Meade County news., 1917-09-13
CHAPTER |.
A Yacht Party.


So many items bearing upon those
strange adventures which have lately
befallen me have found publication in
the newspapers, 0ftentimes distorted
and untrue, and resulting in letters of
inquiry from friends, induce me now
to write out the tale while the Incl
dents remain fresh in memory. In
deed, owe the truth not only to my
self but even more to her who so
bravely shared with me those days and
nights Of peril.
The earlier passion Of my life was
the sea, and, when others of my age
were grinding away through their
courses in college, was apprenticed
to the merchant service in fleet
owned by my father, trading between
New York and northern European
ports. Loving the work, and, possibly,
assisted by the fact that l was my
fathers sons, I rose rapidly, until
licensed as captain Of steam, and as
signed to command the Vulcan, a
ereighter of 5000 tons. At thirty, how
ever, the novelty and fascination Of q
sea life ceased its attraction, and when
my father died sufficient property be-
came my share from the estate to en-
able my resigning this command, and
retiring permanently from the service,
Circumstances, unnecessary now to re-
late, caused me to make permanent
home in Chicago, where soon became
engrossed in business, finding my sole
recreation in yachting upon the Great
Lakes. Such were the rather COM
monplace surroundings Of my life,
when, at thirty-seven, adventure sud-
denly called me out into the unknown.
Nothing could have been more unex-
pected than the occasion which took
me to New York. Carrington-Gerald
Darlington, the Copper King-had just
placed his new steam yacht, the Esme-
ralda, in commission, and was eager
to christen it by a run across to the
ports Of Spain. He wrote urging me
to become one Of the party. The temp
tation was irresistible, for, as knew
Mrs. Darlington was in Europe, the
guests on board would undoubtedly all
be men, and probably congenial fell
lows. "A bachelor myself, the long hours
at sea had left me unaccustomed to
the society Of women, whose presence
I avoided whenever possible. Hence,
I accepted Carrington's invitation im7
,mediately by wire, hastily packed the
few things necessary for the trip, and,
unaccompanied even by valet, caught
che Twentieth Century for New York.
Darlington lived on Long Island, and
( talked with him on the phone. There
we're to be twelve in the party, the
names of two, who were former ac-
quaintances, alone being mentioned in
our brief conversation. The yacht was
tying at Tompkinsville. provisioned,
and ready for the sea. I must be on
board by three o'clock the following
day, and he gave me quite explicit in
structions as to the best mode of reach
ing the vessel.
An accident to the ferry caused me
to miss the local train which I had an
ticipated taking the next morning, and
I was consequently the last of our
yachting party to arrive at Tompkins-
Vile. The others were already safely
aboard when hurried across the gang
plank, to receive the cordial welcome
Of Darlington, who Immediately or
dered the vessel under way. The
guests must have been gathered on the
upper deck, enjoying the excitement of
departure, for caught no glimpse of
anyone on board, excepting some men,
bers Of the crew, as the steward led
me to the cabin assigned to my use
during the voyage.
Even the brief view 1 had obtained
OF the boat impressed me strongly,
both with its beauty and seagoing
qualities. was sailor enough to ap-
preciate all this at q glance. The
bsmeralda was a steam yacht, schoo-
ner rigged alOft, of over fifteen hun
dred 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. 1t was deserted, ex-
cept for a 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 1
seen a more coEy, 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 edss Of the companioAway,