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diff --git a/42934-0.txt b/42934-0.txt index 06b1eed..0bf1a27 100644 --- a/42934-0.txt +++ b/42934-0.txt @@ -1,33 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Polly's Southern Cruise, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Polly's Southern Cruise - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Illustrator: H. S. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Polly's Southern Cruise - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Illustrator: H. S. Barbour - -Release Date: June 13, 2013 [EBook #42934] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - - - -[Illustration: "YOU GET IN THAT SEAT IN DOUBLE QUICK TIME!" SAID POLLY.] - - - - - POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - BY - LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - Author of - POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY AND ELEANOR, - POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD, - POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE - ILLUSTRATED BY - H. S. BARBOUR - NEW YORK - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS - Made in the United States of America - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - - - -CONTENTS - CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS - CHAPTER II--"THEY'RE OFF!" - CHAPTER III--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - CHAPTER IV--THE SECOND DAY OUT - CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH - CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING - CHAPTER VII--THE HAVANA RACE COURSE - CHAPTER VIII--LOST IN KINGSTON - CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA - CHAPTER X--SPORTS AT JAMAICA - CHAPTER XI--MEETING OLD FRIENDS IN PANAMA - CHAPTER XII--THE TALE TOLD BY THE BELGIAN - CHAPTER XIII--HIGH LIFE AT THE CANAL - CHAPTER XIV--IN AND ABOUT PANAMA - - - - -POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS - - -"Well, now, that's settled!" declared Polly Brewster, as she leaned back -in a comfortable arm-chair and scanned her friend who sat hunched over -the papers scattered upon the table. - -"Settled--but only between us. It remains to be seen how our suggestions -will be received by Dalky and Mrs. Courtney," returned Eleanor Maynard, -the young lady just addressed. - -"To tell the truth, Nolla," began Polly in a lowered tone, "I'd much -rather sail the seas with Dalky, in his yacht, than venture in a rented -craft supervised by Mrs. Courtney--even though she is the dearest thing I -ever had for a chaperone!" - -Nolla was the nickname given Eleanor, and Dalky was the pet name -bestowed upon Mr. Dalken by these two girls--his staunch admirers. As yet -they had not discovered an appropriate title to use for their first -customer and intimate friend Mrs. Courtney. - -"Well, Nolla, seeing we've used up carloads of good paper in outlining -this itinerary, and worn out the patience of all the clerks in the -various Tour Offices, let us act upon our last decision: Propose the -plans for our ocean picnic at the general meeting of our friends -to-night." - -"It is such a radical change from the trip suggested by Mrs. Courtney, -and the outlined voyage desired by Dalky, that I fear we'll be vetoed in -the final ballot," ventured Eleanor. - -"They can only say no to us!" exclaimed Polly, getting up from her chair -and gathering in all the now useless sheets of paper which showed where -arduous ideas had been expressed upon their white surfaces. But one -sheet was left safely at the end of the table. This single sheet was -picked up by Eleanor and carefully placed within her script case. The -discarded sheets were torn up and thrown into the waste basket. - -"We may as well go home and try out the plans on the Fabians," said -Polly, after rearranging the desk-table. - -"And see that we look our best for the conquest to-night," laughed -Eleanor, looking about for her hat and coat. - - * * * * * - -Are you acquainted with Polly and Eleanor? If not, you should be. They -are the two friends who were introduced to us several years ago at -Pebbly Pit Ranch. Remember? At our first meeting with them these two -girls were barely past fourteen; but we founded a firm friendship with -them and their immediate companions, at the great Colorado ranch, and -this friendship has lasted all through the interesting, and many times -thrilling, adventures these girls experienced. To you, who have been -denied this friendship, we will introduce our girls. - -Polly Brewster, born and reared on her home ranch in the Rockies of -Colorado, first met and established a friendship with Eleanor Maynard of -Chicago, when Eleanor, attended by her elder sister Barbara and Anne -Stewart, spent the summer with the Brewsters at Pebbly Pit Ranch. During -that visit the girls, while on a mountain ride, discovered the vein of -gold which later developed such amazing phases of interest and trouble -for all concerned in its products. - -The summer ending, the two young girls, now firm friends, won the -consent of their parents to allow them to accompany Anne Stewart to New -York City, where Anne was engaged to teach a very high-grade, young -ladies' school. Polly and Eleanor planned to enter this school, and take -up interior decorating as an extra study. - -Having been admitted to a course at Cooper Union Night Classes, the two -girl friends found Mr. Fabian, the lecturer, a most valuable friend. -Through Mr. Fabian the girls were enabled to attend many private -exhibitions of art goods and antiques, also to go to lectures, visit -gatherings where interior decorating was the subject of discussion, and -in other ways reap the benefit of the many years' experience of this -gentleman. - -During their school years in New York Polly and Eleanor became -acquainted with a staunch friend, a Mr. Dalken; and met and became -intimate friends with the Ashbys--the Ashby of the famous Ashby Shops on -Fifth Avenue, where one may find any rare or antique object known to -home-makers or decorators. - -Through the acquaintances thus formed the two girls were invited to join -the touring party about to start for Europe the year that Polly and -Eleanor finished their schooling. After a summer abroad visiting -interesting places and seeing all that was worth viewing, the group of -Americans returned home. - -That fall the two girls decided to enter business in an humble way. They -secured desk-room in Mr. Ashby's business house and ventured forth to -find and purchase antiques, in order to sell them again at a reasonable -profit. The amusing incidents experienced while in search of odd and old -objects constitute several chapters of the book called "Polly's Business -Venture." At the ending of that book the reader is introduced to Mrs. -Courtney, who interested herself in the two young business girls and -eventually invited them to accompany her on a cruise to the Southern -Seas. Before any plan could be perfected, however, Mr. Dalken hinted at -his plan to go on an extended yachting cruise to the Orient. Naturally, -he wished a party of his old friends to accompany him; and Polly and -Eleanor considered themselves part of that group. - -Thus it happened that about the time the present story opens Polly and -Eleanor had been planning various itineraries to place before their -friends--Mr. Dalken and Mrs. Courtney. It mattered not so much to the -girls whether they sailed to the Orient as the guests of Mr. Dalken, or -went on a long cruise to the South Sea Islands with Mrs. Courtney, as -long as they _went_ somewhere! From this state of mind the reader can -gather that the Wanderlust had implanted its germ in the consciousness -of each of these girls. - -Having gathered their papers together the girls left the pretty private -office where they were supposed to attend to their business affairs, and -started homeward to the Fabian's domicile where they lived. It was too -late, upon their arrival at the house, to discuss the tour with either -Mr. or Mrs. Fabian, hence they went directly to their rooms and dressed -as becomingly as possible, knowing, as they well did, that appearances -play an important part in any business, be it pleasure, financial, -political or just simple family matters. - -Just as Polly had added a huge velvet rose to the girdle of the Parisian -dress she had chosen to wear, Nancy Fabian called from the hallway: - -"Girls! Are you almost ready? Daddy has been cooling his impatience in -the library for the last ten minutes; and mother and I are ready to go -down." - -"Coming, Nan!" called Polly in answer. "Find out if Nolla is ready, -please." - -"I'm here--no need to call me," laughed Eleanor, coming from her room as -she spoke. - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Nancy Fabian. "Why all the fine feathers on our -bird, Nolla?" - -Mrs. Fabian and Nancy looked at Eleanor's handsome dinner dress with -admiration, and Eleanor laughed as she replied to Nancy's query: - -"As long as this bird has no wish to be plucked at the argument that is -certain to be started on the subject of the sea-trip, she donned her -finest feathers to help her win out with Dalky." - -At this moment Polly appeared at her room door. She, too, caused Nancy -to catch her breath. "Goodness me! I didn't stop to floss up as if we -were going to a Court Reception! Why didn't you girls tell me you were -going to put on your best?" - -"Nancy, dear, don't worry," was Polly's consoling reply. "You haven't -the diplomatic work cut out for yourself that Nolla and I have. We have -to win Dalky over to a very important agreement to-night, hence these -fine togs!" - -Mrs. Fabian had been descending the stairs, but she heard what had just -been said and she laughed lightly. Soon all four had reached the front -hall where Mr. Fabian paced the floor. - -"My dear girls! You know how I dislike being late to a host's dinner -party! Here it is ten minutes past the time we were to present ourselves -at Dalky's apartment." As he spoke Mr. Fabian took his watch from his -pocket and displayed its face to the tardy young ladies. But they never -stopped to glance at it. - -"Daddy, dear, stop scolding, and hurry out to the car," said Nancy, -giving her father a loving push towards the front door. - -"There's one consolation in knowing we won't be the last guests at -Dalky's dinner to-night," remarked Eleanor, as they settled themselves -in the limousine which Mr. Dalken had sent for their use that evening. - -"Why--what do you mean?" asked Mrs. Fabian, wonderingly. - -"Mrs. Courtney! She'll be ten minutes later than this unit," replied -Eleanor. - -"How do you know that?" asked Nancy. - -"Just before we left the office she called us on the telephone to ask if -we had decided upon a plan for our cruise, and we replied that we had it -all outlined. Then she told us she might be detained downtown where she -was then, and that we were to tell Mr. Dalken not to wait dinner for -her. She would come in as soon as she could, but even at that she might -be half an hour after the time he mentioned in his note to her." - -As Mr. Dalken's bachelor apartment was but a short drive from the -Fabian's residence, the chauffeur soon stopped before the door and the -girls prepared to get out. A few minutes later they were being welcomed -by their smiling host. Then he scolded. - -"Late as usual! Not that I would include Mr. Fabian in that rebuke, -because a man is _never_ late--especially when it is a dinner. But the -ladies! Ah me! So many valuable hours wasted before a mirror, and who -for--tell me that! For a number of old fogies like Ashby, Fabian and -myself." - -But the ladies laughed his scolding to silence. They knew their host! He -was the pink of neatness himself, and he always noticed the gowns and -general appearances of his lady guests. - -"Who's coming to-night, Dalky?" asked Polly, not waiting to answer his -rebuke about being late. - -"Oh, the Ashbys are already here; then there will be Mrs. Courtney, who -will be late, of course, and my daughter Elizabeth. She ought to have -been here before this." - -As he spoke he threw open the door of the guestroom and ushered his -friends in; but taking Mr. Fabian by the arm to show him into his own -suite of rooms. - -As soon as the door of the guestroom was closed Polly glanced at her -three companions who were silently exchanging looks with each other. -Then Eleanor whispered her opinion: - -"Elizabeth! Of all the world she is the last I should have expected here -to-night. I just know her mother sent her to pry into Dalky's plans for -this cruise. Naturally, such a woman would have heard about her -ex-husband's plans for the next few months." - -Polly frowned at this declaration, but Mrs. Fabian, always anxious to -give a person the benefit of a doubt, remarked kindly: "We must remember -that Elizabeth is her father's only child. Perhaps she is dining here -this evening by accident--not by planning." - -But Eleanor flared up in defence of her friend Dalky. "If you knew that -girl as well as Polly and I understand her from school days, you'd not -take this generous view of her and her mother's schemes. I only hope -Dalky hasn't any idea of inviting her to go with us on his yachting -cruise. She'd just spoil all the fun for me!" - -"With Elizabeth present at the table I'd feel embarrassed in speaking of -our plan, Nolla; or of saying a word about any cruise," added Polly, -seriously. - -"Yes, that's just it: Elizabeth is a kill-joy for every one wherever she -goes," was Eleanor's angry retort. - -"Well, girls, let us not excite ourselves before we know why Elizabeth -is present to-night. Plenty of time to talk over her lack of amiability -when we discover she will be a member of Dalky's party," advised Mrs. -Fabian, moving towards the door of the dressing room. - -As she opened it the four friends who were ready to leave fell back -because the object of their criticism stood upon the threshold. - -"Oh, dear!" cried the girl with a pretty pretence of feeling surprise, -as she quickly placed her hands over her heart. "I was told to leave my -wraps in Daddy's guestroom, but I was not aware that it was occupied. -I'm sorry if I startled you as I have been." - -Elizabeth Dalken was the fashionable product of New York's ultra -society--at least she and her mother liked to believe they were embraced -upon that clannish upper-plane. But it is doubtful if one of the Four -Hundred even dreamed of there being such aspirants to recognition. - -The girl was very pretty, in an appealing ingenue way, her type being of -the clinging order. Her features were regular enough, but lacked all -signs of confidence or character. Her hair was beautiful, being of the -wavy, fluffy, gold shade of blonde. Were it not for her stylish apparel, -and the lines produced by the highest-priced tailor and mantua-maker in -the country, Elizabeth's figure might have been termed awkward, and her -natural carriage ungainly. But style hides a multitude of short-comings! - -The Fabians, as well as Polly and Eleanor, were acquainted with -Elizabeth Dalken, so, after a few words of greeting, they left the room -to the new guest. Needless to add that Elizabeth found it necessary to -remain in the room for four times the length of time the other four -guests had occupied it. But they had not felt the need of touching up -their lips, or relining their brows with a