The Raymer enterprise., 1918-11-07
CHAPTER v.
The Captain Makes q Friend.

TNvE minutes later he was at the
street corner inquiring Of a po-
llceman the handiest way TO get
to Pine street" Following the direc-
tions given. he boarded train at the
nearest subway station. emerged at
Wall street, inquired once more, To-
Gated the street he was looking for
and, consulting a card which he took
from big stained leather pocketbook,
walked on, peering at the numbers Of
the buildings he passed.
The Offices Of Sylvester, Kuhn 4
Graves were on the sixteenth floor OF
a new and gorgeously appointed sky
sersper. When Captain Elisha entered
the firms reception room he was ac-
eosted by wide awake and extremely
self possessed office boy.
Informed by the none too courteous
lad that none Of the firm was In, he
hft his card, saying he'd return later.
Captain Elisha strolled down Pine
street, looking about him with interest.
II had been years since he visited this
locality. aud the changes were many.
Soon, however, he began to recognize
familiar landmarks. He was approach.
Ing the water front, and there were
fewer new buildings. When he reached
South street he was thoroughly ut
home.
The docks were crowded. The river
was alive with small craft OF all kinds.
Steamers and schooners were plenty,
but the captain missed the old square
riggers. the clipper ships and barks,
such as he had sailed In as cabin boy,
rs foremast hand aud later command.
ed on many seas
AT length. however, he saw four mast
towering above the roof Of a freight
house. They were not schooner rIgged,
those masts. The yards were set square
across, and along with them were furl-
ed royals and upper topsails. Here at
last was craft worth looking at. Cap
tain Elisha crossed the street, hurried
past the covered freight house and saw
II magnificent great ship lying beside
broad, open wharf Down the wharf
he walked, ioyfully, rs one who greets
an old friend.
The wharf was practically deserted.
An ancient watchman was doing In a
sort Of sentry box, but he did not wake.
There was a pile Of foreign looking
crates and boxes AT the farther end OF
tie pier, evidently the last bit Of cargo
waiting to be carted away. The cap
tain inspected the pile, recognized the
goods as Chinese and japanese, then
read the name on the big ships stera
She was the Empress OF the Ocean, and
her home port was Liverpool.
The captain stroIled about, looking
her over. The number OF improvements
since his seagoIng days was astonish.
ing He was standing by the wheel,
near the enmpanlonwny, wishing that
he might inspect the officers quarters,
but not liking to do so without an In.
yitatlon, when two men emerged from
ne cabin.
One OF the pair was evidently the
japanese steward Of the ship. The 9th.
or was a tall, clean cut young fellow,
those general appearance and lack OF
Iunburn showed quite plainly that he
was not seafaring man by profession.
he said he WAS friend of one OF the
ronsignees and would be pleased to
show the captain over the ship.
Captain Elisha, delighted with the
opportunity, expressed his thanks, and
the tour Of inspection began, The
steward remained on deck, but the
captain and bis new acquaintance
strolled through the officers quarters
together.
'Jerushyw exclaimed the former as
he viewed the main cabin. Say, you
could pretty nigh have a dance here,
couldn't your A small one. This re-
minds me OF the cabin aboard the Sea.
gull. first vessel ! went mate of-it's
30 dfffrent. Aboard her we had TO
walk sIttln' down. There want room
In the cabin for more'n one to stand
up at n time. But she could sail. lust
the same, and carry 1t too. I've seen
her of the Horn with studdIn' sails
BET when craft twice her length and
tonnage had everything furled above
the topsl yard. iii hunt You mustn't
mind an old salt runnin' on this way
I've been out Of the pickle tub a good
shile. but | cal'late the brine amt all
3ut OF my system"
His guides eyes snapped.
Il understand" he said, laughing.
I've never been at sea on long voy-
'.ge In my life, but I can understand
lust how you feel. It's In my blood. /
hess. / come Of a salt water line.
tfy people were from Belfast. Me-, and
livery man Of them went to sea-"
'Belfasf, hey7 They turned out
aue 4 No sailorr "a Belfast I