The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-12-03


the white sunny piazza to Nasi's.
We shall be here quite . week. I
suppose" he said ~ We were taking
our vermouth. We're on our way
down to the Greek island. as my friend
Chatter wants to see them. The en-
gineer says there's something strained
that We must get mended. But. by
the way" he added. why don't you
dine with US on board tonight! Do
We can give you = few English things
that may be q change to you"
This invitation l gladly accepted for
two reasons. One was because the
suspicious OF the captain of the port
had aroused my curiosity, and the 9th
er was because | had. honestly speak
Ing. taken a great fancy to Hornby.
The captain of the Lola. q short
thickset Scotsman from Dundee. with
. barely healed cicatrice across his
left cheek. called at the consulate Al
two o'clock and made his report, which
appeared to me to be q very lame one
He struck me as being unworthy his
certificate, for he was evidently en-
tirely out OF his bearings when the &C
cident occurred. The owner and his
friend Chatter were in their berths
asleep. when suddenly he discovered
that the vessel was making no head
way. They had. In fact. run upon the
dangerous shoal without being aware
OF 1t. A strong sea was running with
a stiff breeze. and although his sea
manship was poor, he vas capable
enough to recognize at once that they
were in a very perilous position.
Very fortunate 1t wasn't more seri
his story. which l wrote at his dicta
ton for the ultimate benefit Of the
board of trade.
Didn't you send up signals Of dis
tress?" inquired.
No, sir--never thought OF it."
And yet you knew that you nigh,
be Iost?" | remarked with recurring
suspicion.
The canny Scot, whose name was
Macintosh. hesitated few moments
then answered: Well, sir. you sec the
fishing boat had sighted US, and We
saw her turning back to port to fetch
help"
How long have you been In Mr.
Hornby's service?" inquired.
Six months, SIR was tho man,
reply Before he engaged me. was
with the Wilson's OF Hull, running W
the Baltic. I've held my masters Ger
tificate these fifteen years. sir.
was with the Bibbys before the vii
sons, and before that with the Gen
eral Steam. did eight years in ths
Mediterranean with them. when Wal
chief mate"
And you've never been into Leg
horn before?"
Never, sir"
dismissed the captain with q dis
tinct impression that he had not tolt
me tho whole truth. Was 1t possible
that an attempt had actually beer
made to cast away the yacht. and tina,
1t had been frustrated by the master
of the felucca, who had sighted the
vessel aground? How. wondered
had the captain received that yer,
ugly wound across the cheek? va,
half-inclined to inquire of him.
That evening when the fiery sur
was sinking in its crimson glory
| took a cab along the old sea-road tc
the port where. within the inner har
Dor, l found the Lola. one Of the mos
ma gniflcent private vessels l had evel
seen. Her dimensions surprised me
She was painted dead white, with
shining brass everywhere. At the
stern hung Imply the British flag. 4,
the masthead the ensign of the Roya
Yacht squadron.
On stepping on deck Hornby came
forward to greet me, and took me
along to the stern where, lying in &
long wicker deck-chair beneath thu
awning, was a tall. dark-eyed, clean
shaven man OF about forty. His keer
face gave one the impression that hs
was a barrister.
MY friend. Hylton Chater-Mr
Gordon Gregg." he said. introducing
us. and the clean-shaven man ex
claimed, smiling pleasantly: Glad Il
make your acquaintance, Mr.. Gregg
You are not q stranger by any means
to Hornby or myself. Indeed, we've
got a couple of your books on board
But had no idea you lived out here.
AT Ardenza," / said. Three miles
along the sea shore. Tomorrow | hope
you'll both come and dine with me.
Delighted, I'm sure" declared Horn
by, and then we began chatting about
the peril of the previous night. Horn
BY telling me how he had copied the
two letters of thanks in italian anc
sent them to their respective ad
dresses.
Well, you certainly did the righl
thing to thank the admiral" | said
,, ITS very unusual for him to send Out
torpedo-boats to help a vessel In dis
tress. That Is generally left to the
harbor tug"