pencil, nor, indeed, to add a -rosy hue to their healthy complexions. Elizabeth was about to send a -last glance at the long mirror to see that her gown was faultless, when -the bell summoned Mr. Dalken to his entrance door. This time the new -comer called forth a chorus of merry welcomes from the group of guests -in the living room, the archway of which offered a good view of the -front door and the reception hall. - -"Welcome, Mrs. Courtney! Glad you found it possible to get here before -dinner is announced," said Mr. Dalken, smiling upon his guest. - -"Oh! I am glad, too! I thought you would be through the first course, as -it is really half an hour past the time you said," remarked Mrs. -Courtney, releasing her small gloved hand from the unconscious hold of -her host's warm clasp. He had been appraising her beauty and appearance -and forgot he held her hand. - -"Come to the guestroom, Mrs. Courtney. My little girl Elizabeth is still -there, and she will be delighted to meet you and render any little -service you may need. You see, a confirmed bachelor as I am, fails to -provide a maid or other necessities for ladies when they deign to dine -at his rooms." As he spoke, Mr. Dalken ushered Mrs. Courtney to the -guestroom door. Then he paused and knocked upon the panel. - -Elizabeth threw the door open, appearing as a radiant vision to her -father, who said: "Ah, Tots! Here is a friend of mine. In the absence of -a maid, I know you will be happy to assist in any way. Mrs. Courtney, my -daughter Elizabeth; Totty, Mrs. Courtney." - -Without waiting to see if this meeting proved to be harmonious, Mr. -Dalken closed the door upon Mrs. Courtney, and hurried to his valet-cook -to say that the last guest expected had just arrived. Karl nodded his -head silently, and proceeded to instruct the Japanese servant to turn up -the lights in the diningroom. - -At the closing of the guestroom door Elizabeth turned and purred sweetly -upon the lady to whom she had just been introduced. She seemed -over-eager to assist in removing the handsome evening wrap, and she -stood hovering near while Mrs. Courtney stood before the dressing mirror -to arrange her crushed hair. The girl babbled of many things, but with -all her babbling she never lost sight of one detail of the lady's -costume and make-up, and of the possible valuation of the magnificent -diamonds and pearls which adorned her person. The jewelry caused pangs -of envy in Elizabeth's soul, for she was mad over jewels. - -Out in the living-room, the waiting guests amused themselves. - -"Before we prepare any further arguments to win our case before the -tribunal of the higher authorities, we'd better sit back and watch -whether this will be a proper evening to throw the bomb," remarked -Polly, dryly, to her chum Eleanor. - -"But this is the reason we are all assembled at dinner to-night!" -exclaimed Eleanor, impatiently. "Dalky wants to get away from New York -without further delay, you know." - -"Well, I don't know! Only do be circumspect, Nolla, in the presence of -Elizabeth. We know her, and we do not know what she might say or do to -make trouble for our dear Dalky, if she once finds that he plans to take -us all on a long cruise." - -"She can't say or make any trouble for him, that I can see!" retorted -Eleanor. "That woman got her divorce, all right, and is married hard and -fast to that awful suitor, so what other trouble can be started after -that?" - -Polly did not reply, but she shook her head sympathetically. The -sympathy, Eleanor understood, was all for "Poor Dalky!" - -Mrs. Courtney and Elizabeth now came from the guest-room, Elizabeth -smiling sweetly, and Mrs. Courtney with her well-set head held a trifle -higher than was her wont, and with two bright spots of crimson touching -her cheeks with the hue of restrained blood which must be dancing in her -veins. Her eyes, when she looked at Polly, were shooting sparks, but -these soon disappeared after she shook hands with her friends who were -glad to see her. - -"See that!" whispered Eleanor quickly to Polly. "That sweet little wasp -has stung Mrs. Courtney with something she has said, or hinted at!" - -"So it seems. I wish I knew what to do," mused Polly. - -"Just wait and keep your eyes and ears wide open. We'll catch Elizabeth -in any little plot she or her mother may have planned," declared -Eleanor. - -At this moment the Japanese attendant came to the door and announced -dinner. The friendly party, being so informal, grouped itself about Mr. -Dalken and all moved slowly towards the dining-room--all but Elizabeth -Dalken. While all her companions walked from the living-room to the -diningroom, listening to her father's account of a wonderful catch of -fish in the Maine streams, she had managed to get away unseen and enter -the guestroom. Behind the closed door of the room she found what she had -planned to secure. Information. - -Mr. Dalken designated their seats to his friends, and turning to Mrs. -Courtney said, politely: "As you are a guest in my home for the first -time I have assigned the seat of honor to you--at my right. Of course, I -had to beg permission of Polly and Nolla before daring to trespass upon -their rights,--they generally fight for this place." - -Polly smiled and tossed her head, but Eleanor vehemently denied any such -weakness, while the adults in the party laughed at their host's teasing -ways. Mr. Dalken, meantime, had been searching for his daughter -Elizabeth. She was not to be seen. - -"Why! This is strange; did not Elizabeth come to the diningroom just -now?" asked he in amazement of his guests. - -The guests looked from one to another in surprise. They all believed the -girl to have been present with them. Before Mr. Dalken had time to send -the servant to find the missing daughter, however, she ran from the -dressingroom and hurried to the diningroom. - -"Pardon my absence, Daddy," was her call before he had time to ask what -was wrong. "I just _had_ to dab my nose a bit, you know." She laughed -lightly as though it would be understood how important a deed was the -powdering of a nose. - -Mr. Dalken patted the fluffy yellow head as Elizabeth slid into her -chair. Then the servant was signalled to serve. Polly prodded Eleanor, -who sat next her at the table, with her foot under cover of the long -damask cloth. And Eleanor glanced at her friend to see what she meant to -convey to her. - -In a very low voice Polly said: "Don't you say a word, hear me, Nolla? -Wait till we know what Elizabeth wants to know." - -Eleanor winked knowingly. At the same time Mr. Dalken tossed the -conversational ball into the arena for all to catch. - -"Friends and fellow-countrymen," began he, clearing his throat -impressively, "we are assembled together this evening in order that the -important event of taking a trip around the world may be duly discussed. -After the arguments for and against the cruise in my yacht are heard, -the chairman--that is myself--will allow two minutes to the argument for -or against the acceptance of Mrs. Courtney's offer to sail to the South -Seas in her craft. The meeting is now open for all members of this -party." - -Mr. Dalken then rubbed his hands vigorously as if to say he was washing -them of all trouble henceforth. If the members in the party came to -blows over their debate it would be nothing to him! His guests, -understanding his action, laughed at him and bade him sit down. - -"At least, Mr. Chairman, you might tell us the names of the speakers we -are supposed to hear from this evening," laughed Mr. Fabian. - -"The first speaker to be heard from this evening, is our capable -globe-trotter Mr. Fabian," retorted Mr. Dalken without hesitation. A -laugh greeted this introduction, but the servant was placing the first -course before the hungry guests and it was silently agreed to give the -first attention to the most important matter of food. - -During the next three courses there were many suggestions, and merry -arguments from the friends about that board, but Elizabeth Dalken, never -missing a word or look of those who were concerned in the cruise -planned, kept silence. She felt that she could work better and safer by -getting the viewpoints of others and not showing her cards. - -With the fourth course, however, Mr. Dalken seemed to feel certain of -his own cruise being the accepted one. He turned to gloat politely over -Mrs. Courtney's defeat, when Mr. Ashby spoke. - -"The only reason I feel inclined to vote for the Orient in Dalken's -yacht, is a selfish one: I would like immensely to be one of the party -on this merry voyage, but I would not dare go on board a yacht that is -destined for the South Seas. I would have no jumping-off place, in order -to get me back to New York for the busy season. Now, should you all -choose Dalky's plan to go to Japan, I can remain with you until we reach -Hawaii, there I can catch a fast steamship back to San Francisco, thence -speed home to New York. Them's my sentiments, fren's!" concluded Mr. -Ashby. - -By the time the salad was served every one but Polly, Eleanor and -Elizabeth had been drawn into the discussion. It took great self-control -for the two girl-partners to keep silence in this vital and interesting -debate. - -Finally, Mr. Dalken turned to Eleanor and said: "In all my experience, -this is the first time I have not heard Nolla have a say after every -other orator. Either she has nothing _to_ say, or she is waiting to drop -a bomb upon our heads when we have said all we know." - -Eleanor laughed. "That's just it! When you all are through I'll say my -little piece, and I'm sure it will take away your breath." - -The friends laughed, for they understood Eleanor and liked to urge her -to discuss her egotistical opinions--often they were well worth hearing, -too. Polly could not help sending Elizabeth a glance. The girl kept her -eyes fixed upon her plate, defying Polly's scrutiny. - -Mr. Dalken held up a hand as he commanded: "Silence in this Court. Our -wise Judge will now render an opinion!" - -Eleanor instantly took up his line of chaff, and, midst the laughter, -bowing politely, said in a dignified manner: "I thank you, Mr. Sheriff. -As the Honorable Judge of this trial at Court I wish to give my opinion, -and possibly a verdict. Has the prisoner at the bar anything more to say -in behalf of her plan to sail the South Seas?" - -A condescending bow to Mrs. Courtney told those at the table that she -must be the prisoner who committed the crime of planning an impossible -voyage. Mrs. Courtney smiled and shook her head to signify she had had -her say. - -"Ahem!" began Eleanor; then remembering that Polly had the papers upon -which they had outlined the cruise as they wished to have it, she turned -and bowed in her direction. "Will the Counsel for the State kindly read -the evidence in the case under argument?" - -Polly laughed, but Mr. Dalken said: "What a pity I missed having such a -wise judge at court in the days when I tried my cases. I am sure I might -have won every case I argued." - -This brought forth a general laugh at Eleanor's expense but little cared -she, because she had an axe to grind and such an insignificant matter as -a laugh cost her nothing. - -Polly now opened the typewritten page she had taken from the girdle of -her gown and glanced at the opening words. Then she explained: "This is -a plan worked out by Nolla and myself. Before I mention the very good -reasons for choosing this plan, I wish to outline the plan itself. Then -Nolla will say why we selected this cruise, and tell you the points in -favor of choosing it." - -Polly now read: "We decide upon Dalky's yacht, because it is cheaper -than leasing a craft; it is more luxurious than any hired boat could -ever be; it is claimed to be absolutely safe to sail the most dangerous -seas; and, best of all, Dalky is our sworn ally and gives Nolla and me -our own way in almost everything. That's that!" - -The reasons for taking Mr. Dalken's yacht caused a hearty laugh at his -expense; but Polly continued reading without a pause, and the laugh was -hushed soon in order that the audience might not lose one word of her -plans. - -"We agree with Dalky in choosing a voyage which will take us to the West -Indies where we can visit many interesting points generally visited by -other tourists; we also agree with him that a trip through the Panama -Canal will be not only most instructive to us all but it will also prove -to be a short cut for my plan of the continued cruise. Thus far,--that is -until we reach the Pacific Ocean--we have agreed to follow Dalky's -outline of the trip. - -"But once having reached the Pacific, we begin to see a fascination in -sailing south--not to the Cannibal Islands, but southward as far as Peru. -To those who have never visited Peru it might be told, that here is a -sight worth seeing: the famous land that gave birth to the tubers known -to us as potatoes; also the land of the Incas." - -Polly interrupted herself at this point to say: "Friends, you may -_think_ I copied all this from the travelogue issued by the South -American Steamship Line, but I assure you I did _not_! The circular -given the public by that steamship company never mentions the fact that -Peru was the motherland that first produced the potato to the world at -the time when Pizarro found himself ship-wrecked upon its shores. Hence -this is original information discovered by Nolla and myself at the time -of the War Famine of potatoes in this country." Then Polly turned her -attention to the reading of the paper. - -"Well, having visited all the novel places to be seen in Peru, and -having eaten our fill of Peruvian Bark, we resume our cruise and next -stop at Valparaiso. At this point Dalky orders his Captain to take the -yacht around Cape Horn, then northwards to Buenos Aires, where he might -dock and wait for us to join him. We will take the Trans-Andean trip -across the continental divide and thus reach Argentina. As an inducement -to Dalky to agree with us to take this trip, we can offer him many fine -investments at Buenos Aires--investments which promise the financier a -return of a thousand per cent in six months' time. It's so, because I -read it in a column of a South American newspaper!" - -Mr. Dalken was well known to be a daring gambler in the stock market, -hence this thrust caused his guests to laugh heartily at his weakness. -But Elizabeth frowned at what she termed insolence on the part of Polly. - -Mr. Dalken now interpolated: "From Buenos Aires we will sail to Rio de -Janeiro, and remain there to visit the great Fair. Having spent five -years' allowance in seeing the buildings and going to all the bazaars at -the Fair, we return to the yacht too bankrupt to tip the natives who -crowd about us for pennies." - -"No, no, Dalky! There you are wrong. With Nolla and me to act as bankers -there will be no danger of bankruptcy," laughed Polly. - -"All right then! As long as you agree to keep us out of bankruptcy in -order that we may safely return to New York," retorted Mr. Dalken. - -"What was your next point of interest on the route?" - -"Well, after doing the Fair we decided to coast along the shores of -Brazil and eventually touch at Guiana, then continue to the Barbados. -Thence back to little old New York!" - -The guests, and Mr. Dalken as well, listened with intense interest to -such a cruise, and finally, having