Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-24

cept for waiter or two attired in
white jackets who had covered 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 q more cozy, 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 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
fulness to the scene, yet inviting to the
open air. I would meet those with
whom I 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, lawyer we'll known to cor
porations who desired to keep just
within legal restrictions, sat at table,
his hand lingering a half-filled glass
while he talked to the men opposite;
and Mccain, fart, 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 three
others, to tell the latest story Of the
street. Personally l cared little for
either of these men, yet had known
both, in 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 I
knew, and being duly presented to the
others.
Whatever they might have been in
business way, and for that l 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 was banked with
flowers, the service was perfection,
and the chez was evidently genius.
We fingered over the wine and cigars,
the conversation drifting where 1t
would.
1 believe I was among the first to
leave the table and return outside, and
as my inclination was to remain alone
and enjoy the calm Of the night, ven
tured forward along the deserted deck,
until found fancied security from OBJ
servation in the shadow Of a small
boat. The others, as they emerged
later from the companion, outlined
moment against the light, turned once
again aft, and resumed their old places.
Nothing occurred to break the mo-
notony, and finally, wearying of 1t all,
went below, being in no mind to join
at games with the others. I was soon
asleep.
Some dormant sense of seamanship,
aroused to new life, perhaps, by my
brief watch on deck, must have awak-
ened me. For I sat up in bed, con-
scious that the vessels motion had
ceased. All was silent; no jar shook
the keel, no footsteps sounded on the
deck above. switched on the electric
light, and glanced at my watch; it was
slightly after midnight. Through the
open port nothing was visible but the
dark waters, and the far-off CLEAN of
a light, alternating in flashes of white.
l did not know enough of this coast
line to identify the signal, yet it was
plainly evident we were some distance
from land.
Why the Esmeralda had stopped her