Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-18
1879

LOttie not only fltved themselves Out
for the coming yachting trip. but
Jimmy as well. With the help Of Rex
and Frank, Jimmy was fitted with
several suits, including white fan
nels. and everything III the line OF
wearing apparel.
On Monday at HOO a. m. they
went aboard. The steward had been
given instructions to purchase every
thing that might add to the comfort
and pleasure of everybody Tor a SIX
months cruise. The luncheon that
was served at one o'clock by the
two walters while the yacht stu re-
NAMED at her dock, was q very sat
isfying evidence Of both the Ste
wards and the chefs qualifications.
1t was while they were getting
away from the dock that Margery
noticed one Of the three new deck
hands. Pat and she, with Rex and
the doctor, were standing in the big,
roomy pilot house, where the cap
tain, who was at the wheel, had in
vited them.
That mans face Is very familiar
to me-" she said to everybody in
general and indicating the man re-
ferred to, who, at that moment, was
lust lifting the moose of the forward
line over the top OF the pile. I've
seen him somewhere, I'm positive"
she went on, ruminatively, but I
can't quite place himi'
Well. 1 hardly think he'll ever
be picked as the winner Of any
beauty contest" opined Rex. favor
ing the man with a contemplat4ye
look. For 1 don't just admire the
cut Of his jib,' to use a sailors
phrase"
Il don't know his name" said
Captain Lee from his stand in front
Of the wheel, where he had just
pressed a brass knob, signalling the
engine room. He is one Of the three
new deck hands Mister Paulson, the
second officer. hired Saturday"
He has a vicious looking mouth"
observed Pat, who very rarely spoke
N the least way derogatory OF any
person. Il would imagine he had an
ungovernable temper" she added af-
ter another glance at the fellow who.
at that instant was approaching
the yachts rail, the loop Of the
heavy rope hanging from his should
er.
A trifling incident, apparently.
And yet, as every person knows, It
Is frequently the trifling incident
that points the way, almost direct
ly, to the overwhelming disaster.
or the astonishing good fortune.
Had Margery'S memory during
those few moments in the pilot
house, had she recalled the oC-
cas!on upon which she had seen
that mans face. that recollection
would, in al probability, have al
tered materially the outcome OF this
story.
The man certainly would not, a.
Rex had said, ever be picked as a
beauty prize winner. His brick-red
hair. coarse and why. seemed 10
grow straight out from the scalp.
dis scrub-brush Of a moustache
and the heavy betting eyebrows
lent a fierce aspect TO the face. a
look that was accumulated by the
small, pig-like eyes. In build ne vas
short and squat. his small head
The appearance Of a monstrous PIN
pie growing out between the wide
shoulders.
What's the best time the Blue
bird will make under good condi-
tons. Captain?" asked Rex, as the
slight vibration told Of the propel-
ler's start. the craft beginning 10
forge slowly ahead.
Captain Lee made no immediate
reply. His gaze was fixed on the
narrow space between his ships
port rail and the huge abutmentS
OF the dock along the side Of which.
the yacht was o. gliding with a
swiftly increasing speed. A moment
later the docks end slipped past
the line Of vision IN the pilot house
and the vessel was heading out in
TO the open Hudson. Then the cap
tain turned toward his questioner.
His wind-blown eyes tWinkled the
corners OF his mouth.
You'd be like to thinkin' I was
a liar" he said in his throaty
drawing tones. IF / told you hon
estly what I've done with this ship!
Old sailormen Of the windiammer
days always tell me I'm crazy when
] mention her best running timel"
mo, no, I'll believe you, Captaln!'
avowed Rex with quick eagerness.
go ahead. Give us the low-down
on her speed qualities!"
well, sir" began the old navigat-
or as he turned the small electrical
Uncontrolled wheel a few inches to
port. glanced carefully ahead and
then looked sideways at ballard.
I've stood at this wheel here for
an hour at a time when this vesse,
was a-traveling through the wats
at a thirty knot clipl Yes, sir
For you understand went or
the captain with the true pride in
his own ships abilities, The Blue
bird has the latest improved model
turbine engines and two four
bucket propellers that are bigger
than many liner'sl You can't feel
a particle Of vibration now at ten
miles an hour. Even at thirty. it's
only a little noticeable. That's be-
cause of her steel keelson and the
way she's reinforced forward and
aft. She's built for speed. and.
properly handled. she'll nose into
any sea that ever rolled"