discussed the plan from every point -of view, it was unanimously agreed that such a voyage would offer the -most interesting sights, and prove to be admirable in every other way. -Those who wished to remain on the yacht for a short time only, could -leave the tourists at Havana, Panama, or any other port where steamships -are constantly sailing to New York. Those who found it impossible to -leave New York as soon as the party wished to sail, could reach Havana -or Panama by rail and board the yacht at the time it touched at those -ports. Thus it was decided that Polly and Eleanor's plan had been the -best yet offered. - -The evening had been well spent, thought Polly and Eleanor, when it was -all but agreed upon that the South American cruise should be the one -chosen for the Dalken party. But Elizabeth Dalken had kept absolutely -silent during the discussion of the trip. Finally, her father turned and -smiled upon her, and said: "Well, little girl! Do you thrill at such a -wonderful voyage?" - -Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders in the French way she had acquired from -her mother, and remarked in a colorless tone: "It will prove to be such -a bore at the Fair in Rio--this mixing with common people from all over -the world! I hear the railroads and the majority of southern steamship -lines are offering cheap excursions there and back to induce -trades-people to take the trip. I would rather take a trip to Japan and -leave South America to such a time as the common folk need not be met." - -Mr. Dalken flushed painfully. He was a genuine democrat in everything -but politics, hence this attitude of his daughter's, an attitude -fostered by her society mother, hurt his feelings. However, the friends -gathered with him that evening, understood perfectly why Elizabeth -rendered such poor judgment, and they quickly consoled their host for -the humiliation he had endured. - -"Dalky, it is your privilege to decide as you please for this cruise. As -invited guests we accept, without a word of condemnation or -dissatisfaction, whatever you do. We firmly believe that your society -and the wonderful offer of taking us with you on the cruise, no matter -where it be, will reward us for any personal or selfish desire to sail -elsewhere." Thus said Mr. Ashby, the best and closest friend of Mr. -Dalken. - -Mr. Fabian added instantly: "And the association with such a man as we -know you to be, Dalken, will soon wear away any sense of being thrown -with common folk, even though we meet a few samples of ordinary -tradesmen while in Rio de Janeiro. We have to suffer them in New York, -more than at any other place in the world, you know. I doubt if they -will cause us to regret this cruise." As Mr. Fabian included Elizabeth -in this speech to her father, it was manifest to all present that it was -meant for a mild rebuke to her arrogance. - -"Well, we will mull over the plan and render our verdict at an early -day," remarked Mr. Dalken, hoping to placate his daughter and win her -approval for the cruise, but Elizabeth refused to be pleased, and -announced with impatience: "I must be going home, now, Daddy. I promised -Mother that I'd leave here before ten." - -Without another word, she crossed the living room and hurried to the -guest-room for her wraps. Her father followed with an uncertain mien. -Polly instantly jumped up and followed after Elizabeth. As she passed -the host she remarked: "I'll attend to Elizabeth, Dalky." - -But the girl refused to accept any attention from Polly, and soon after -she had donned her hat and wrap she came forth and said good-night to -the assembled guests. Mr. Dalken accompanied her to the elevator, mildly -persuading her to change her mind. The lift arrived at the door, and -Elizabeth pecked at her father's chin, then left as if she had never -heard one word of his persuasion. - -Eleanor leaned close to Polly's ear and murmured: "From all forecasts -from the weather bureau, I should judge that we are in for nasty weather -on this cruise; I am surprised that Dalky could be so short-sighted as -this." - -And Polly replied in the same subdued tone: "It looks most suspicious to -me, Nolla. Perhaps that mother of Elizabeth's heard of a certain -handsome woman whom I might mention, and fears, should Dalky marry -again, that Elizabeth might not get her father's fortune. You know how -tender hearted is Dalky where anything concerns his daughter. If she -asked him to take her to the North Pole he would try and obey her wish." - -"Then you believe that she got Dalky to invite her on this cruise?" -wondered Eleanor. - -"From all I heard and saw to-night, I certainly do! I think Dalky was -pleased that she wished to go with him, and agreed instantly without -stopping to think how such an addition might give the entire party the -odd member who opposes whatever is suggested for the mutual enjoyment of -all." - -"I believe you are right, Polly," said Eleanor. "And if it turns out -that Elizabeth Dalken becomes a member of our cruising party, it will -behoove us to protect Mrs. Courtney from her thrusts, and spare her as -many bites from the sharp tongue which we know Elizabeth wags as is -possible for us to do." - -With Elizabeth gone the others in the group gathered at Mr. Dalken's -apartment felt freer to talk over plans and propositions for the -yachting trip the host so magnanimously offered. Before they said -good-night and departed from Mr. Dalken's that evening, it was agreed to -try out the plan presented by Polly and Eleanor. Should they find it -disagreeable, by the time they reached Panama, they could continue the -cruise to Japan from that point. - - - - -CHAPTER II--"THEY'RE OFF!" - - -The result of that evening's discussion at Mr. Dalken's apartment was -soon revealed to those interested in the cruise. After certain sundry -meetings at different places such as Ashby's Shop where the friends -grouped in Polly's office, at Fabian's dinner table, and at Mrs. Ashby's -home of an evening, it was decided that the trip outlined by Polly and -Eleanor at Mr. Dalken's dinner party was the most alluring of any. Hence -it was agreed to follow their plan. - -Once it was decided to cruise to South America the next question to -decide was when to start. Unanimously it was agreed to start the -following week. The yacht needed no overhauling as it was always kept in -perfect order to sail at a few hours' notice. Mr. Dalken seemed anxious -to get away from the City, saying his doctor ordered him to go without -delay, and the girls were more than anxious to get away. - -The days following the sudden decision to start in a week's time, were -filled with hurrying, scurrying females of the party, especially -Elizabeth Dalken. She shopped as if she expected to visit an Emperor and -attend Court instead of going on board her father's private Yacht for a -pleasure trip to South America. - -Everybody felt it necessary to advise everybody else about what to take -and what not to take. It seemed to Polly that the days fairly _crept_ -by, instead of galloping past as they had been wont to do in the last -three years. But everything comes to an end--even long, tedious waiting -for a certain day to arrive. And then the day came--a day of unusual -sunshine and balmy breezes: a perfect day for a sea voyage to begin. - -To the two eager girls who waved last goodbys to the maids at the Fabian -home it seemed that there never had been such a crowded week of work as -the one just finished. As the auto started to the Yacht Club wharf, even -Mr. Fabian, usually so peaceful and quiet, sighed as if he, too, felt -thankful that the rush and confusion was over. - -"Goodness me! Look at the crowd waiting on the dock to see us off!" -cried Polly, looking from the window of the car. - -Eleanor looked and exclaimed at the unexpected number of groups, whereas -it had been expected that only a few of the young men would be present -to bid the girls goodby. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby and Ruth, Mrs. Courtney and -Elizabeth Dalken expected to be on board the yacht; and Eleanor -Maynard's father from Chicago had wired that he would wait at -Jacksonville, Florida, for them to pick him up, as he had found it -impossible to leave his banking affairs in time to start with them from -New York. Polly's father and mother were at Pebbly Pit and they wired -their regrets that they could not join the merry mariners, but John and -Anne expected to arrive in New York in time to say goodby to the party. -Then where could these many people have come from? It was soon -explained. - -As the Fabian car came up close to the Dalken yacht, Mr. Fabian leaned -out of the open window to try and see if he recognized the number of -friends who had come to wish them _bon voyage._ When he drew back into -the automobile he was smiling. The girls had no time to ask him the -cause of his amusement, because the chauffeur stopped the car and -immediately, a number of handsome young men crowded close to the door -and began showering questions upon the youthful occupants. - -Then Polly got out and looked around, fully expecting to find her father -and mother waiting to surprise her at her sailing away for the adventure -to Southern Seas. But the girls were doomed to a fall in their -vanity--thinking all these persons on the dock were assembled to bid them -goodby! To their chagrin they saw that the majority of merry-makers were -there to see another family of friends off! not one of them had the -slightest acquaintance with Mr. Dalken's party. - -In the group eagerly waiting for the last arrivals--the unit composed of -Mr. and Mrs. Fabian and Nancy, Polly and Eleanor,--were to be seen our -old friends Mr. and Mrs. Latimer and Tom. Tom had come all the way from -the mine at Pebbly Pit in order to see Polly, and hold her hand just -once before having her go so far away. There, too, were Dr. and Mrs. -Evans and Kenneth; John Baxter and Mrs. Courtney. Evidently the owner of -the yacht and his daughter Elizabeth were already on board, as a shout, -to attract Polly's attention to the beautiful craft, came from a number -of young persons who were talking in the prow of the yacht. - -"Look, Nolla! Isn't that Paul Stewart and Pete Maynard up there with -Elizabeth Dalken?" whispered Polly hurriedly, as she tried to see who -were the individual members in the group. - -"Well! If that doesn't beat all! Come on, Poll--let's run in and shake -hands. I haven't had a word with Paul for so long that my tongue cleaves -to the roof of my mouth." And Eleanor ran. - -Polly was forcibly detained at the moment she started to follow Eleanor. -Tom Latimer had caught hold of her coat sleeve and was saying: "Aren't -you going to wait here to see John and Anne when they arrive?" - -"Oh! Aren't we all going on board? Why not visit with John and Anne, and -all the rest of you, while on the yacht?" asked Polly. - -Tom always became humble when in Polly's presence, and this occasion was -no exception to the rule. He meekly followed at Polly's heels as she led -the way up the steps of the wharf to the gangplank. In another moment -Polly was surrounded by her young friends and dragged to the luxurious -lounging room on the deck, where wicker chairs and tables and divans -invited one to sit and enjoy life. - -A few moments after seating herself in one of the wide-armed -chairs--chosen in order to compel Tom to select another chair and not try -to squeeze close to her side as he would have done had she seated -herself on the divan--Polly saw Mr. Dalken hurrying to join the group of -young friends. - -"Oh, Polly! I had a 'phone message from John--he says Anne and he just -got in at Grand Central and would hurry here in a taxi. He must be -almost here by this time, I judge, so you keep on the look-out for them, -will you? I have so many other things to attend to," was Mr. Dalken's -request. - -"All right, Dalky! Go on and do your duty, but don't kill yourself -working for others--as you always do," laughed Polly, waving a hand at -him. - -"There, Polly! Now you'd better come with me and stand at the rail to -watch for your brother and Anne," advised Tom, anxiously. - -"Yes? and have you stand there and talk nonsense to me, eh," laughed -Polly, softly, in order that others might not hear. - -Tom bit his lip. Polly knew she was uncharitable, but she rebelled at -Tom's constant tagging her when she wanted to enjoy the company of other -friends, too, and she generally spoke impulsively and regretted it -later. - -At this crisis between the two conditional lovers, Eleanor unconsciously -played the good fairy by drawing Polly's attention to a little side-play -between Elizabeth and Pete Maynard. They had quietly withdrawn from the -group of young people and were now enjoying a tte--tte back of the -funnel which acted as a partial screen for them. - -"I just wanted to say that Elizabeth's mother has trained her carefully -to encourage only such young men as can show an attractive bank-roll. -Totty never deigned to notice Ken and Paul, but quickly attached herself -to Pete. Well, Pete is playing the same game as Elizabeth's mother -plays, and Dad knows too much to let Pete use _his_ money for fortune -hunters!" was Eleanor's sarcastic remark. - -"But you must remember, Nolla, Totty isn't what one might call a -fortune-hunter, any more than Pete is. Mr. Dalken has no other heir to -his wealth, and some day Elizabeth will have more than she can use," -remonstrated Polly. - -"Pooh! Mr. Dalken is a handsome youngish man, Polly, and our Mrs. -Courtney is a fascinating, lonely youngish woman--there!" - -At such frank match-making between the two girls, Tom Latimer gasped. -The girls laughed at his shocked expression, and Eleanor added in a -whisper: "Tom, old dear, why do you think Elizabeth's mother sent her on -this cruise with the father who is so heartily detested by the social -moth, and has been completely ignored for years?" - -"W-e-ell," stammered Tom, innocently, "I'm sure I don't know. Now that -you mention it, I think I can see a little light." - -Eleanor laughed as she patted Tom on the back. "That's a good boy! Go to -the head of the class!" - -Just as a taxi drove recklessly up to the wharf, the whistle on the -yacht blew a terrific blast. Every one glanced apprehensively at the -pilot house to see what this meant. Surely the Captain had no intentions -of leaving then and there! Mr. Dalken was seen to hurry to the Captain's -room to inquire into the unexpected signal. - -John and Anne hurried on board and were soon surrounded by welcoming -friends, Polly the center of the group. All concern over the whistle was -forgotten in the gossip about the gold mine and all the doings at Pebbly -Pit Ranch. Anne had many packages to deliver to Polly from her mother, -and John had advices galore from her father. - -At a second warning call from the ear-splitting siren Mr. Dalken came -hurrying from the Captain's room. His face expressed impatience as he -joined his friends. They paused in their noisy conversation to hear what -he wished to say. - -"Captain Blake tells me that the pilot he has on board to take us out as -far as Sandy Hook declares he will leave this boat unless he can get -started at once. He avers that he is losing the tide, as well as other -jobs he signed up for. If he leaves us that means we will have to delay -our start until to-morrow," explained