The Huttig news., 1917-09-08
 CHAPTER [.
A Yacht Party.


 strange adventures which have lately befallen me have found publication in the newspapers, oftentimes distorted and untrue, and resulting in letters of inquiry from friends, induce me now to write out the tale while the inci- dents remain fresh in memory. h. 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, I was apprenticed to the merchant service in a fleet owned by my father, trading between New York and northern European ports. Loving the work, and, possibly, assisted by the fact that I was my fathers sons, I rose rapidly, until licensed as captain of steam, and as signed to command the Vulcan, a freighter of 5000 tons. At thirty, how ever, the novelty and fascination of 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 I 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- peeted than the occasion which took me to New York. Carrington-Gerald Darlington, the Copper King-had just ralda. in commission. and was eager to christen 1t by run across to the ports of Spain. He wrote urging me to become one of the party. The temp tation was irresistible, for, as I knew Mrs. Darlington was in Europe, the guests on board would undoubtedly all be men, and probably congenial fel D. at sea had left me unaccustomed to the society of women, whose presence I avoided whenever possible. Hence. I accepted Carrington's invitation i'm mediately by wire, hastily packed the few things necessary for the trip. and, unaccompanied even by valet, caught the Twentieth Century for New York.
 Darlington lived on Long Island. and I talked with him on the phone. There were 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 lying at Tompkinsville. provisioned, and ready for the sea. I must be on beard by three o'clock the following day, and he gave me quite explicit in- struciOns 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- tfcipated 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 1 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 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.
 Even the brief view had obtained of the boat impressed me strongly, both with It's beauty and seagoing qualities. I was sailor enough to ap- preciate all this at glance. The Esmeralda was 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. It was deserted, ex- cept for a waiter or two attired in white jackets who had covered long table suspended by stanchions from the ueCk n6hHiS Anpfb, HHu WtFe apieaaiAs 1t with snowy linen In preparation for the six o'clock meal. Never had l seen a more cozy, homelike interior. Forward, an open passage, guarded only by silently swinging doors, led to the stewards pantry, and various storerooma beyond, while beside this opening broad brass'railed stairway led easily to the upper deck. Sunlight touched the edge of the companionway, and fiickered 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. plained 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 uo. Por arouyh advapced tO give ample