u
COMPARAND
APomanco of ihe North Atlantic
6y RANDALL PAPPI5A
CO
AUTHOR of riY LADY oj the WORTH,' MAID oj thr fOHtbT," ETC
SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I—Robert Hollis, one-time
•ea captain, who tells the story, Is a
guest on Gerald Carrington’s yacht, Es
meralda. It Is supposed to be a "stag''
party and Hollis Is surprised on discover
ing a woman, who evidently wishes to re
main unknown, aboard.
CHAPTER II—Hollis, the next night,
•ucceeds In having an interview with the
woman. She merely tells him her name
Is Vera.
CHAPTER III—Carrington tells his
guests of the coming war, and that he
Is engineering a copper pool.
CHAPTER IV—The yacht is sunk in a
collision and Hollis saves McCann, mil
lionaire, and one of the party.
CHAPTER V—Hollis and McCann res
cue Vera and leave the ship In a small
boat.
CHAPTER VI—Hollis and Vera become
friendly, though he Is unaware of her
identity.
CHAPTER VII.
I Enforce Authority.
Scarcely had we taken this new
course when the sun, now well above
the horizon, a red ball of fire, burst
through a rift In the clouds, anti the
waters In our wake became a trail of
crimson. The encircling mist seemed
rent asunder by some invisible power,
whirling away like wreaths of smoke
blown by the wind, and yielding us
broad view to where sky and ocean
met. Our straining eyes caught no
where a signal of life or hope, no gleam
of distant soil, no black shadow of
smoke. We were alone In the drear
waste of water, with not even a speed
ing seagull to break the dull vista of
wurrlng sea anil sky.
I forced myself to turn away from
the grlin fascination, back to the boat
In which we flouted. McCann had sunk
down abaft the jury mast, and rested
there hanging over the side, starirg
moodily down Into the green water.
Ills heavy fuce exhibited no Interest
and looked almost brutal in the garish
light. Lord, how the appearance of
the man had changed! Could this be
the same fellow I hod played cards
with on the quarteijdeok of the Esmer
alda only two days before? Why, then
he had been the life of the company,
full of humor, a bit rough In speech to
be sure, und drinking more than was
unpo.imj, yet apparently a gooo tei
low. But now—why, he Actually lmd
the aspect of u brute; nyp, and like
wise the manners of one. A single
night of danger and exposure had suf
ficed to bring to the surface his true
character, had stripped off the veneer,
and proven him a bullying coward, in
efficient, and unwilling. I felt my teeth
close tightly ns I looked at him, but
relief came when I turned toward the
girl, seated near me. She must have
felt the Intentness with which I re
garded her, for she turned suddenly, a
flush sweeping her cheeks.
“Isn’t It wonderful, Mr. Hollis, the
way those clouds and waves blend
yonder, such a marvelous massing of
colors? Oh, there Is no beauty like the
sea 1”
"But always a cruelty In Its beauty,
like that of a tiger cat," I answered.
“Pei Imps we bad better breakfast,
Miss Vera; let me see your bag of bis
cuits by dnyllght.”
She brought them forth, together
with the jug. A little sea water had
seeped into the bag, and the outer lay
ers were more or less mildewed, yet
enough remained sweet and wholesome
to give me hope of their sustaining us
until we should be picked up by some
passing vessel. The water Jug, how
ever, was only hulf-fllled and must be
sparingly used.
“We will go on short rations,” I an
nounced, breaking a biscuit with my
knife. “Just enough to keep us from
starving. Here, McCann, Is your por
tion."
J He reached out and took what I
handed him; then gave utterance to a
curse.
“My God! do you mean I am to
breakfast on this half biscuit?" be ex
clutmed angrily.
“On that, or on none at all,” I an
swered, eyeing him sternly. “You
haven't done so much work as to earn
double rations. I give you the same as
I take myself. All we have Is what Is
In this bag, and heaven knows when
w* shall meet a ship."
“Ship, h-! We are not far from
Long Island."
"Two hundred miles at least, and
with this Jury rig we should have to
make some wide tacks on that course.
Take what I give you, man, and be de
cent about It.”
He grumbled something regarding
his belief that I was keeping most of
the food for myself, but I broke in, de
termined to end the discussion:
’ “That’s talk enough. Eut your half
biscuit the same as we do, and he
thankful you have got that; and when
you come to the water, one swallow
each will be all we arc entitled to. You
hear me?"
