The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-05-21
accident, we went out together across
the white sunny piazza to Nasi's.

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 a change to you"
This invitation | 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 Horribly.
The captain of the Lola, short,
thickset Scotsman from Dundee, with
barely healed cicatrice across his
left cheek, called at the consulate at
two o'clock and made his report, which
appeared to me to be very lame one.
He struck me as being unworthy his
certificate, for he was evidently en-
tirely out of his bearings when the ac-
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 it. A strong sea was running with
stiff breeze, and although his sea-
manship was poor he was capable
enough to recognize at once that they
were in a very perilous position.
Very fortunate it wasn't more seri-
Gus, sir" he added, after telling me
his story, which / wrote at his dicta-
,, ton for the ultimate benefit of the
board of trade.
Didn't you send up signals of dis
tress?" ! inquired.
mo, sir-never thought of it."
And yet you knew that you might
be LOST" / remarked with recurring
suspicion.
The canny Scot, whose name was
Macintosh, hesitated few moments,
then answered: well, sir, you see 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?" I inquired.
six months, sir" was the mans
reply. Before he engaged me, was
with the Wilson's of Hull, running up
the Baltic. I've held my masters GER
tificate these fifteen years, sir.
was with the Bibbys before the VIII
sons, and before that with the Gen.
eral Steam. / did eight years in the
Mediterranean with them, when l was
chief mate"
and you've never been into Leg
horn before?"
Never, sir"
| dismissed the captain with a dis
tinct impression that he had not told
me the whole truth Was it possible
that an attempt had actually been
made to cast away the yacht, and that
it had been frustrated by the master
of the felucca, who had sighted the
vessel aground? How, l wondered,
had the captain received that very
ugly wound across the cheek? | was
half-inclined to inquire of him.
That evening when the fiery sun
was sinking in its crimson glory
took cab along the old sea-road to
the port where. within the inner har-
Dor, found the Lola, one of the most
magnificent private vessels l had ever
seen. Her dimensions surprised me.
She was painted dead white. with
shining brass everywhere. At the
stern hung Imply the British flag, at
the masthead the ensign of the Royal
Yacht squadron.
On stepping on deck Horribly came
forward to greet me, and took me
along to the stern where, lying In a
long wicker deck-chair beneath the
awning, was a tall, dark-eyed, clean
shaven man of about forty. His keen
face gave one the impression that he
was a barrister.
my friend. Hylton Chater-Mr.
Gordon Gregg" he said, introducing
US, and the clean-shaven man ex-
claimed, smiling pleasantly: Glad 10
make your acquaintance, Mr.. Gregg.
You are not a stranger by any means
to Hornby or myself. Indeed, we've
got 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 and
sent them to their respective ad'
dresses.
We'll, you certainly did the right
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
yes, / feel that 1t was most kind
of him. That's why / took all the
trouble to write. l don't understand
word of Italian, neither does Cha
ter"
But you have Italians on board|
| remarked 1.-THE two sailors who
rowed me out are Genoese. from their
accent"