, and was now being
leiSurely fitted out under the supervision
of the red-haired Scotchman who lived
on board. Her destination was a pro-
found mystery. Some thought that she
was to be a whaler, specially fitted for
the north water" others boldly stated
that she was destined to open up com
MERGE with China by the northeast pas
sage.
4 think" said Tyars. critically. as he
stood examining the little steamer, that
you have got on splendidly, Peters. She
looks almost ready for sea-"
'Ay," responded the red-faced man.
slowly.
He was no great conversationalist.
With his great head bent forward be
stood beside the tall, straight man, and
in his attitude and demeanOr there was
q marked resemblance to a shaggy, good
natured bear.
You have got the new foremost I'D, |
see. good bit of wood?"
Fine! ~
He shook his head sadly from side to
side at the mere thought of that piece of
wood.
And the standing rigging is all up?"
"Ay."
And the running rigging ready?"
"Ay; them riggerS was fools
Tyars smiled in an amused way and
said nothing.
A boat now put off from the strange
steamer and came toward them. A small
boy standing in the stern of it propelled
it rapidly with half an oar. Presently it
came alongside some Shiny steps near to
them. and the two men stepped into it
without speaking. There was something
hereditary in the awkward manner in
which the boy jerked his hand up to his
forehead by way of saIutation. They all
stood up in the boat, the older men sway
ing uncomfortably from side to side at
each frantic effort of the boy with the
half oar.
When they reached the steamer Tvars
clambered up the side first stepping on
board with the air of a man we'll oc-
Quainted with every, corner of the shin
He looked around him with an uncon-
sciou- pride of possession at which q
yachtsman would have laughed for thare
was no great merit in being the owner of
such a ludicrous and strange craft. Pc
ters. the red-faced sailor, followed. and
minute examination of the vessel be-
gan. Below, on deck and up aloft the
two men overhauled together every foot
of timber, every bolt and Selling. The
taciturn old fellow followed his employ
er without vouchsa6ng a word of praise
of his own handiwork. He did not even
deign to point out what had been done,
but followed with his head bent forward.
his knotted fingers clasped behind his
back. AS it happened there was no need
to draw attention to such details, for
here again Tyars displayed the unerring
powers of his singular memory. No tiny
alteration escaped him. There seemed to
be in his mind a minute inventory of the
ship. for without effort he recalled the
exact state of everything at an earlier
period, vaguely designated as before I
went away"
When the inspection was finished the
two men walked slowly aft, and, stand
ing there beside the high, old-fashioned
wheel. they gazed forward
Il believe" said Tyars. at length, that
l have found the man l want-my first
mate"
Aye" said the old fellow, in a non
committal voice.
"A royal navy man"
There was the faintest whistle audible
in the stiffness of the deserted dock.
Tyars looked down at his companion.
whose gaze was steadily riveted on the
foretop-gallant mast. The whistle was
not repeated, but the straightforward
sailor diSdained to alter the form of his
twisted lips.
Il had continued Tyars. calmly. IAN
! other very good man-cook and steward
but he died of yellow fever"
Peters turned slowly and contemplate
| ed his employers face before answering.
"Ay"
This fellow was just the sort of chap
want. Plenty of hard work in him,
and always cheerful. Sort of man to die
laughing, which in fact, he did. The
last sound that OaSSpd his Inns was n