Mr. Dalken. - -"Oh, no, no!" sounded from several young throats, as their owners -crowded about Mr. Dalken to give good reasons why they should start at -once. - -"But we just got here!" cried John in a disappointed tone. - -"That's your loss--you ought to collect damages from the Twentieth -Century Limited," retorted Eleanor. - -"Oh, if only John and Anne would remain on board with us and go as far -as Jacksonville, where we expect to touch to pick up Nolla's father!" -exclaimed Polly, eagerly. - -"Say, John, that's a capital idea! Why not do it?" asked Mr. Dalken, -quickly. - -"What of my baggage at the Grand Central--and the rooms we wired to hold -for us from today?" queried John. - -"I'll see to the trunk, John, and one of the others will cancel the -reservation at the hotel," offered Kenneth Evans. - -During the eager talk occasioned by Polly's suggestion, Tom Latimer -seemed very thoughtful. When it was finally decided that John and his -wife would remain as Mr. Dalken's guests as far as Florida, Tom -deliberately spoke up! "I'll reconsider my refusal to be one of your -party as far as Jacksonville, Mr. Dalken. John and I have so many -important business matters to discuss at once, that this short voyage -will give us the opportunity we need." - -Polly looked amazed, and a general smile rippled the faces of all the -others present. They knew only too well what Tom's important business -matters consisted of. - -"That's too bad of you, Tom," exclaimed Polly, daringly. "I had hoped to -have a few words with my brother myself; now that all your time will be -engaged in business affairs I shall have to attach my company to another -champion until we reach Florida." - -Tom sulked at these words and a number of the friends in the group -laughed outright. But the sudden shrill blast overhead summarily -disposed of such trifles as a lover's scene. "There!" declared Mr. -Dalken. "That's the last call he'll give us, he said. If we don't obey -his orders he'll leave at once." - -This rude manner of sending his guests away seemed to hurt Mr. Dalken's -gentle heart, but his friends laughed at his concern. - -Midst shouts of goodbys and many advices to the would-be mariners, the -visiting party hurried from the yacht, leaving Tom and John and Anne on -deck with those remaining for the cruise. - -Just as the friends on shore hoped to see the sailor cast off the rope -which had been looped about the heavy post on the wharf, a frenzied cry -from a young man seen to be racing like mad down the walk to the dock, -drew all attention that way. Even the Captain watched the sprinter to -see what might be wrong at the last minute. - -It turned out to be Jim Latimer laden with boxes of bon bons and -flowers. He had sent Ken on ahead to tell the girls he was hunting in -the locality for proper little memos of his faithful love for them all, -but Kenneth had forgotten to mention it. - -"Heigh, there!" shouted Jim, furiously, to the man he saw grinning from -the pilot house, "don't you start until I get on with these presents!" - -Jim's father tried to prevent his son from springing on board the yacht -where all hands were hastening to cast off, but Jim had not become an -expert football player on Yale's team for nothing. - -In a few giant leaps he was on board and in a few more strides he joined -the young people. Naturally the young contingent congratulated him upon -arriving just in time, and the elders laughed tolerantly. - -"Think I was going to chase all over the West Side for decent candies -and flowers and then get left at the last moment?" demanded Jim, mopping -his perspiring face with his handkerchief. - -"You're just in time to say goodby and get off again," hinted his -brother Tom, who felt that his temperamental younger brother might -interrupt his planned tte--ttes with Polly that evening. - -"Leave nothing!" retorted Jim. "I'll get off where you do." His hearers -laughed. - -"I'm sailing with them as far as Florida," remarked Tom, coolly. - -"Yeh! Then so am I!" was all Jim said, as he turned away to look for Mr. -Dalken. - -A last and final shriek from the whistle sounded, and at the same time a -voice bawled out orders. The Captain was seen watching the group of -young friends, but his face looked like a black thunder-cloud. It was -evident to all that not only the Captain, but the owner of the yacht, as -well, were in no good humor at the behavior of the pilot. But the pilot -cared nothing for friendship or lovers, and he did care for his capacity -to earn dollars. - -Paul shouted to his companions to run for the gang-plank, when he saw -two sailors stand ready to cast off. Before Paul could warn his friends -of the need of haste, a loud voice bawled: "Stand ready to cast off -lines!" Then quickly followed the command: "Cast off!" - -At the same moment the ropes which had moored the yacht to her dock were -deftly thrown, and in another minute the beautiful craft was under way. -Mr. Dalken stood amazed at such action, and the young men thus trapped -and about to be carried away on the voyage, began to stutter and stammer -and wonder what had best be done. - -The girls, considering the manner in which their gallants had been duly -warned and then punished for not obeying the orders, laughed uneasily at -the result of such deafness to the siren's command. On the pier stood a -group of wide-eyed, open-mouthed elders who felt on the verge of nervous -collapse when they had time to remember that this departing vessel was -bound for South America, and those young men were not prepared to take -that trip. - -Mr. Dalken ran to the Captain's quarters and there he remained, instead -of returning to the deck to comfort the troubled souls of the male -admirers who had been so neatly snared. - -The yacht ran smoothly through the tawny waters of the Hudson River, and -headed for the Statue of Liberty. Though the girls, as well as the -trapped boys, were deeply concerned over the outcome of this action on -the Captain's part, they confessed to each other that it was thrilling -when one realized how neatly they had been kidnapped. And then, too, -what jolly times they all might have on the days and nights of this -marvellous cruise! - -Tom reminded Polly, as the yacht shot past the Statue, of that -experience they had shared the night that same yacht collided with the -ferryboat in the fog, and the unexpected dive and swim they were given--a -swim that all but ended fatally for Polly. - -Elizabeth had joined the other young people by this time, and she asked -to be told the circumstance of that adventure on Bedloe's Island. While -describing that thrilling incident, Tom gave his attention to Elizabeth, -thus he failed to notice that Polly slipped away. She had seen Mrs. -Courtney laughing and whispering with some one hidden back of the door -which opened to the private corridor of the Captain's quarters, and she -believed she knew who was standing there imparting such amusing news to -the lady. - -Unseen by Mrs. Courtney, Polly managed to come up quite unexpectedly and -overheard Mr. Dalken remarking: "So you see they will be taught a -necessary lesson at the same time." - -It was too late to change the topic, or to screen the man who imparted -this information, hence Mrs. Courtney laughed softly and begged Polly to -keep the secret. Both she and Mr. Dalken were sure Polly had overheard -all that had just been said. In truth, Polly allowed them to remain -under that impression, but she knew little more than she had before she -surprised them. - -The three sauntered away from the Captain's quarters, and Polly -remarked: "Well, we have much to be grateful for, Dalky. Especially for -the Captain's unusual consideration for young maids' preference for the -company of young men. He shows he was young himself at one time!" Then -she laughed merrily. - -"Yes; that is what he said just now, when I demanded an excuse for his -unwarranted action of adding all those extra appetites to my list of -passengers. We'll run short of rations long before we touch at Cuba," -said Mr. Dalken. - -The anxious young men now saw their host approaching, and Tom hurried -forward to meet him and ask for an explanation. Having been told how -amazed Mr. Dalken felt at the manner in which the Captain had acted, the -disgusted young man glanced inadvertently across the Harbor. - -Polly, watching Mr. Dalken's face for a cue to this hoax, saw him strive -to bite his nether lip in order to keep from laughing outright. This -instantly relieved her mind of any doubts, for she knew Mr. Dalken would -not feel like laughing if the carrying off of the group of young men had -been accidental. As it now seemed, the whole plan had been a trick. - -The yacht skimmed on without as much as a swerve inland to denote that -the Captain was softening his heart and was disposed to land his stolen -passengers at any dock along the way. The men thus stolen began to frown -heavily and every last one of them forgot to make the most of this -opportunity to converse with the young ladies they had found so charming -a short time before. - -Finally the craft neared Sandy Hook. As the distance between the Station -and the yacht seemed to diminish, a stranger in uniform came down from -the pilot house and approached Mr. Dalken. He held out a hand and spoke -in a low murmur. Mr. Dalken laughed and nodded his head. - -The yacht swept up alongside a small power boat which had apparently -kept the same course as the White Crest, and the uniformed stranger -turned to the wondering group of young persons. "I'm going ashore in my -launch, but there may be room for a few extra passengers in case any one -here fears sea-sickness and prefers to return to land." - -At this unexpected invitation, a rush of eager young men fell upon the -pilot and in one voice begged to be taken ashore. The laughter from Mr. -Dalken and his adult guests soon explained the joke. But the host would -not let the departing guests go in peace. - -"I'm shocked, boys, to find you are afraid of sea-sickness and choose to -go ashore rather than take a chance with us! Well, now that my girls see -for themselves what your courage amounts to, they may decide to marry -other young men they are sure to find in South America." - -The farewells spoken at this parting were short, and needed no more than -half a minute to finish. The pilot smiled grimly as he said: "Quite -different from those long-drawn-out goodbys you boys kept on saying -while at the dock!" - -Down in the launch, the young men who now liked to call themselves "The -Castaways," waved their hats and sang a farewell song while the little -chugging craft started away for land. - -Eleanor sighed as she turned away from the rail. "That was the first -adventure on our outward bound itinerary. What next, I wonder?" - -"Well, I can tell you something we _forgot_ to do, because of all this -excitement over those boys!" exclaimed Polly, impatiently. Then she -continued in a no less angry tone: "We had planned just how we would -stand at the stern of the yacht and wave our hands and sing a farewell -to our dear people waiting at the end of the pier to see the very last -speck of us, and then we sail away and not as much as a _thought_ do we -fling at them! I feel quite guilty when I think of all my friends -watching anxiously for one last look from me!" - -Polly's voice had an audible regret in its tone as she ended her -sentence, but Mrs. Courtney quickly changed the regret to merriment. -"Oh, my dear! They never remembered you were on board. Every one in that -crowd on the dock was so flustered over the fears of those boys being -taken on this trip and then hearing from you girls that they all were -married off as seemed best, that they were calling, running about for -help, signaling, and what not, to cause the yacht to turn back and -deposit those heart-breakers safely beside the parental authority once -more." - - - - -CHAPTER III--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - - -While sampling the tiers of candies--each box vying with another in -artistic decorations--and then sniffing at the pyramids of flowers sent -by loving friends to the voyagers, the girls gossiped of the recent -events, the first experiences of their trip South. - -From this form of light conversation, the talk drifted to the discussion -of the weather and the waves. The sea was not as smooth and glassy as it -might have been, and the vessel these bragging maids were now on was not -as firm and quiet under foot as the Oceanic or the Aquitania. In fact, -every huge roller seemed to heave the dainty White Crest up at one end -and let it drop at the other. This rather unpleasant tumbling created a -slight sense of discomfort in the bosoms of the passengers. - -Several boxes of the richest bon bons had been emptied by the group of -girls before Mrs. Courtney came in to join them. The moment she saw the -boxes, and the girls lounging about nibbling at the sweets, she declared -anxiously: "Oh, my dears! Better not eat candy to-night, you know. If we -come into smoother water before to-morrow you will have ample time to -finish these boxes of candy." - -Elizabeth laughed, with the suggestion of a sneer in her tone. "Any one -would think, dear Mrs. Courtney, that we were not good sailors. _You_ -might find it necessary to deprive yourself of certain good things to -eat, but _I_ have crossed several times and I am _never_ troubled with -_mal de mer_." - -"Polly and I never felt a qualm when we went over last year; but that -was on a great gigantic steamer that felt different from this rocking." -As Eleanor spoke she dropped a tempting chocolate cream back into the -box. - -"I was about to remark, just as Mrs. Courtney came in, that it might be -wiser for us to defer sampling the rest of the candy until to-morrow. -This unusual rocking between the tops and the bottoms of the waves is a -bit uncanny--don't you agree with me?" Polly looked concerned at the -sensation she felt. - -Elizabeth laughed unkindly. "You are in for a lovely time, my dear -child!" - -"Well, I've crossed three times myself," now said Nancy Fabian, "but I -will admit that this upheaval of the waves is causing me to worry some -over my emotions." Her friends laughed. - -"This sea-sick business is only a matter of self-control, I think!" -declared Elizabeth, with a superior smile. "Naturally, if one dreads it, -one will feel more uncertain of keeping up. Now _I_ never permit myself -to dwell upon the disgusting thought of such a condition, and I am as -regular at the table each meal as the old sea-seasoned Captains. I have -been complimented by the Captains on having good sea-going nerves." - -Mrs. Courtney listened but offered no contribution to the conversation. -Polly was about to make a remark when a tap at the door drew the -attention of the occupants of the room. - -"Come in," said Eleanor, who sat nearest the door. It was a uniformed -boy who came to announce afternoon tea on deck. "Mr. Dalken says to tell -you'se all that every one is there waitin' fer ye'se." - -"All right, thank you. We'll be there in a moment," said Eleanor, then -she closed the door again. "Any one here want tea? We have had so much -candy that I don't see how we can eat cake or buns." - -"We will go up and join the others, however," added Mrs. Courtney, -rising to lead the way from the state room. - -"But, my dears!" exclaimed