“Yes, I hear you; but who In thun
der are you?”
•‘The only seaman on board, McCann,
nnd the life of this young lady, as well
as your own, depends on my Judgment.
I am not seeking trouble with you, but
you will obey my orders while we are
Afloat here,, or take the consequences.
That half biscuit is your ration; eat it,
or leave it, ns you please, but you'll
cut out the profanity, and I'll not
warn you again.”
He was top great a coward to force
the issue, and fell to munching his bis
cuit, one hand gripping the gunwale,
ns though he wished my throat was be
tween his fingers. As I nibbled at my
own small portion, watchful of his
V'
“He Has a Revolver."
movements, and thinking of how best
to keep the fellow 211 ii safe distance,
the girl leaned toward mo, mul whis
pered a word in my oar.
"He has n revolver. I saw the butt
In Ills pocket, while he lay asleep In
the how. You will ho careful, Mr. Hol
lis?"
“You need have no fear for me,” 1
answered reassuringly, arid ventured
to touch her hand where it rested on
the thwart between us. "I have been
a bucko mate, my lady, and learned
how to handle his kind. If he ever
draws a gun on me out here. I'll teach
him something he never learned yet in
Wall street.”
The hours of that day fairly dragged
along, ns we stared out dull-eyed on
the same vista of sen and sky. The
gfrl and I talked, avoiding as much ns
possible all reference to our situation,
and the fate of the yacht, our conver
sation drifting here and there. We
spoke of books, of art, of drama, and
she exhibited even a wider range of
knowledge on these subjects than I
possessed, while her comments were
keen and original—not pedantic, nor
bookish In any way, but the outspoken
frankness of young womanhood. In
deed, she was wholesome all through,
her face a mirror of her nature, her
eyes reflecting hack each mood. Never
nei ore nan i met one of her sex so
deeply interesting, so unconventional
and plain-spoken.
However, our conversation lapsed at
last, through sheer weariness on my
part. 1 had been at the steering oar
so long, staling out into that drear ex
panse of ocean and sky. that every
muscle of my body ached, and my eyes
could scarcely be forced to remain
open. In the silence she must have no
ticed tills, for she exclaimed suddenly :
“Why, I never thought! you must be
nearly dead with fatigue. Let me tuke
the oar while you sleep.”
“I am afraid I shall have to,” 1 ad
mitted, “for I must keep awake to
night. You feel competent?”
“Why, of course; you saw me steer.
If anything goes wrong I can call you
easily enough. Please lie down for a
few hours.”
i loosed hdout. permuting ner to
grasp the oar, and slip into my seat.
“Iteally I feel as' If I must,” I saiil
regretfully, “and there can he no dan
ger while things keep us they are. Call
me, though, if there Is a change in the
weather, for that jury mast will never
stand any weight of wind.”
“I promise; but I am a better boat
man than you think."
I must have slept for several hours
undisturbed, for, when 1 finally opened
my eyes once more the sky above us
was beginning to turn purple with twi
light, nnd the breeze had failed, so that
the sail flapped idly against its impro
vised mast. This, perhaps, was the
uolse which had aroused me. I sat up
wide awake instantly, and stared about
me in the boat. There was little
change noticeable; Miss Vera still
clung to the steering oar, Showing no
outward signs of weariness, and greet
ed me with a snille and nod of the
head; but McCann had moved forward,
and sut playing idly with un open jack
knife.
“I bear testimony that you slept well,
Mr. Hollis," the girl said cheerfully.
"I did not renllze until I lay down
how weary I was," I replied, udoptlng
her manner, “but really you had no
right to let me lie so long. Why, I
j must have been sleeping three or four
hours, and you will be tired out.”
“Oh, no; it was no (rick at all. The
wind kept steady until just a few mo
ments ago, and I do not feel in the
least fatigued."
“And you have seen nothing? no
smoke, no sail?"
She shook her head, her eyes grown
grave.
“Not a thing; we seem to be abso
lutely alone In the Immensity of the
sea—just one great wave after the
other. It—it gets on my nerves.”
“It certainly does; such a sight has
driven more than one insane. But
what does this mean? Why is the bis
cuit bag out here?”
1 pointed to the bottom of the boat,
beyond her feet. Her eyes met mine,
her answer made in a whisper.
“lie—he crept back here while I was
adjusting my oar, and took two.”
