The Green Forest tribune., 1915-07-23

Chater wants to see them. The en- siheer says there's something strained lhaC we must get mended. But bv the way" he added, why don't you tune With us on board tonight? Do. we can give you few English things ehat may be change to you"
 Inls invitation gladly accepted for two reasons. One was because the susplclons of the captain of the port had aroused my curiosity, and the oth- CT was because I had, honestly speak lng' taken a great fancy to Hornby.
 The captain of the Lola, a short. thlckset Scotsman from Dundee, with barely healed cicatrice across his le1t cheek, called at the consulate at two clock and made his report, which appeared to me to be a very lame one. lie struck me as being unworthy his certificate, for he was evidently en- tlrely out of his bearings when the ac- cldent 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 stiff breeze. and although his sea. manship was poor, he was capable enough to recognize at once that they were in very perilous position. Very fortunate it wasn't more seri- hn od6 of fa1I | his story, which I wrote at his dicta. , tion for the ultimate benefit of the board of trade.
 Didn't you send up signals of dis tress?" l inquired.
 No, sir-never thought of it."
 And yet you knew that you might be lost?" I 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 MT. 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 l the Baltic, I've held my masters cer- tif1cate these fifteen years, sir. was with the Bibbys before the Will sons, and before that with the Gen. eral Steam. I did eight years in the uyith I Ua chief mate"
 And you've never been into Leg | horn before?'
 Never, sir"
 dismissed the captain with dis tinct impression that he had not told me the whole truth Was 1t 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? l was half-inclined to inquire of him.
 That evening when the fiery sun was sinking in it's crimson glory took a cab along the old sea-road to , the port where, within the inner har- | hor. 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 Hornby came forward to greet me, and took me along to the stern where, lying ln long wicker deck-chair beneath the awning. was a tall, dark-eyed, clean sbayen 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 to make your acquaintance, MT. Gregg, You are not a stranger by any means to Hornby or myself Indeed, we've got a couple of your books on ooafu, But had no idea you lived out here'
 At Ardenza." said Three miles along the sea-shore. Tomorrow nope you'll both come and dine with me-
 "Delighted, I'm sure" declared fiorn- Inv and then we began chatting aDout the peril of the previous night, Horn by telling me how he had copied the two letters of thanks in Italian ana sent them to their respective ad- dresses.
 well, you certainly did the right thing to thank the admiral, l said "It,s very unusual for him to send out torpedo-boats to help a vessel i'll dls- tress. That is generally left to the harbor tug" -
 "Yes. I feel that it was most klno of him. That's why took all the trouble to write. I don't understand a word of Italian. neither does Cha ter" s,,
 But you have Italians on board I remarked. "The two sailors Wno rowed me out are Genoese, from their accent"