Elizabeth in shocked tones. "_Surely_ you -would not sit down to afternoon tea in these street suits?" - -"Of course, Elizabeth. Your father made it very plain that this was to -be a rest and pleasure voyage, and not one for dress or social customs. -We were asked to live exactly as if we were at home in our own little -apartments with no one but family members near," explained Mrs. -Courtney, kindly. - -"Well, that may do all right for you, Mrs. Courtney, but I, for one, -shall never lower my dignity and social prestige to such a degree that I -would have to feel like apologizing to myself for my appearances." With -this rude explanation Elizabeth flounced from the room and went directly -to her own stateroom. - -Her erstwhile companions, believing she would change her dress and make -an elaborate toilet before joining her father's guests on deck, paid no -further attention to her absence. But they hurried out of the room where -Elizabeth had indulged in overmuch sweets and fruits, and were soon -ensconced in comfortable chairs on deck with the elders who were sipping -fragrant tea and enjoying tea cakes. - -Tom made room on the divan for Polly, and she had not the initiative to -refuse to sit beside him. She could not describe the lack of interest -she felt in her friends, or the glorious sky and weather. John and Anne -were laughing and exchanging their opinions with Mr. Dalken on the -quality of his chef. It was the mutual vote of those present that the -cook was a genuine find. John even said it was an appeal to the male to -remain on the yacht and continue the trip to the Andes. - -The crispy brown cakes were so tempting, and the high praise from the -men sounded so alluring, that the girls helped themselves to the -refreshments provided. An unusually heavy roller caused a little tremor -in the minds of most of the mariners, but the sandwiches and cakes were -not neglected for such a small cause. - -"Why, of all things!" cried Polly, glancing at the coast line which was -standing out clearly defined from the changing hues in the sky. "Here we -are off Atlantic Highlands already! It seems just a moment since we -passed Sandy Hook." - -"At this rate I fear we will land in Peru long before we are ready to -leave the ship," laughed Eleanor, munching on a chicken sandwich. - -For the space of half an hour thereafter, the group of gourmands -(self-styled as gourmands because they ate so much of the delicious -viands provided by the chef) admired the setting sun and the colors -reflected in the sea by the clouds. No one had missed Elizabeth as yet, -because every one was busy with the tea table. But now Mr. Dalken -glanced uneasily around at the faces so familiar to him, and wondered -aloud: "Why, where is Totty?" - -His companions glanced from one to the other, and Mrs. Courtney, fearing -lest Polly in her frankness might blurt out the truth about suitable -dressing for tea, explained: "Elizabeth left us to go to her own room to -change her dress. She thought the tailor-made street suit rather heavy -and uncomfortable for lounging about a tea table." - -Those who had heard Elizabeth's unkind remark to Mrs. Courtney silently -commended her kind interpretation of the girl's sentence. Mr. Dalken, -believing his daughter would soon appear, felt satisfied to wait for her -coming. Then the sudden sinking to the horizon of the great sun-ball of -red caused various exclamations of admiration, and also drew the friends -to that side of the yacht where the sunset could be seen to the greatest -advantage. - -As the sun set the wind rose. In a short time a perfect gale was tearing -across the waters, and the waves rose accordingly. In fact, so mighty -became the rollers, and so uncertain the footing on board the yacht, -that it was a risk for the "land-lubbers" to attempt to walk recklessly -about the deck. Giant waves, every now and then, washed over the swiftly -flying yacht and sprayed the voyagers with salty drops, and Mr. Dalken -advised them all to go in and rest before dinner was announced. - -Perhaps it was due to obeying his advice to lie down for a short time; -perhaps it was the partaking of too much of the delicious viands -provided by the jewel of a chef; perhaps it was just plain old sea -sickness--but whatever it was, let it here be stated that only two adults -appeared in the dining room that evening for dinner: Mrs. Courtney and -Mr. Dalken. - -Having waited and waited for the appearance of the others in their -party, and having ascertained by continued perseverance of a -questionnaire, in the form of a 'phone, that his guests preferred to -dine in bed, Mr. Dalken finally concluded to eat. Therefore he sent word -by said 'phone to ascertain how many trays would be wanted by sick -friends. - -The reply caused Mrs. Courtney a hearty laugh, while Mr. Dalken found -ample pleasure for the next week in referring to that night's -experience, and to their curt thanks to his humanitarian impulses. - -Elizabeth had not joined her father's guests at tea that late afternoon -for the very good reason that she threw herself upon the bed in her room -and was glad enough to remain there for several days. She had eaten -three times as much candy and fruit as any one of her companions, and -now she was paying the price for self-indulgence. Where now were all her -brags about being such a splendid sailor! - -It was not an individual weakness on the part of Polly and Eleanor that -they succumbed to the attack of sea sickness soon after they reached -their small rooms. But they were not aware at the time that _all_ -adults, excepting Mr. Dalken and Mrs. Courtney, had decided against -dining that night, and remained in their own rooms instead. Had the two -girls dreamed of the truth, that the two pawns in their match-making -game were enjoying a tte--tte dinner and evening together, this -knowledge would have done much to console them for their weird -sensations within. - -As the evening advanced the gale increased, and those who felt too ill -to leave their beds feared lest they _might_ survive till morning. The -yacht could not sink quick enough to please them. Elizabeth was one of -this group of morbid sailors. The members of the other group who felt -able to hold up their heads and take a squint at the turbulent waters -and sky now and then when the craft seemed to spin about on a pivot, or -suddenly soar to the sky and as quickly change its course to sink to the -bottom of the sea, prayed and prayed that the shores of Florida might -loom up within the next few hours--that they might go ashore. - -These prayers, being selfish ones, were not answered, and the coast of -Florida remained where it had been placed in the order of arranging the -New World. - -Having managed to drag herself across her room to the porthole, Polly -looked out to see whether the moon was the next stop. She thought the -yacht had been going, prow upwards, for the last hour. To her amazement -she saw they were still on the sea, but such a sea! So tumbled and -troubled that she wished for oil to pour upon it. - -Eleanor and Polly shared one room, and now Eleanor lifted her head and -wailed: "What do you see, Poll?" - -"I see sea, that's all. Oh, my head!" and Polly fell into a chair and -caught her head between her hands. - -In spite of her wish to die, Eleanor could not refrain from laughing at -her chum. "I should have said you see saw, instead of see sea, judging -from the 'now we go up, and now we go down' behavior of the board we are -on." - -But no answering smile came from Polly's somber face. - -Eleanor, not to be discouraged in her wish to help her friend cheer up, -murmured: "If we feel this way, Poll, how do you suppose precious Totty -is doing?" - -This struck Polly's sense of humor at the right moment. She had to laugh -in spite of her wish to ponder on death and the hereafter. The picture -of Elizabeth as she bragged of her seamanship, gave cause to a duet of -merriment from the two girls. This acted like a tonic, and thenceforth -they began to feel easier. Then, too, the gale had spent its fury and -began gradually to calm down. - -A soft knock on the door of their room brought forth the command to come -in. Mrs. Courtney, looking magnificent in her simple but elegant dinner -gown entered with a cheerful smile for the girls. - -"Well, well! Where are the seasoned ocean travelers?" said she in a -quizzing tone. - -"Lost! Went down off Sandy Hook!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Who are these shadows in their place?" continued Mrs. Courtney, -teasingly. - -"Never mind who we are," was Polly's laughing rejoinder, "but tell us -this much: where is Elizabeth, and what is she doing?" - -"That I cannot say, my dears, till after Mr. Dalken comes from his -daughter's room. I left him just now about to visit her, then I came in -here to see you. I understand she wishes to die without delay." - -This seemed to tickle Polly and Eleanor greatly. They actually exchanged -delighted glances, and Eleanor said: "Serves her right." - -"Oh, come," returned Mrs. Courtney, "don't say that. The poor child has -never had any real example of what is right and good, so how can one -expect of her what we do of girls like you and Polly?" - -"Well," said Polly, swinging her feet out of bed, "I believe I am able -to sit up and enjoy this visit. The sea must be calming down -considerably from the smooth manner in which the yacht is moving." - -But Polly spoke too soon. The moment she tried to stand upon her feet -she swayed uncertainly and her head spun around like a top. Mrs. -Courtney sprang over and caught her arm and steadied her till she got -back to bed. Eleanor giggled unmercifully. - -"Better stay put, Poll, till morning. Then we'll practice before we show -off." - -All that night the waves which had caused the pitching and rolling of -the vessel kept up a heavy under-swell that made the yacht shudder and -tremble uncertainly. At times it seemed as if the great gaping rollers -wished to gulp the small craft in one swallow. But inside the -comfortable rooms of the yacht, the _un_comfortable passengers waited -patiently for the heavy seas to quiet down again. - -After leaving his daughter's room, Mr. Dalken went forward to find the -First Mate who had said he had graduated from a medical college out -west. Having found the man, Mr. Dalken called him by his title of -doctor. - -"I have a plan to suggest, Dr. Braxton, which ought to cure all our -seasick passengers. I want you to visit each one in a professional way -and diagnose their conditions. Do not find any one suffering from sea -sickness, but find some light cause for their indisposition and be sure -and tell them so. I have an idea that the test of changing their minds -about the cause of their being in bed will change their physical -conditions, too. Will you do this for me? Take your medicine chest and -leave each one some melted licorice in water. Tell them to take a -tablespoonful of this wonderful tonic every hour--then we'll see." - -"Why, Mr. Dalken, you would not have me tell these poor people that they -are not ill with sea sickness, would you? It would be unkind of us to do -that," objected the poor young man. - -"Now listen, my good friend. I've heard said, over and over again, that -seasickness is mostly due to fear and _concern_ over one's having it. -The pneumogastric nerve acts with the mental condition of the patient--we -all know that. And this nerve, it is claimed, is directly affected in a -manner to make the ill one think he cannot move, or get up, or eat. I -want to cure my friends in a hurry, and I want you to help me cure them. -That is real kindness--not unkindness." - -The interested young man asked what more would be required of him, and -Mr. Dalken explained. In a short time thereafter, Dr. Braxton called -upon his first patient. It happened to be Mr. Fabian. - -After using all the usual methods of taking pulse, looking at the -tongue, feeling of the heart, and taking the temperature, the young -physician said: - -"I'm happy to say, Mr. Fabian, that this attack is not a case of -sea-sickness at all, but acute comatose condition of the digestive -glands. You might have experienced the same illness had you been at -home. Now I shall leave you this wonderful remedy to take every hour, -and in the morning you will feel fine. Three doses of this ought to put -you right as a trivet." - -Mr. Fabian was so glad to hear he had not had an attack of sea-sickness -that he thanked the doctor and said he felt sure he would be around in -the morning. - -Having visited all the sick-abed members of Mr. Dalken's party, and -found one suffering from a slight attack of gastritis, another with -rheumatic neurosis of the abdomen, and many other queer complaints that -have never been heard of before or since that night, and then having -left the great cure-all medicine for each and every one stricken, the -willing physician went to report to Mr. Dalken. - - - - -CHAPTER IV--THE SECOND DAY OUT - - -Mr. Dalken enjoyed the joke immensely and hoped it would benefit his -friends as he had planned it should. During the night the sea calmed so -that by dawn it presented a beautiful surface of small playful waves. -Consequently the yacht danced over the waters like a happy nautilus, but -the tossing had ceased. - -During the night the vessel had made wonderful headway and by breakfast -time the Captain said they were opposite Old Point Comfort. The -information gave rise to puns, because every member in the party except -Elizabeth, presented himself at the table, ready for a hearty meal, but -one and all maintained that their improvement was due to Old Point -Comfort. - -Upon comparing notes of their illnesses, and the dark brown medicine -given by the young doctor, the patients found they had been given -diluted licorice; Mr. Dalken had visited his daughter several times -during the night, and again in the morning, but she complained that he -disturbed her rest every time he came in. Therefore he decided not to -annoy her until she felt better. - -When asked by Mrs. Courtney whether it would be advisable to take a -light breakfast to Elizabeth and attend her, Mr. Dalken replied: "Better -leave her absolutely alone for a short time. She may recover sooner." - -In spite of ravenous appetites and the temptation of the dainty dishes -sent to the breakfast table, the mariners, so recently recovering from -the effects of the wild waves of the night before, found a sudden -relapse of well remembered conditions the moment any food touched their -tongue and palate. Thus the alluring breakfast had to be sent back to -the kitchen with regrets. - -That day the convalescents, as Mr. Dalken persisted in calling his -guests, preferred to keep quiet, amusing themselves with the periodicals -liberally provided in the lounging room, or chatting on deck and -watching the curling waves against the speeding yacht. - -Late in the afternoon, just before tea was served on deck, Elizabeth -came from her room, looking very pathetic in spite of the touch of rouge -on her cheeks, and color on her lips. Mr. Dalken sprang up to assist her -to a chair, but she refused his support with an impatient toss of her -head. Consequently, the vessel giving a sudden graceful curve, Elizabeth -was thrown head first into Mr. Ashby's arms. - -"My! It's not often that an old man has such an armful of loveliness -tossed him by the generous sea," laughed Mr. Ashby, as he assisted -Elizabeth to her feet. He understood the way to calm a young woman's -chagrin, and compliment her at the same time. - -Elizabeth had not heard of the graduate physician's visits to the other -sea sick guests, nor of the dark brown medicine he had prescribed in -obedience to Mr. Dalken's orders. Hence she believed she had been the -one who received all the medical attentions and the dose. - -"Dear me, I have had such an attack of cerebral neuritis," commenced -she, sighing to attract sympathy. "Unfortunately, this attack came over -me from the unusual excitement due to preparing for this cruise. The -doctor says I need more rest and a nerve tonic. I never call in such -inexperienced doctors at home, but this one seems to know exactly what -to do in my case." - -Elizabeth glanced at Mrs. Courtney, then at her father, in order to -assure herself that they had comprehended what she had said. Mrs. -Courtney seemed to be politely intent upon the girl's words, and Mr. -Dalken smiled lovingly at his daughter. Elizabeth failed to read any -suspicion of amusement in their expressions, so she proceeded. - -"You know, I never am sea-sick--_never_! And I wondered if the rest of -you would think that my indisposition might be an attack of the -unpleasant sensations which generally prostrate inexperienced seafarers. -It was rather disconcerting that this attack of nervous trouble should -return the first day out at sea." Elizabeth now glanced around at the -faces about her. She felt a bit piqued at the hardly controlled -expressions of one or two of them. - -Eleanor, with her blunt honesty and impatience with any form of -subterfuge, blurted out unexpectedly: "I, too, was indisposed, -Elizabeth; but the wise young doctor informed me that I _never_ could be -sea-sick--my trouble was eating too much candy, and the volume of water -which was playing fast and loose with the yacht. He gave me this dark -brown medicine to take, and assured me that the moment the gale subsided -my nausea would disappear." - -As Eleanor spoke she took a small bottle from her bag and held it out in -plain view of Elizabeth and the others in the amused circle of friends. - -Elizabeth looked in dismay, recognized the color of the medicine, then -glanced about at the smiling faces of those who also had taken the -doctor's medicine. - -"Is this a joke you wish to play on me?" demanded she. - -[Illustration: "IS THIS A JOKE YOU WISH TO PLAY ON ME?"] - -"It wasn't a joke last night, I can tell you, Elizabeth," exclaimed -Polly, bringing her vial to view and shaking her head deploringly as she -studied the brown liquid. "If every one on this ship felt as I did, -they'd never have thought of a doctor or medicine, let alone any -licorice water." - -The laugh caused by Polly's admission failed to soothe Elizabeth. She -was furious, but managed to demand: "Who of this group was ill?" In this -manner she thought to detect the ones who had taken such amusement in -fooling their friends. - -One after another in the circle admitted the truth, but Mrs. Courtney -confessed to having spent her evening with Polly and Eleanor. That left -Mr. Dalken alone. He smiled as he said: "Well, I am forced to confess -that I am the guilty one. I prescribed the doctor and his doses." - -As Elizabeth could not very well denounce her father for having played -this practical joke on his friends as well as on herself, she merely -tossed her head and turned her back upon him. He smiled to himself, then -caught Polly's glance which told him she understood the cause of his -daughter's annoyance. Also he read a sympathy in her heart for the -misunderstanding so deliberately displayed by the girl. - -Fortunately for the situation the boy now came forward and began -preparations to serve tea. Having arranged the wicker table in front of -Mrs. Courtney, without a look or word to Mrs. Fabian or Mrs. Ashby who -were in the circle, he left again to fetch the tea service. Directly -behind the well-bred young servant came an uncouth Scandinavian youth -carrying a heavy tray of viands. - -Mr. Dalken had not seen nor had anything to do with engaging the -individuals in the crew on his yacht, as that was part of his Captain's -work. And up to this moment Mr. Dalken had never seen this great -overgrown Swede. But the blonde giant had no intentions of being -ignored, as he soon made plain. - -He planked his tray forcibly upon the table beside the tea service -wagon, and then turned to Mr. Dalken. No introduction was needed for -him. He was too disturbed to consider aught but his injured feelings. - -"Dot tea what yun Shink meks me fer supper, Oi not drink. Oi tek cuffee -er Oi go home!" exclaimed he with ire. - -Several of the voyagers had been quietly admiring the low-lying banks of -soft cirrus clouds, and some had been engaged in absent-mindedly -watching the man servant arrange the tea table, when the Swede exploded -his complaint in a loud thunderous tone. - -Mr. Dalken gave a start. He was too surprised at the unlooked for -complaint to control the nervous action. He frowned at the ponderous -youth, then waved him away. Turning to the other man he told him to -serve; then he followed the wondering Swede down the promenade deck to -the culinary quarters. - -As Mr. Dalken disappeared to view, Elizabeth smiled a tantalizing smile -and remarked, to no one in particular: "Dear me! I cannot understand why -Daddy engages such inexperienced servants. He always did neglect -important things." - -An ominous silence followed this information from Elizabeth, then Mr. -Ashby gayly proposed a diversion which interested his friends till Mr. -Dalken rejoined the group. - -Not having heard his daughter's criticism Mr. Dalken reseated himself -and smiled as he began: "I investigated the cause of that young chap's -complaint, because I could not very well consent to his walking back -home--not on the water, you know. And I discovered a most amusing affair -back in the kitchen. Want to hear the tale?" - -Every one but Elizabeth signified eagerly a desire to hear the story. -She pretended indifference to her father and his experience in the -kitchen. But he did not see her face and laughingly began his narrative. - -"I learned that the Chef treats the crew with unusual consideration by -serving the same quality tea that we drink. That poor Scandinavian lad -had never before sailed with a decent crew, it seems. In the past he has -been the butt for all the deep-sea sailors who sailed from their Swedish -ports on tramp steamers or fishing boats. - -"Captain Blake tells me that Jansen is a fine youth and very -conscientious, but too blunt for his own good. In his past experiences -he has only had the cheapest black coffee served, or a weak sort of -bitter drink faintly colored that went by the name of tea. The Captain -explained to me that such tea is made from used tea-leaves which are -dried by enterprising men and stained with chemicals to produce a brown -liquid with a strong flavor. Naturally, he said, such second-hand tea -leaves are not any too clean. The driers do not spend time on seeing to -it that the leaves are kept free from vermin and dirt. Hence it often -happens that sailors find unexpected dregs mixed with their tea leaves -in the bottom of the pannikins in which they receive their measure of -so-called tea." - -As Mr. Dalken reached this part of his story Elizabeth gave a shudder -and exclaimed in a horror-stricken tone: "Oh, Daddy! How _can_ you be so -ordinary as to speak of such horrible things? Any one would think you -were just common. What does it matter to us whether these plebeian -seamen drink tea or salt water, as long as we are not subjected to their -coarse modes of living?" - -Mr. Dalken turned to stare at Elizabeth, and his frown should have -warned her of further pursuing such a line of condemnation. But -Elizabeth was bent on punishing her father for having made her--so she -deemed it--the laughing stock of his friends by sending in a doctor who -gave her licorice water to cure a serious attack of cerebral neuritis, -though Elizabeth was not quite sure what such a dreadful disease was. - -"You have forgotten, I suppose, because of the recent years of your not -associating with the best society, that subjects of food are not -considered permissible. But the very idea of any one in my class of -friends, daring to broach a story such as you just began--all about -vermin--would have instantly caused him to be excluded from us," -concluded she. - -Polly stared unbelievingly at the girl who dared say such things to a -father; and the others in the group who considered themselves intimate -friends of Mr. Dalken's, could not but interpret the insolent girl's -speech as personal affronts: had they not been her father's closest -associates for the past few years? The society which she daringly -condemned as not being good for him? - -What may have been the result of this indiscreet speech from Elizabeth -could not be said, but Mrs. Courtney, in her wisdom, instantly rose to -the call for immediate action of some sort. The Captain had just -announced a "change of watch on board." She caught at the idea. - -"Oh, oh! Mr. Dalken! The Captain is about to change the watch. Cannot -you take us there and explain how this interesting act is accomplished?" -As she spoke the wily woman sprang from her chair, and took two or three -eager steps in the direction of the group of sailors now appearing -before the Captain. - -Instantly all the other members in the circle seated at the tea table -sprang up, only too thankful to catch at a straw by which to save the -situation. Mr. Dalken also rose and led the way down the promenade deck -in the direction of the Captain. Elizabeth remained in her chair, -shrugging her shoulders in a decidedly French manner. - -Having heard the Captain explain how changes of watch were made on -vessels, the group of friends eagerly accepted his offer to conduct them -over the entire yacht. They were introduced to the chef who had been -called the "Shink" by the Swedish boy. They met and felt an interest in -the overgrown, inexperienced youth of fifteen who seemed like a hearty -man of twenty-five. He grinned sheepishly when Polly selected him to -address her admiration of his qualities of seamanship--as the Captain had -explained it. - -Then they were introduced to the capable young Belgian waiter, Johann, -who was always well-bred and attentive. - -Shink, the Chinese cook, felt so nattered by the visit of many pretty -women to his domain that his rather incomprehensible manner of speaking -English became choked and jumbled. Such a medley of consonants and -vowels as he poured forth in a continuous flood by his twisting tongue, -caused his visitors to gasp in breathless amazement. In his endeavors to -show "Honorable Boss Fren's" all the courtesy due their Most Honorable -Selves, Shink bowed and chattered, even after the Most Honorable Party -had gone. - -Unfortunately for the Oriental's peace of mind, and the welfare of the -Swede the latter had stepped outside the kitchen to make more room for -the visitors. As the group of Mr. Dalken's guests were leaving the -kitchen by another door from that entered by them, a great crash of -china was heard by the excitable Shink. He leaped to the door and -discovered the cause. Poor Wooden-top, as the Swedish lad was nicknamed -by his associates, in turning to gaze after the receding form of Polly -to whom his heart was forever lost, had stubbed his toe against the -raised door sill. The heavy tray of dishes which he had been carrying -aloft went flying through the door to smash as best suited each -individual dish against the opposite wall. - -Elizabeth was not to be seen when the inspecting party returned to the -lounging place on deck. But it was soon ascertained that she had retired -to her own room after her friends had left her. - -That evening was a merry one. Dancing and other diversions were enjoyed -by the younger members of the party, and cards were played by the older -ones, to the entire satisfaction of both groups. The sea was as calm as -a sheet of glass, but the Captain foretold a storm, though this was hard -to believe when one gazed at the wonderful starlit sky and felt the -clearness of the atmosphere. - -"The Captain says we will soon be off the coast of Florida, if we keep -up this speed," ventured Polly, who had stood with the man in charge of -the yacht for a long time that evening after dinner. - -"And there I shall have to leave you," whispered Tom, in a moody tone of -voice. - -"You should be thankful that you were granted this lovely visit with Mr. -Dalken's friends," returned Polly, purposely misinterpreting his -meaning. She hoped to steer Tom away from his constant harping on his -love for her, and demanding her sympathy in his distress over it. - -The temperature had become so balmy and delightful in the latitudes the -yacht had reached, that it was a pleasure to sit on deck or walk about -while thinking of the sleety, penetratingly cold air in New York City. -Tom, anxious to make the most of his fast-ending visit on board the -vessel, coaxed Polly to go with him and watch the moon rise over the -quiet sea. - -With a desperate glance behind--much as Lot's wife must have given after -leaving Sodom to its fate--Polly sighed and agreed. There seemed to be no -other alternative. Eleanor and Ruth Ashby had vanished soon after the -last dance had ended, Nancy was deep in a new novel, Elizabeth was in -her own room, and the rest were playing a new game of cards proposed by -Mrs. Ashby. - -Tom, elated at his success in securing Polly's undivided company upon -such a glorious night, walked with her to a cosy nook he had found in -the stern of the vessel. Here, seated upon luxurious chairs which he had -commandeered from the lounge, he felt that any girl should be willing to -watch the frothy wash of the water from the rapid cleaving of the yacht -through its surface, and listen to an ardent lover who had much to say -in a very short space of time. - -But Polly thought otherwise. She was willing to watch the churning water -thrown this side and that by the stern of the boat, and she was eager to -see the moon rise from the horizon of the sea, but she was not keen -about hearing, again, the oft-repeated story of Tom's love and his -heartache because she would not reciprocate such love. - -Just as long as Tom kept to general topics of conversation, Polly smiled -and showed an interest in him. But let him launch his love story even in -the least possible manner, and she instantly sat up and changed the -subject to one of the weather, the moon, or the landing at Jacksonville, -where they were to find friends awaiting the yacht. - -Tom finally rebelled at such treatment. - -"Polly, you are cruel, and you know it! Here it has been many, many long -weeks since Christmas, when you showed me enough heart to make me -believe that you truly loved me. But you froze up again, the next day, -and since then you try to make yourself and others believe that you -consider me only in the light of a good friend. If it takes serious -illness or adversity to rouse your love, I'll do something desperate to -prove you!" Tom's threat sounded ominous. - -"Tom, I really think you are mentally deranged. I've told you over and -again, that I shall take ample