The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-11-19
Chapter !.
The RediscOvery of Eden.
:, APTAIN FARwEIL.

His voice thrilled with boyish delight,
as he lowered the binoculars. turning
with sparkling eyes toward the skipper
OF the steam yacht Sea Gull.
"Ay. ay. sir. But ] calculate you'll
md II bit weather-beaten," was the
officers response. "Port Sunray is the
sleepiest town on the coast-there Amt
none of them swell hotels or cottages
which a gentleman like you In used to.
sir. That placeIs like a country grave
yard, sir. and -
Exactly what 1 wantr' and the tall
young man leaned over the taff-raH to
gaze devourlngly at the purple rocks
which sheered SO precipitously into the
blue waters OF the crescent-sha ped
harbor.
II am oyerfed to the condition OF
permanent indigestion. with hotels and
cottages. and all the rest OF copditions
that go with Them" he continued. Light
ing his cslabash pipe. "Farwell, I'm
tired OF hgh-speed automobiles. high
speed manners, high-speed gowns. high
speed girls and men! l want to slow
down-to get my bearinEs-as Walt
whitman calls It: To loaf and invite
. my soul!" ,.. ...
There was a dreamy. hungry look In.
the dark eyes, as he studied the nodding
tree-tops on the high ground beyond
the village.
II want to bury my nose In the grass
roots and smell the good clean dirt
to bask In the sunlight of an old
fashioned people. as clean and simple
as the flowers in the garden. Don't
you understand, Captain Farwell? My
publishers insist on another novel, and
I'm a modern edition of the GIANT Ajax;
] am weak and worn out must get
my feet on Mother Earth to renew my
strength
The captain INDUCED in a generous
bite OF plug tobacco. He scrutinlzed the
broad shoulders. the sinewy fore-arms
and the healthy. sun-burned features or
the tall novelist before he replied.
You're q healshy looking weakling
sir. But it's your yacht. sir!' And he
walked aft to give the necessary or
ders for the anchoring and landing. ~
crazy bunch, these here authors he
unused. But | reckon they must be
TO write them crazy books"
The Sea GULF glided gracefully to
her anchorage in the harbor. under the
Ronald Roberts club man; globe
trotter. bon vivant and most import
tant of all to the public interest.
author Of three "best seilers' within ~
year, now addressed his bubblns ener-
gies to the task Of preparation for his
explorations. Hawkins, his valet, torn
rudely from the intellectual delights OF
the joke columns OF The Pink-un.
was spluttering soto voce maledic-
tions In the most up-to-date Cockney.
There. don't forget INK, camera-and
my hunting boOts-and my corduroys-'
and the heavy bore rifle. III get some
cartridges ashore. And three tins OF
hot tnh L.
ammunition for that novels Hurry w
now, for the tender lTas been lowered
alongside. and I'm as Wild to get
ashore as a kiddie starting on Sun
My word,- sir! I'd think you We're
going to stay month, sir! You won't
he a-needfng all this 'ere luggage. sir.
will you-tst for boat-ride. SIR,
Hawkins. we will s<%y over night
we say stay a nionth4we may stay
there permanently; the skipper said the
place was like grave-yard! chuckled
, Roberts. 80. you might chuck IN q
couple OF hand-embI oidered shrouds II
you have them handy In the iinep
"Oh. Lord. guvnor, Don't joke about
things like, that. sir; 1t ayn't good luck
sir" ,,.
Poor Hawkins was as superstitious
ava Mississippi river roustabout!
Cheer up. my boy" declared his
MASTER There's nothing to worry
"aDOut-lHdI Hlltt DidCt III pfotNiH'
as a country church. l wish there Were
some excitement. After two years OF
hard work in. the, CITY,, would like
10 have my cruise develop few
thrills. -" go"
'The boats ready. sir" called Cap
tain Farwell. from above.
Ronald Roberts sprang up the steps
joyously, as Hawkins grumbled over tht
finishing touches OF his packing. An
other ten minutes. and the small boat
had been moored to the end OF sag
cling quay-relic OF the vanished days OF
the ancient and honorable whaling In
dustry of which Port sunray had beer
A few idiers strolied down the plank
walk, to greet them with staring bnI
good natuTed curiosity.
Good afternoon, gentlemen" was
Roberts CHEEKY greeting. Can you di
rect me to the leading hotel OF th'
City snarled Hawkins. Indignantly
as he endeavored to jugele hand
satchel, a suitcase. a camera, and hi
masters rife. City"
But the compliment was not unappre
clated by the natives, whose bosom
swelIed beneath the homespum shirts.
There bent no hotel; friend" volun
teered The most patrlarchal OF the recep
tion committee. But, old 81 Squlgein
still runs the Holly Branch Tavern, VI
on the Mill Brook road. But. shucks. N
amt had no guests for about four year'
Mebbe he amt takin' none now,
"I.M take a chance" averred Roberts
Where Is his placer, .., 49,.
Up this we're road" volunteered an
other. N"It's long walk; mebbe oil
Cap'n Ben II take ye up In his hack.
Roberts looked up the quay In the di
rection indicated by a horny hand, an
heheld an antlquated carriage, "a
which stood a white-haired, bewhiskere'
Individual. uniformed for his trade o
local Jehu in the surprising garb OF
sea captain,
That's splendid. Send the boat in 20
morrow morning at TO- CAPTAIN Farwel
We're going on shore cruise here
Come along. Hawkins" and the novels
atrode toward the roadway.
. Now point out the historical spots q
the way ;" Roberts insisted. And VIII
aren't you trimming sails outside tn
harbor there. instead OF doing this land
lubber's work. here?"
wall, it's a long story" observed tn
ancient mariner. 81 was brung u
when ships was ships, and not stear
engines! I was master OF a clipper .
the days when whalin' was a perfes
shun. And here | am now. with nothiI
10 steer but old Betsy Jane, my hoss."
And Sc amt bloomin' long for thl
life, sir, II Him henny judge" was til
tactless interruption of Hawkins.
InA nj ola a