“McCann?”
“Yes, he had the bag before 1 no
1 tlced, and I thought it best not to auger
i him then, for he held that open knife
in his hand.”
“You should have called me.”
“The mischief was done before I had
any time. Besides I knew you needed
i the sleep. What are you going to do?”
I smiled a bit grimly, glimpsing him
! beneath the sail.
“I am about to give Mr. Fergus Mc
I Fann, late of New York, a little speci
men of sen discipline which I hope may
last him for the remainder of this voy
age*." I replied quietly. “Hold the boat
steady, Miss Vera, and leave me to at
tend to this degenerate son of wealth.”
I crept forward, scarcely jarring the
frail craft, and was beyond the jury
mast before the fellow had aroused
sufficiently from his knife play even to
note my approach. He stared at me In
solently, leaving the keen blude trem
bling in the plank.
“McCann,” I began, wasting no time
in preliminaries, lifting myself on one
knee, and facing him. “1 lie young lady
says you took advantage of my being
sound asleep to help yourself to bis
cuits; Is that so?”
“Well, what if I did? I was hungry.”
“Ho am I; so no doubt Is the lady,
for the matter of that. Hunger Is no
justification for stealing. You were
not starving; you received exactly the
same share we did. More than that, I
have assumed command of this boat,
because 1 am the only one on board
knowing the ways of the sea. I told
you plainly what you were to do, and
I propose to enforce my orders. Not
another bite will be given you today,
or tomorrow.”
“Is that so?” lie drawled, a wicked
smile revealing bis teeth. “You must
think you are dealing with n foremast
bond. It takes something besides
threats to run me, Mr. Robert Hollis.”
I le half arose to his feet, but 1 forced
him back onto the thwart none too
gently. 11 is face was red with pussion,
his eyes malevolent.
“I>—— you! take your hands off
me!” he snarled. “No blustering sea
bully is going to make me jump at the
crook of his finger. You touch me
again, and I’ll show you who I am, you
big brute. Me take orders from you?
Why, pooh; I’ve got more money In
New York than you ever saw.”
“If you owned the Bank of England
it would mean nothing to me. You will
do what I say, or I’ll make you.”
“You will? How?"
“No matter how; I’ve trained more
men than you to obedience in my time,
and always found a way.”
“Hub! the bucko-mate business,
hey?" he sneered. "Well, just try that
on me, if you think it safe. I’ll show
you—”
His hand darted back townrd his hip
pocket, but I was looking for the move
nont. and ready. His fingers had bare
v gripped tie* butt of his weapon when
my clinched fist crashed into his face.
I have struck harder blows, for I was
not poised to put my whole weight be
hind it, yet 'he man went over as
though floored by an ax, and lay hud
dled In the bows quivering like a
jelly fish. I jerked the revolver from
the grip of his hand, dropped It Into
my pocket, wrenched the open knife
from the wood in which it stuck, and
closed the blade.
“Get up now, you fool,” I ordered
sharply. “Oh, yes, you will,” and I
gripped him by the collar und lifted
him roughly to his knees. "That Is
likely to be the last time you will ever
attempt to pull a gun on me. Make an
other movement, McCann, and I'll
throw you overhonrd. You take your
"Say Sir, When You Speak to Me."
orders from me, and you must jump
! when I speak, or I shall take pleasure
In breaking every byne In your body
Do you understand that?”
I doubt if he could see out of one
eye, but the other exhibited a terroi
almost pitiable.
"Y—yes.”
“Say sh\ when_you speak to me."
“Yes—yes, Sir."
“You’ll keep to this end of the boat
hereafter; whether I am asleep or
awake, you stay forward of the Jury
mast.”
l *■ 12. 1
| CHAPTER VIII.
We Sight a Tramp.
The one blow, coupled with the loss
of his weapons, had so completely
cowed the fellow, that I scarcely pave
him another thought. I crept back to
the stern, and took the steering oar,
the girl’s eyes meeting mine questlnn
lngly.
"I could not see all that occurred, be
cause of the sail," she said. “You dis
armed the man?"
“Y^s, I hnve his revolver in my
pocket, and the knife ulso. He win
make no more trouble. Come, we will
divide a biscuit between us. and then
! it will be your turn to lie down.”
“But doesn’t McCann have any?"