time to weigh my future life. It's not -going to be a case of 'marry in haste; repent at leisure.' I have wanted -to travel and see the world, and now that I have the opportunity, it is -sheer selfishness on your part to try to dissuade me from such joy and -pleasure." - -"Oh, Polly! I am the least selfish lover in the world. I tag on at your -heels and never receive any mark of your affection. Why, you scarcely -deign to notice me, when other admirers are at hand." - -"That's not true, but I do try to show them the same attention and -consideration that any sensible girl ought to. I have said emphatically -that I am _not_ to be considered as having been captured by you, and the -fact that I have to assert myself to prove it to our friends may make -you think it is as you say. It is your fault that this is so. I prefer -to be impartial and not give myself all the extra trouble to act as I -feel, entirely free and glad to dance or enjoy the society of other -young men besides yourself." - -Tom made no reply, but sat staring gloomily out over the water. Polly -sent him a side glance and thought to herself: "There, that frank -statement ought to hold him for a time, at least!" - -The two felt that their tte--tte had best end before it terminated in -the usual disagreement regarding love. The sky became mottled with -beautiful drifting clouds which formed slowly into the long, scaly -appearance of what is known as a "mackerel sky." The smoothness of the -sea had become a choppy, complaining surface of murmuring wavelets. The -color reflected from the brooding sky had turned the glassy waters into -a grey ominous sheet. - -Almost within the shaft of light coming from the saloon lights, Polly -and Tom came face to face with the Captain. He saluted and said: "Better -get ready for a turn to-night. I've just been warning Mr. Dalken, but he -seems to think I am borrowing trouble. If you listen to me, you will tie -yourselves in bed in order to spare yourselves being rolled out -unceremoniously before dawn." - -Polly laughed and thanked the amiable Captain, and Tom stood for a -moment after the officer had left them, and stared out at the sullen -sea. - -"It looks perfectly calm," remarked Tom. - -"Looks often belie the true condition underneath," returned Polly, -precociously. Tom looked at her and laughed appreciatively. - -In the saloon the young people were trying some of the new popular songs -of New York. But their efforts met with little success, and Tom -interrupted them with his comments. - -"Don't tease the storm to descend any sooner by this wailing. The -Captain says we shall all be satisfied with enough groaning and -screaming from the sea and sky long before morning." - -The Captain's warning fell unheeded, however, except by Polly who felt -intuitively that the change she had seen creeping over the sky and -surface of the sea foreboded no good. Therefore, she persuaded Eleanor, -that night, to place ready at hand her booties and a heavy ulster. She -did the same. - -"But why the ulster, Polly?" asked Eleanor in amazement. - -"Because, should we have a terrific blow as oft times happens in these -tropical latitudes, it will be well worth going up on the deck. And we -will need a heavy storm-proof coat to keep us dry." - -It was past eleven o'clock when the party on the yacht broke up and -every one said good-night to every one. It was not yet twelve when Polly -advised Eleanor to keep her booties and wraps at hand in case she wanted -to don them in a hurry, and it was only a few minutes past twelve when, -both girls, having jumped into bed, heard a strange soughing of the wind -and immediately following that, the confused shouts of the Captain and -his mates to the sailors on board. Both girls felt the rise of the sea -by the way the yacht dipped and careened as if at the mercy of the -storm. - -"There! The Captain was right when he warned us of this," murmured -Polly, turning about in order to get out of her bed. - -The shouting and excitement on deck continued and Eleanor decided it -might be interesting for her to follow Polly's example and dress -hurriedly in order to investigate the cause of all the commotion. Before -she could reach out to take her stockings and shoes, however, she was -thrown violently against the wall at the back of her bed. Polly, too, -was tumbled willy nilly up against the wash stand. - -"Well! I neve----!" began Eleanor, but she never completed her exclamation -of dismay. Such a roar and rumble from all sides, and such shouting and -shrieking, drove all ideas from her active brain. - -The shouts came from the officers outside, the shrieks from Elizabeth -who occupied the neighboring cabin. - -Hail, great volumes of water, and bits of debris were hurtled against -the glass in the portholes, and at the same time the awful rolling and -tossing of the vessel added dismay to braver hearts than that of the -spoiled darling of a foolish mother in New York. - -The storm drove the yacht straight southward, which was fortunate; also -it was a fortunate matter that the Captain had foreseen this change in -weather and had prepared for it in time. What he had not expected, and -an unusual experience it was, was the cloud-burst which followed the -advance signals of the hurricane. - -Polly and Eleanor had managed to get into their heavy storm coats and -shoes, and were prepared to leave their room and watch events when the -sound of a heavy metal grating against the door of the corridor which -opened into the living room of the yacht, made them exchange glances. - -"That sounds as if we were prisoners. It must have been the iron bar -that the Captain said they used when there was danger of the heavy seas -breaking the doors open," said Polly. - -"All the more reason why I should wish to be out and get the benefit of -such a storm," ventured Eleanor. - -"And all the more reason why I shall hold you indoors," instantly -retorted Polly. - -Eleanor laughed. "Yet you were the one to suggest that I get out my coat -and shoes, to be ready to hurry out and watch the storm should it come -our way." - -"I had no idea that we were bound to run head first into a hurricane, or -a tidal wave! _I_ meant a simple, little old-fashioned gale." - -Suddenly the White Crest lay over on her beam ends and both girls slid -helplessly down against the wall where they clutched at the smooth door, -trying to hold to something firm and trustworthy. The sound of the -screeching, howling wind now rose to a deafening shriek which prevented -any one from hearing a word spoken, even though the speaker was close to -one's ear. - -By sheer means of strength and purpose Polly managed to drag herself up -to a level with the round porthole, in order to get a look outside. She -steadied herself in this slanting position while holding fast to the -brass hinges and knob of the heavy-framed glass. - -"Oh, Nolla! It is magnificent! The waves are a mass of boiling, seething -phosphorescence which actually light the whole sea! If you can hold -fast, try to stand up and see." - -By dint of clinging to Polly's legs and then holding fast to her waist, -Eleanor managed to stand beside her friend just long enough to take one -look at the fearsome sight of the ocean. - -With a hushed cry of dismay Eleanor let go her hold and in another -minute she was rolled over and over upon the floor with no means of -ending the game of bowls until she had clutched the leg of her bed. - -"Oh, Polly! I wish I had never looked! I'm sure we shall not be able to -combat such a storm," wailed Eleanor. - -"Don't you go and follow Elizabeth Dalken's example of fear and cries -for help," came from Polly who still clung to the window and watched -with fascinated eyes. But even her powers of endurance gave way as a -monster wave, crested with such bluish, iridescent light as would have -daunted the bravest nerve, rushed up against the plaything which Mr. -Dalken believed to be proof against all the elements. - -It struck the craft with a thundering blow and at once it seemed as if -pandemonium was loose. Elizabeth yelled and screamed, other voices could -be heard shouting and screaming at the top of good powerful seamen's -lungs, and the pounding of water on the deck and against the door made -both girls shiver with apprehension. Polly had let go her grasp on the -brass knob when the unexpected flood of water came up against the -window, consequently she was shunted over against the wall beside -Eleanor. - -Half a dozen great seas went over the craft while Polly and Eleanor -crouched against the wall in utter despair of thinking of a way to hush -the nerve-racking screams from Elizabeth. When the storm seemed to reach -its height, and the girls felt that they would be lost unless something -happened quick, there came a sudden and awesome lull. - -"Oh, thank goodness, it is over!" sighed Eleanor getting to her feet, -and making an effort to reach the door of her room. - -"Let's get out and join the others, Nolla, because I have heard that -such sudden lulls are merely harbingers of something worse," advised -Polly. - -"There can be nothing worse than what we've just passed through," said -Eleanor, with a hysterical sound in her tones. - -"Oh, yes, there can! Hurry into Mrs. Courtney's room," said Polly, -pushing her friend quickly out of the room and over to the door of the -room where they expected to find their friend. - -The room was vacant. The girls stared at each other, and Polly thought -she heard voices in Elizabeth Dalken's room. She managed to reach it, -open it, and then, before she could say a word, the lull was broken. - -Both girls were tossed like cockle shells into the room where Mrs. -Courtney was trying to soothe Elizabeth Dalken's nervous hysteria. At -the same time such a frightful sound of pounding waters on the deck and -sides and top of the yacht drove apprehension deeper into their souls. -Even courageous Mrs. Courtney showed her sense of fear. - -"What is that noise?" whispered Eleanor in a weak voice. - -"I don't know, dear," replied Mrs. Courtney, "but it sounds like a cloud -burst. The moment it is over we shall be all right." - -And this is what it turned out to be. A hurricane from off shore, -suddenly sweeping up gigantic clouds of water by its sheer force of -velocity across the waves, and then suddenly emptying its sac of water -over the defenseless craft which bravely defied the storms, endeavored -to sink it. - -With the pouring out of its last vial of wrath the hurricane subsided, -and in half an hour all was quiet without: all but the shouting and -rushing of the sailors as they ran to and fro on their duties. With the -four in one small room, Elizabeth felt safer and was soon quieted. Then -when the vessel seemed to resume its untroubled course, she settled down -and fell asleep. Mrs. Courtney and the two girls who had been hurtled -into the room, left her and closed the door softly as they went out. - -"I am going to go out and see what can be seen," ventured Polly, but -Mrs. Courtney dissuaded her. - -"You may be in the way of the carrying out of the Captain's orders, -Polly. Better remain satisfied with going to the saloon. I expect to -find all the others there before us." - -Thence the three made their way, and true to predictions, the grown-ups -were assembled there talking over the narrow escape they had just had. - -"What time is it?" asked Eleanor of Tom Latimer. - -"It must be near dawn," added Polly, anxiously. - -"Well, it isn't," replied Tom, as he took out his watch. "I had not yet -taken off my coat and vest when this storm came upon us. I rushed out of -my room at the first blow and offered my services to the Captain, but he -had prepared, thank God! We wouldn't be talking over events now had he -not understood the forecast of the weather." - -Tom showed the two girls his watch and to their surprise they realized -that all had happened in less than twenty minutes. It was but just one -o'clock. - -"Then we ought to get back to bed and coax our beauty sleep to soothe -our nerves," laughed Mrs. Courtney. - -"So we shall, as soon as Shink sends in our hot malted milk. He claims -it will soothe any nerves--the way he can concoct it. I ordered him to -prepare a cauldronful for the crew, too, as they needed calming more -than any one I ever saw. Not from fear or nerves, but from doing the -work of ten times their number in order to keep us afloat." Mr. Dalken -seemed seriously thoughtful for a moment after he spoke, then he added: - -"I am the only one here who realizes the close call we had. The Captain -with his preventive measures before the storm broke, and the ready -obedience of his crew, saved us this night. Not only did we run foul of -one of the fiercest hurricanes that sweep over the sea at this latitude, -but we also managed to get under the deluge that broke when the -hurricane began to lose power and let go its hold on the great mass of -water it managed to hold aloft during its swift circling about our poor -little craft. - -"Thank God for that Swedish lad! Had it not been for his powerful muscle -in the moment of extremity, we would now be without a Captain. It all -happened so suddenly that no one had time to think. The sudden cloud -burst, or water spout, fell just as Captain Blake started to cross the -deck, and the volume of water would have carried him overboard but for -that young giant. Instead of thinking he acted. He threw an arm about -the brass bar and caught hold of the Captain's arm as he was washed past -him. With a grip like steel the rescuer managed to work his way, hand -over hand clutching to the water-washed rail, until he had reached -safety. - -"Well, such is the life of a sea-faring man!" concluded Mr. Dalken, as -he sat and thought of the past danger. - - - - -CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH - - -Before the White Crest reached her first port, which was Jacksonville, -Mr. Dalken must have regretted his invitation to his daughter Elizabeth -to become one of his party for the cruise. She had not only taken every -occasion to contradict her father when he made any statement, but she -sneered at all he said. Naturally this superior air from a young girl -deeply annoyed Polly and Eleanor who were Mr. Dalken's sworn allies; and -the friends who knew and admired their host without limitation, also -felt diffident at such times as Mr. Dalken was so rudely criticised. - -Said Eleanor to Polly one night before retiring: "If I were Dalky I'd -take Elizabeth to the express train going to New York and I'd ship her -home to her butterfly mother!" - -"It's one thing to say such a thing, but quite another matter to -accomplish it," returned Polly. - -"Well, anyway, we may find some way in which to leave her behind when we -touch at Jacksonville or Palm Beach." - -"Oh! Are we going to stop at Palm Beach?" exclaimed Polly. - -"Why, yes! Didn't you know? It was Elizabeth's coaxing that caused Dalky -to agree to stop over there to have dinner at the Ponce de Leon. Perhaps -we shall spend the evening there and return to the ship to sleep." - -"That's great! If Elizabeth should meet any of her New York friends at -the hotel she may prefer to remain," ventured Polly. - -"I'm hoping the same thing. If only we could hypnotize people we might -bring some one she likes right into her pathway," laughed Eleanor as she -jumped into bed. - -The following morning the