The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-12-24


Mediterranean The vessel was
least as big as one of the ocean liners
of so years ago, and had done ~ l-lo
knots on her trial Mr.. Van Torp took
her over as she was, with her officers,
crew, cook and stores, and rechris-
tened her. She had been launched as
the Alwayn; he called her the Ian
cashire Lass-a bit of sentiment on
his part, for that was the name of
mare belonging to Lady Maud's
father, which he had once ridden
bareback when he was in an amazing
hurry.
He had one interview with the cap
tain.
See here, captain" he said, Il may
not want to take trip this season.
I'm that sort of man. | may or
may not. But If I do want you, I'll
want you quick. See?"
With the last word he looked up
suddenly, and the captain Saw" for
he met pair of eyes that astonished
| him.
Eyes, I see," he answered mechanic
ally.
"And If you're in one place with
your boat, and l wire that I want you
in another, I'd like you to get there
right away" said Mr.. Van Torp.
YES, sir"
"They say she'll do % 1-10," contin-
ued the owner, "but when l wire
want you I'd like her to do as much
more as she can without bursting
lung. If you don't think you've got
the kind of engineer who'll keep her
red-hot, tell me right off and we'n get
another. And don't you fuss about
burning coal, captain. And see that
the crew get all they can eat and not
a drop of drink but tea and coffee, and
if you let 'em go on shore once in
while, see that they come home right
side up with care, captain, and make
each of 'em say truly rural and Brit
ish Constitution before he goes to
bed, and if he can't, you just unship
him, or whatever you call it on boat.
Understand, captain?
The captain understood and kept his
countenance.
Now, l want to know one thing,
continued the new owner. Whats
the nearest sea port to Bayreuth, Ba-
varia?'
"Venice," answered the captain
without the least hesitation, and so
quickly that Mr. Van Torp was i'm
mediately suspicious.
"If that's so, you're pretty smart
he observed
"You can telephone to Cooks office,
sir, and ask them," said the captain
quietly.
The instrument was on the table at
Mr.. Van Torp's elbow. He looked
sharply at the captain, as he I'M
hooked the receiver and set 1t to his
ear. In few seconds communication
was given.
Cooks office? Yes. Yes. This is
Mr.. Van Torp, Rufus Van Torp of
New York. Yes. / want to know
what's the nearest sea port to Bay
reuth, Bavaria. Yes. Yes. That's
just what ! want to know. Yes. I'll
hold the wire while you look it up"
He was not kept waiting long.
Venice, you say? You're sure you're
right, suppose? Yes. Yes. ! was
only asking No thank you. If want
a ticket I'll look in myself. Much
obliged. Good-by."
He hung the receiver in its place
again, and turned to his captain with
a different expression, in which ad-
miration and satisfaction were quite
apparent.
WELL" he said, you're right. It's
Venice. l must say that, for an Eng
lishman, you're quite smart"
The captain smiled quietly, but did
not think it worth while to explain
that the last owner with whom he had
sailed had been Wagner-mad and had
gone to Bayreuth regularly. More
over, he had judged his man already.
"Am / to proceed to Venice at once,
sir?" he asked.
"As quick as you can, captain"
The Englishman looked at his watch
deliberately. and made short mental
calculation before he said anything. 1t
was IL in the morning.
81 can get to sea by five o'clock this
afternoon, sir Will that do?"
Mr.. Van Torp was careful not to be-
tray the least surprise.
YES" he said, as II he were not
more than fairly satisfied, "thatD do
nicely"
very well. sir. then I'll be on. It's
about 5000 miles, and she's supposed
to do that at IS knots with her own
coal. Say eight days. But as this is
her maiden trip we must make allow
ance for having to stop the engines
once or twice. Good-morning, sir"
"Good-day. captain. Get in some
coal and provisions as soon as you ar
rive In Venice. l may want to go to |
TimbuctOo. or to Andaman islands or
something. I'm that sort of a man.
I'm not sure where I'll go. Good-by"