The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-13
.f1Y Lazy efAeNoRTH." riAo kMe FOREST" ETC

guests muSI nave Deen satnereO on tne,
upper deck, enjoying the excitement Of
departure, for I caught no glimpse Of
anyone on board, excepting some mem.
bers Of the crew, as the steward led
me to the cabin assigned to my use
during the voyage. 1A74
Even the brief view I had obtained
Of the boat impressed me strongly,
both with its beauty and seagoing
qualities. I was sailor enough to ap.
preciate all this at a glance. The
Esmeralda was steam yacht, schoo-
ner rugged aloft, of over fifteen hun
sdred tons, constructed for deep.water
cruising; well manned, and able to com.
bat the storms Of any ocean.
I opened the door and emerged into
the main cabin. It was deserted, ex-
:cept for q waiter or two attired In
white jackets who had covered a long
table suspended by stanchions from the
deck beams above, and were spreading
1t with snowy linen in preparation for
the six. o'clock meal. Never had ]
seen a more coy, homelike interior.
Forward, an open passage, guarded
only by silently swinging doors, led
to the stewards pantry, and various
storerooms beyond, while beside this
opening a broad, brass-railed stairway
led easily to the upper deck. Sunlight
touched the edge Of the companionway,
and flickered down through a half
opened skylight above, yielding cheer
fitness to the scene, yet inviting to the
open air. I would meet those with
whom was destined to companion on
this voyage across summer seas.
No passengers were visible on the
deck, yet this mystery was soon ex-
planned as l stepped to one side and
glanced aft. The cabin projection was
not high, yet sufficiently so to break
the force Of the headwind, and besides
was far enough advanced to: give ample
deck space at the stern. Here an
awning had been erected, and beneath
It's shelter were gathered the vessels
guests. I recognized but three in the
group -. Darlington, red-faced and
.white-haired, cigar gripped in his
teeth, giving some instructions to the
steward; Fosdick, tall, slim, thin
Tipped, a lawyer we'll known to cor
porations who desired to keep just
within legal restrictions, sat at table,
his hand lingering a half-flled glass
while he talked to the men opposite;
and Mccain, fat, good-natured, born
to his fathers millions, who amused
himself by the pretense Of being a
broker, interrupting the game Of cards
IN which he: was engaged With hree
others, to- tell the latest story Of the
street. Personally cared little for
either Of these men, yet had known
both, in a way, for some time. The
others, judging from the outward ap-
pearances, had been recruited from
about the same class-business &C
quaintances of Darlington no doubt. I
went forward, greeting those whom !
knew, and being duly presented to the
others.
Whatever they might have been in
a business way, and for that I cared
absolutely nothing, they proved them
selves most companionable bunch Of
fellows to meet.
The memory of that first meal in the
snug after cabin Of the Esmeralda re-
mains most pleasant recollection.
The cabin had been darkened, and the
soft light Of swinging lamp cleaned
back from snowy damask and glitter
ing silver, The center vas banked With
81