“He has hnd more thnn his share al
ready. I’ll offer him a swallow of wa
ter—that's all. I imagine the way his
head feels, he has forgotten all about
being hungry.”
“You had to strike him?”
“Slightly, a mere tap of sea disci
pline,” and I glanced at my knuckles,
i "He was armed, you know, and I could
take no chances. There is no harm
done. Come; are you not tired enough
to rest?”
She glanced up into my face.
“You will call me at midnight, If I
fall asleep?”
“If 1 feel worn out then, and the
sen keeps as it is, or no worse. There,
take my coat for a pillow. No, really I
shall not need It; this is an ideal sum
mer night, but we are out of the track
of ships.”
“But do you still believe we will find
one?"
“I KntrA n»AHTT fnltb In il.n n.oel.l *» 1
answered heartily, determined to con
ceal my doubts. “If the weather holds
pleasant, we should be fur enough
south by morning to he In the north
Atlantic lane between New York and
Liverpool. Lie down, and rest, Miss
Vera; there Is no sign of any storm
brewing, and tomorrow you'll probably
have the deck of a liner under your
feet.”
I know not how much she may have
believed of what I said, hut she smiled
me n cheerful good-night, and lay down
in the bottom of the boat, my coot fold
ed under her head. She rested there
motionless, her face shadowed by one
arm, and very soon her regular breath
ing convinced me she slept like a tired
child. I looked at her shadowy figure;
then forward to where McCann hung
silent in the bows.
What if we should not overhaul a
ship? What if some evil fate would
permit of our floating on unseen? And
there were few eatable biscuits left,
and barely a cupful of tepid water. The
thought of what the end might be near
ly crazed me, as I sat there alone in
the silence and gloom—I could picture
those final hours of despair, as we lay
starved and helpless In the unguided
boat, the girl mercifully unconscious,
perhaps, and McCann a gibbering idiot.
My God! I must stop thinking! I
must be a man for her sake: aye, and
retain my self-control, so as to do a
man’s work to the end.
At midnight the wind was at its
height, and I did not call the girl, ns I
dared not trust her to steer the craft
through such rough water. She slept
undisturbed, not even ehuuging her po
sition, a mere dim outline at my feet.
Forward McCann hud stowed himself
away beyond the bow thwart, and I
could see nothing of him under the
bight of the sail. I was the only one
awake in the leaping boat, fighting Its
! desperate way through black wnters
: under the dull gleam of the stars.
I The sun had begun to show above
the horizon before the girl flnully
i awoke, and sat up in the bottom of the
i boat, staring about her with wide-open
eyes, as though startled by the change
in the aspect of the sea. Finally she
lifted herself to the nearest thwart,
I and greeted me reproachfully.
“You have let me sleep all night, and
lying on your coat. You must be tired
nearly to death.”
“Far from it; and we are to be
1 blessed with another day of sunshine.
Perhaps by afternoon the sea will have
gone down, and I can get a nap. Are
you ready for breakfast?"
My explanation did not satisfy her;
I could read that in the expression of
her face, but she made no further pro
! test.
I
I
I
I
She drew out the biscuits from the
locker, broke one In two, and handed
the half to me. Still clinging to the
bap, her glance fell upon the slouching
figure of McCann In the bow, and then
her eyes sought my face questlontngly.
“You are not going to offer him
any?”
“He deserves none; he has already
had more than both of us together.
How many are left?”
“Seven fit to eat. But—” she hesi
tated, yet went on braved enough,
“please, lie Is not accustomed to being
deprived of food, and Is really suffer
ing. Let him have my share, for I am
not at all hungry—truly I am not.
“I shall Insist on your eating," I said,
almost sternly. “Your share is little
enough to sustain life. If It comes to
a choice between saving you, and that
miserable thing yonder, my course Is
taken. However, I grant your request
now, although I doubt if he shows
even gratitude. McCann!”
He lifted his head, and stared aft,
but without changing attitude.
“Here Is your ration. You do not de
serve a bite, nor would you receive any
through me. You owe this to the lady
—catch It now.”
He picked the half biscuit up from
the bottom of the boatj where it feljjit
his feet, nnd began nibbling at It, like
a famished dog. There was no sign of
thnnkfulness In his action, nnd he con
tinued to glare nt us with one eye open
In sullen Insolence.
