The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-02-10

was quite ready to take him to the
Mediterranean. The vessel was a
least as big as one of the ocean liners
OF 90 years ago. and had done % lie
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
MS part, for that was the name of a
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 II may
not want to take a trip this season.
I'm that sort of man. may or
may not. But if do want you I'll
want you quick See?"
With the last word. he looked up
suddenly, and the captain saw" for
he met a pair of eyes that astonished
him.
Yes, see," he answered mechanic.
ally.
And If you're in one place with
your boat, and | wire that want you
in another, I'd like you to get there
right away" said Mr.. Van Torp.
Yes, sir"
They say she'll do % ITO" contin-
ued the owner, "but when / 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 well get
another And don't you fuss about
| burning coal, captain. And see that
the crew get all they can eat and not
drop of drink but tea and coffee, and
If you let 'em go on shore once in a
while, see that they come home right
side up with care, captain, and make
each of EN- 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, / want to know one thing"
continued the new owner What's
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 Torps elbow. He looked
sharply at the captain. as he un-
ear. In few seconds communication
was given.
Cooks Office? Yes Yes This is
Mr. Van Torp, Rufus Van Torp of
New York Yes. I want to know
what's the nearest sea port to Bay
reuth, Bavaria Yes. Yes. That's
just what l want to know Yes. I'll
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 III look in myself Much
obliged Goodby."
He hung the receiver in it's place
again, and turned to his captain with
different expression, in which ad-
miration and satisfaction were quite
apparent.
Well he said, you're right It's
Venice. 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 a short mental
calculation before he said anything. 1t
was II in the morning.
81 can get to sea by five o'clock this
afternoon, sir. viii that do?"
Mr. Van Torp was careful not to be-
tray the least surprise.
Yes, he said, as if he were not
more than fairly satisfied, 'thafu do
nicely"
Very well, sir, then I'll be off. It's
about 1900 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. may want to go to
Timbuctoo. or to Andaman islands or
something. Pm that sort of man,
Pm not sure where I'll go. Good-by."
The captain stopped at the first tele.
graph office on his way to the Water
loo station and telegraphed both to his
chief engineer, Mr. M'Cosh, and his
chief mate, Mr. Johnson, for he
thought it barely possible that one or