The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

Nv ] and tragedy hand % hand which stamped the
NAI incidents of that lightly undertaken sea
" masque forever on minds? But for
Charlie Seaton the adventure might have been
as thrilling as was although it would certainly have
lacked the picturesqueness his genius gave it. He
was one Of those young who only live and breathe
for things theatrical and somewhere the voyage
we engaged upon had bought grateful OF fancy
costumes at the sale of the effects Of company OF
bankrupt wandering actors. Fancy buying such
thing upon q pleasure cruise! No one but Seaton
would dreamed OF numbering our cabin with such
merchandise But the silk and tinsel caught his eyes,
and the price, he told in confidence was rdicu-
lousy low all those fantastic properties became
his and then need hardly be said he itched to use
them making us in the accomplishment of his desires
tragic mummers against our WILL and adding a su-
preme pathos to suerings which, heaven knows were
real enough in themselves without such help.
We were pleasant party on board a yacht which
had touring round the rough coasts OF the north
of Scotland and had anchored for day or two in an
open roadsead where fair shelter to be had from
a strong westerly wind blowing at the moment AS
it happened, had not been there many hours when
a passenger steamship returning from an autumn
voyage to Iceland also put in to the roadstead and
came to anchor about half mile away. We were
the only craft in the bay. and neighbor was full
of idle and laughter loving folk Seaton saw his op
portunity with the enthusiasm of an amateur actor
who had not been before the footights for a month
or more; he burning to air that iummery in the
big crates in the cabin, and here was chance! We
on board the Grebe doubt somewhat dull, as
he pointed out, like the weather so that we fell in
the more readily with his scheme when he disclosed
II to US 1t was to ourselves up in his properties
row over to the strangers and have a dance and
what he lightly called "a jolly evening out" return
ing in the small hours Of the morning He talked US
over to his project and then went and cozened the
captain and guests Of the Viking into like frame of
mind.
And we accepted the project Of that feather Drained
wlIo hewisp that false, false prophet of the tide
way. The ladies. of whom there were four on board
our vessel, were particularly enthusiastic. and the
five men hardly liked to be less keen Hence for the
next two days the yacht like old clothes mart
Such shipping. cutting, trimming and trying on was
never seen before.
Lost in the Fog.
Meanwhile the weather had by means improved,
and on the afternoon of the frolic the wind went
round to the northwest and freshened while behind
1t there came driving fog and rain. Still master
of the ceremonies would not be daunted there was
good shelter he pointed out. on the pleasure steam
ship and it would be shame to disappOint all those
expectant folk So all being ready. got into our
costumes. and set off at the appointed time in the
yachts biggest boat. We took seamen with
we were fair rowers, and with five men to pull 1t
seemed hardly necessary. even had there been room
to spare. motley cargo we were. Mrs. Smyth, the
wife Of the owner, had got herself up Britannia
being a patriotic person, though poor sailor. Mrs
Sandcroft was a nun. and looked remarkably nice in
her white gown. Miss Neave Rosalind and wore
the proper boys" dress of green tunic and tights
foresters cap with ostrich feather in it, and pointed
green shoes. Last. but not least in my estimation
came Miss Hawthorne. attractive Queen Eliza
beth supported the character When Seaton
found Miss Neave going TO be ROsalind he at
once assumed the guise of Orlando decision which
we duly noted in silence. Sandcroft a stout man,
became Sergeant Buz-fuz Potts was Mephistopheles
a typical stage embodiment of evil in scarlet with
cocks feathers in his hat and young Heave brother
: Of Rosalind. turned out as n Chinese pantOmime
demon in black and yellow with Jng tail and cows
horns on his head. Thus started. the devil rowing
stroke evil omen. and Sergeant Buzfuz being in the
bow, all the women sitting astern.
We had not gone more than half the journey when
the wind feshened again. and the fog which had been
patchy before, came down upon us in heavy rolling
banks riding gloomily on the waves. The tide, too
running like mill suice against us, which ma
rowing hard. But worst Of all was the fog First
the yacht had left behind grew hazy, then vGr.
ished completely; next the faraway Viking turned
shaGowy likewise and sank into nothing. Harder
and harder blew the wind, Genser and denser- grew
the fog.
For long hour pulled savagely into the gloom,
and then Potts, suddenly ccasing to row. said-"We
have passed the Viking"
IF were rowing in her direction by now we
ought to be ashore" came Sandcrofts voice through
the drlzze and spray.
The adventure was passing beyond Jest. The
night was falling the fog so thick could hardly
zee END Of the boat from the other and the big
shouted, listened and then shouted again. but there
was response save the melancholy cry of kitty
wake drifting homeward overhead We were lost
Why should dwell on that night Of piteous and hor.
rihle memories? We lost, forgotten. homeless,
vet through ana all of with driving spray; with
out compass to steer by, without light or food
water. Our men on board the yacht as we afterward