The sun blazed down upon us out
of a clear sky, glistening along the,
foam of racing waves, but, as noon ap
proached, the southern sky became
misty, the clouds increasing in den
sity until we could see only a few
hundred yards beyond our bow. It
was not a storm cloud, and brought
with It no fear of disaster, but com
pletely blotted out the horizon, and
gave a dark, snllen gloom to the sur
rounding waters.
It must have been three o'clock when
McCann suddenly gave vent to a
startled roar, straightening to his
knees, nnd pointing strnlght ahead Into
the smother^ I stured, but saw nothing
except the grotesque forms assumed by j
the whirling mist, but Vera leaned out
over the side, shading her eyes.
“What is it?” I asked sharply.
"Make a report, mnn I”
“A ship yonder!” he shouted, but
without turning his head. “I saw it
plainly enough, but It hns gone now.”
“I see It, Mr. IIollls 1” the girl cried
excitedly. “Right out there through
that lane of mist—It’s a big steamer!”
“Straight ahead?”
“Just a little this way—there! you
can see her now!"
T (1IH n nirtPO trl I mvtun I
natnntlir aK.
soured, but visible again a moment
later. McCann was on his feet, ges
ticulating wildly.
“Now, d- you!” he shouted, “put
us on board there, and I'll show you
who I am. You brute, I dare you to
put us on board.”
“Sit down!” I ordered. "Now, keep
still, and stand by with that rope. I’ll
put you aboard all right, but until I do,
you will obey what I say, or go Into
the water.”
I took my eyes off him, and stared
at the vessel, conscious instuntly that
something was wrong. She wns ap
parently a big steel freighter, four
thousand tons I guessed, her water line
showing a heavy cargo, and her bows
red with rust where the black paint
had disappeared. The foremast was
broken off at the tops, remaining a
great splinter, and where the bridge
and wheelhoyse ought to be there was
piled a mass of wreckage, showing
black above the bulwarks. A wheel
had been rigged aft on the poopdeck,
and there alone I saw evidence of hu
man beings on board. One fellow stood
gripping the spokes, while another
leaned motionless against the rail fac
ing forward. Neither one saw us, al
though I swung my hat, and sent a
hull across the intervening water. The
girl glanced back Into my face.
“What Is the matter with them, Mr.
Hollis?" she asked. “Is something
wrong?”
“I am afraid so; their foretop mast
Is down, and It looks us though It had
smashed the bridge and wheelhonse
when it fell. They have rigged up an
emergency wheel aft. Can you make
out her name?”
“The Indian Chief of Philadelphia.”
“No regular liner—-probably a tramp.
I never saw funnels painted like that
before, and she shows no flag. How
ever, any port in a storm.”
I stood up, hollowing my hands.
“Ahoy there! Indian Chief, ahoy!”
The man leaning on the after rail
turned, and gazed down at us, shading
his eyes, and the heads of a half dozen
others bobhed up above the forward
bulwarks. I could see the fellow aft
plainly now. a broad, stockily built
man, with extremely red face, wearing
overalls, and a woolen shirt, open at
the throat. In appearance there was
nothing of the officer about him, yet
It was his voice which finally answered
my hail, sending a deep, roaring note
across the waters.
“Hullo, there. Who are yer? From
some ship close by?”
“We are passengers from the Ameri
can yacht Esmeralda, sunk In collision
two nights ago, and have been afloat
ever since. Can you take us aboard?”
“Passengers, you say? All of yer
passengers?”
“Yes.”
ue iuiuvu, Him spone iu uie man
grasping the wheel, a tall, loose-jointed
fellow in straw hat and pink shirt.
There was a moment's argument be
fore he returned to his position at the
rail.
“I dunno as yer would he much bet
ter off along with us than yer sre tliar
In the dinghy," he called indifferently.
“For, in a manner o’ speakln', we’re no
more than a wreck. I reckon tliar
ain’t no one among yer who knows how
to navigate?’’
I stood ui). hollowing my hands to
make my voice carry more clearly.
“That is not n very sailorlike speech,
my friend,” 1 shouted, yet striviug to
conceal anger. "But ns you put hu
manity on those tortus, I’ll answer you.
I have been in the merchant service,
and commanded ships."
“Well? Is that so? Sail, or steam?”
“Steam—the old Atlas line. Do you
take us aboard?"
I lie did not answer directly, but had
lost his air of indifference, striding
j forward to the end of the poop, and
giving orders to the men forward. The
black heads adorning the forecustle
rail disappeared, and a moment later
the round, red face again appeared.
“Aye, we’ll take yer, sir,” he called
down, a touch of deference In his
hoarse voice. “Ye'll understand the
i trouble once yer come aboard. Yer
all able to climb, I reckon?"
I “We have a woman with us.”
“It’ll be quite a Job to tig up a
swing, sir."
I turned and looked at her; then up
the straight steel sides looming before
us, but before I could speak, she had
made decision. _
“I can go up the ladder, Mr, Hollla,"
she said firmly. “I am not afraid."
"All right,” I called. “Lower away,
and send a man down to steady It be
low.”
The little dinghy swept In easily,
and, under my directions, McCann awk
wardly fended It off from scraping
against the steel sides. As the rope
ladder straightened, I caught the lower
coll, and held it firmly. Down the rat
lines, hand over hanu, until he dropped
sprawling Into the boat, came one of
the crew—a coal black negro. The
fellow above, now standing on the
rail and clinging to a backstay, roared
down at him.
“Haul her in, Simms; haul her In.
That's more like it. Now hold all
Zt
She Did ^ot Hesitate, Qrasplng the
Rope Firmly in Hor Hand*.
taut. Send up the Indy first, captain;
there'll be a hand to help her in the
chains."
She did not hesitate, grasping the
rope firmly In her hands as the negro
and I llftpd her high enough to get
foothold.
“You are all right, Miss Vera?”
"Yes,” qhe called down.
"Then go up, but hold tight; the
vessel nmy roll."
McCann followed, tpo glad to thus
escape me to refuse, yet plainly enough
half dead with fear. As soon as I saw
his legs dangling, while the seamen
above dragged him Inboard, I drew
myself up to the lower ratline, leaving
the negro alone to hold the line.
‘‘Hey, above there,” I shouted. “What
shall we do with the boat?"
“Let her go; there Is no room to stow
It on deck. Come aboard, Simms.”
We went up together, the ladder
swinging dizzily to our movements.
The voice of the man who seemed to be
In command growled down from the
Poop: ^
“Haul Rt the- ladder, and stow It;
then go f&W*rtTand get some o’ that
riffle overboard afore dark. This wa.v,
captain; I’d like a private word with
yer afore yer go below.”
There were perhaps a dozen men In
view, a typical freighter’s crew, I
Judged, mostly foreign faces, two of
them negroes. They worked silently,
and then shuffled forward, without ex
hibiting the slightest Interest iD toy
presence, or giving a glume aft. Evi
dently something unusual had oc
curred, but* just what was the nature
of the accident to the Indian Chief 1
was unable to decide. I climbed the
few steps, and Joined the red-faced
man waiting me on tbe poop.
“I am very glad to welcome you on
board the Indian Chief, captain—Cap
tain—"
“Hollis,” I answered shortly. “And
your name?”
"Musters—Gldeoi Masters.”
“In command?” ‘
“Well, yes, in a way. I reckoned
you’d want the whole story, an’ thet
things hed better be explained afore
yer went below.”
"Of course; but first a question or
two, Mr. Masters. What has become
of my companions?”
"The lady was sent Into the cabin,
sir, and given a stateroom where she
could fix herself up a bit,” he answered
soberly. ‘The other feller had a heap
of a lot to say, an’ seemed to have
some sorter grudge against you. I
hadn’t any time to listen to his yuru,
so I naturully turned him over to the
bosum, ter have thet eye dressed. He
must have got a peach o’ a swipe, sir.”
“I had to hit him—yes; but we can
talk of that luter. Where is he now?”
“In the galley, sir, where they’re
heating some water. After they get
him fixed up. Is he to go aft, or for
raid?"
".Aft, If you have room to spare; he
is uo sallorman, but a millionaire from
New York; he has money to burn.”
Tbe fellow looked at me with his
mouth wide open, his glistening eyes
almost laughable.
“The devil you say, sir; he don’t look
the part to my notion. You was all
part of a yacht purty?” • - •
“Yes, the Esmeralda, a steam yacht.
Owned by Gerald Carrington of New
York. We were run down about a
hundred miles east of Montauk by a
big liner, which must have been out of
her course. She cut us square In two,
but, exeepting us three, all Uviug on
board got away in the boats. By acci
dent we were left, and escaped later in
the dinghy/’
(Continued Next Week.).