yacht reached Jacksonville where Tom Latimer -was supposed to leave his friends and start back North. But John and -Anne Brewster were persuaded to remain on board with their friends till -they reached Palm Beach, hence Tom decided to remain too, and thence -accompany his bosom friend John back to New York. - -"If Tom insists upon dogging my every step as he has been doing on the -yacht, I don't see that I am going to have a good time," pouted Polly, -as she heard Eleanor's news that Tom would go on to Palm Beach. - -Eleanor laughed teasingly. "That's what a young girl gets for having a -beau who is daffy over her!" - -"But, Nolla," complained Polly, "it isn't my fault that Tom won't take a -broad hint to mind his own business!" - -"Perhaps he thinks this _is_ his business--the business of getting the -girl he has made up his mind to marry," declared Eleanor. - -"Well, then! You can just tell him from me, Nolla, that he is going -about it in exactly the wrong way to interest me in himself. A girl -hates to be tagged, just as a man loses interest in a girl who is -forever putting herself in his way to be noticed." - -"I'll tell him!" agreed Eleanor, laughingly. - -But it was not necessary that Eleanor warn Tom of his over-zealous -attentions to Polly, because a general surprise awaited the mariners -when the vessel docked. Not only did Eleanor find a telegram from her -father, in which he said that unexpected trouble at his bank kept him in -Chicago, and prevented his joining the happy friends on the White Crest, -but Mr. Dalken also found his ward, John Baxter, and his friend Raymond -Ames waiting to come aboard. Every one believed Jack to be in New York. - -"Well, well, boys, where did you hail from?" was Mr. Dalken's first -words as the two young men leaped upon the deck and ran to present -themselves. - -"Why, immediately after you sailed I met my friend Ray who was bound for -a position in Panama. Being so lonesome with all you friends away, it -took but little coaxing from him to persuade me to accompany him," -explained Jack. - -Even while the new-comers were being overwhelmed with questions from the -mariners, Mr. Dalken called a hasty council of war and discussed the -advisability of going ashore to see the town, or to continue on to Palm -Beach. It was unanimously decided that Jacksonville contained nothing of -interest to the sailors, the three guests just arrived, having seen all -they wanted to see at the city. Hence orders were given to pull up -anchor and sail away to the famous winter resort where all and sundry -kinds of sport might be found. - -With the coming of Jack and Ray on board the yacht, the girls showed -more life and interest in planning to pass the time. Tom felt so much -the senior of the two young men who now vied with him for Polly's -smiles, that he joined his chum John Brewster, and held aloof from the -younger members in the party. Not till Anne reminded him that he was -acting the same mistaken part he had played on board the ocean liner at -the time it docked at Quarantine in New York City, did he rouse himself -to look pleasant and agreeable when Polly danced and laughed with the -friends of her own age. - -The small damage done the yacht in the hurricane, which she had braved -and came out of the victor, was soon attended to by one of the mates who -had been a ship's carpenter before Mr. Dalken's alluring salary had -tempted him to join up on Captain Blake's crew. Long before the White -Crest arrived at Palm Beach the repairs had all been done and the craft -was looking as pert and fresh as any millionaire's vessel within a -radius of twenty miles of the Beach. - -Of all the merry-makers in that party of mariners not one cared very -much what food was served for dinner at the Ponce de Leon, but every one -did take a personal interest in the groups of young people, the life of -society at that gay season in Palm Beach, and the fun they expected to -get out of the visit to the fashionable hotel and the evening hours -spent on shore. - -Eleanor had hinted to Polly that it might be possible that Elizabeth -Dalken would find a number of society friends from New York at the -hotel, and so she did. - -Naturally they came buzzing about her, and, to impress her yachting -associates with her social prestige, she smiled sweetly upon the trio, -and accepted their invitation to go with them. Elizabeth did not deem it -necessary to ask her father's consent to leave his party and attach -herself to that of her newly-found friends from New York; neither did -she hesitate to go with them minus a proper chaperone, although she had -seemed very particular about criticising other girls who may have -overlooked Mrs. Grundy at times. - -As Mr. Dalken was not present in the group when Elizabeth took French -leave, and Mrs. Courtney was not asked about a chaperone for that -evening, the girl hurried away to enjoy herself as she saw best. Mr. -Dalken, returning soon after her departure, seemed amazed that she had -gone, but he said nothing at the time and immediately turned his full -attention to the entertainment of his guests. - -Polly and Eleanor had insisted that the younger members in the party -dress in their very best. This called for Mrs. Courtney and her elderly -friends to dress up to the standard set by the girls. And this, -naturally, compelled the men to give more attention to their evening -clothes and general appearances than they might have done without this -spur from the ladies. Hence it happened that not a single unit of gay -persons at dinner that night in the magnificent hotel could surpass the -appearances of Mr. Dalken's party. As he remarked later: - -"It was to be expected of such an extraordinary bouquet of beautiful -females as I conducted from my yacht. Others might have shown costlier -jewels and handsomer gowns but not one could compete with my flowers -where beauty was the test." - -As it mattered little at what hour the passengers went back to the -yacht, they made the most of this gay evening on shore. John and Anne -Brewster were to leave the party the next day and start back to New York -for a week before returning to Pebbly Pit Ranch. And Tom Latimer, now -that Polly expected to be away from New York for many months, felt -inclined to accompany his friends back to his work at Choko Mines. -Perhaps it was his salvation that Polly decided to take this cruise, -otherwise he may never have found courage or inclination enough to go -back to his mining interests. - -Having danced herself breathless, Polly finally consented to hear Anne's -whispered suggestion that she leave a few moments to Tom before he got -mad and walked back home. With a little laugh Polly sent Jack Baxter a -sorry look and told him to go find Elizabeth for a dancing partner. - -"But I'd rather dance with you, Polly. What is Mrs. Brewster saying to -you that makes you look so remorseful?" replied he. - -"I'm telling Polly of a very urgent duty, Jack, and you know, as well as -I, that you must not monopolize _all_ her time this evening," retorted -Anne. - -"Well, seeing that I am going to be one of the passengers on Dalky's -yacht for a long time, I believe I _will_ release Polly to Tom for a -short time," remarked Jack in a casual tone. - -"Oh! You are not really going on the yacht, are you?" exclaimed Polly. - -"Why? Do you object to my company?" demanded Jack. - -"Oh, no! It will be lots livelier with Ray and you on board. But no one -has mentioned it before, so I naturally thought you and Ray were here -for a short visit at the Beach, then planned to go back to New York to -continue your studies," explained Polly. - -"Well, I'll tell you," said Jack in a thoughtful manner, "I've convinced -Dalky that the great mining interests of the Argentine need my personal -investigation. You must not forget that a great deal of my fortune is -invested in mining shares in South America; and these mining companies -have their central offices at Buenos Aires. Dalky can tell you that a -visit to these brokers, now and then, makes them sit up and take notice -of you. Otherwise they might ignore your dividends, you see." - -Anne jeered at such an explanation for Jack's hurried decision to visit -South America. "I can safely vouch for your remaining in the United -States, were it not for the fact that you find a bevy of pretty girls on -your guardian's yacht too alluring for you to renounce. You plan to get -the most fun out of this cruise and then go your way, leaving a string -of broken hearts behind you. That is the reputation you have, I find." -Anne laughed as she shook a finger at Jack. - -"My reputation for drawing and then breaking hearts can never reach the -championship winner and breaker that Polly is. Who can ever ignore that -European tour when the subject of hearts is being discussed?" Jack shook -his head in pretended sorrow for those rejected suitors on the "Other -Side." - -Polly made an impatient sound with the tip of her tongue against her -white little teeth, and Jack laughed. - -"Just for that I am going without a single word of regret for the dances -I promised you and now withhold," said Polly, turning and running away -to join the group sitting under a great palm on the balcony. - -Here she found Tom moodily talking with John. But the moment Polly -touched him on the shoulder and said: "Are we going for a little walk on -the beach?" he brightened up wonderfully. - -Polly felt that she owed Tom this short time before he would have to -return west on his mining work. Also she felt that she had treated him -too sternly in punishment of his short-comings. Of course, Tom had no -idea that Polly considered his slavish attentions as short-comings. - -As the two sauntered away from the hotel and turned in the direction of -the marvellous beach, Polly began the conversation by remarking, in a -cool, mature manner: "Now don't go and talk of bosh, Tom, just because I -invited you for a stroll." - -"What do you mean by bosh?" demanded Tom, ready with a chip on his -shoulder. - -"Oh, pooh! You know what I mean--your soft talk of love. I just won't -listen to it morning, and night, and at every moment of the day. You are -the dandiest pal with Nolla and Ruth and Nancy--why not with me?" - -Tom wisely held his peace. He could have answered in his own way, but he -knew that would call forth a new tirade against his ideas of possession. -Not having a reply from her escort with which to continue the argument, -Polly found herself shut up on the subject. And wisely she, too, -launched out upon an entirely opposite topic. - -"Some one told Dalky not to stop at Hayti because the natives were so -treacherous to white folks," remarked Polly. "I did so want to see the -Island we hear so much about. I've read of the voodoo religion, and the -way the sacred snake charmers strike terror into the souls of their -congregations, and I'd love to see them." - -"I think Dalken is absolutely right in not taking chances with you girls -in landing at Hayti. Morally the Haytians are not to be trusted. All the -old superstitions of barbaric Africa prevail to such an extent that no -right-minded person wishes to visit there. I am surprised, Polly, that -you can entertain the least desire to see what every one knows to be a -deplorable condition of affairs." Tom spoke in a fatherly way that -caused Polly to smile, but he did not see her face. Perhaps he would not -have continued in the same strain had he thought she was amused instead -of being advised. - -"Yes, Hayti is an unsafe place for civilized women to go to; not only do -the authorities ignore the rights of a people under their government, -but they seem to have no regard for human lives. I recently read an -article in a magazine in which it stated that one unfortunate -circumstance about Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was its convenience -to Hayti--all the escaping criminals and refugees from justice jumped -aboard a sailing craft and in a few hours were landed upon the shores of -that beautiful isle whence they could not be taken except through -extradition papers." - -"How intensely thrilling to me is all this political information. I'm -sure I shall never wish to see a voodoo service after hearing you speak -of government and politics," laughed Polly. - -Tom now turned and stared at the girl. Was she in earnest about saying -she cared nothing for Hayti now, or was she ridiculing his advices? To -keep her companion in doubt as to her motive, Polly changed the subject -again. - -"I shall delight in visiting Jamaica, and Porto Rico, perhaps the -Barbados, before we go through the Panama Canal. Dalky says that, should -it be impossible for a stop at the Barbados on our way down to South -America, he will see that the Captain surely stops there on our return. -Have you any warnings to give concerning the natives of the Caribbean -Isles?" - -"I don't know a thing about them! I never visited Hayti, you know, but I -merely told you what learned and wise men say of it." Tom's tone was not -very sweet, and Polly realized that her last words had offended his -sensitive heart. - -"Let's talk of Pebbly Pit and Choko's Mine," said she with forced joyous -anticipation in her voice. She felt sure she knew all that Tom would say -in order to prove to her that she ought to marry him and live out on the -ranch with her family. This time Tom disappointed her, however. - -"I have nothing new to tell you about Pebbly Pit, because you know as -well as I do that I have been in New York too long to be able to speak -of what may be taking place out on the ranch. But one thing I can speak -of, and even that is not yours or my business, I suppose, and that is -the queer triangle on board the White Crest--do you get me?" - -"A triangle! No, I do not get you, Tom. What is it?" - -"Well, then, I know just as well as if you had told me, that Nolla and -you are match-making between Dalky and Mrs. Courtney. And I might add, -that I can advise you to watch your step, but of course, you will throw -back your head and give me a glance of disdain, hence I will not warn -you. This much I can say, nevertheless, and that is: Look out for -Elizabeth Dalken, if you think Nolla and you can pull little Cupid's bow -and arrows to suit yourselves. You've got the third angle of the -proposition when you have Elizabeth with whom to reckon. She is worldly -wise and she won't hesitate to use every bit of knowledge she possesses -to thwart such a scheme for her father." - -Polly looked serious. "Did you really guess that much? How did you do -it, when Nolla and I have been models of discretion? Not even Dalky or -Mrs. Courtney, or the Fabians dream of the match." - -"Maybe it is because I am so miserably in love myself, that I -intuitively feel for any one else who may be in the same boat." - -Tom's tone and hopeless manner caused Polly intense amusement though she -managed to hide the fact from him. However, she was in earnest now, -regarding this matter about the matchmaking, and she wanted to get Tom's -valuable suggestions on the matter. - -"Well," returned Tom to her anxious questioning, "one always gets into -hot water when matchmaking between two persons, especially if those two -have had a taste of matrimonial troubles. But I know Nolla and you well -enough to see that you will not give up a pet plan until you are driven -to desperation over its failure. With Elizabeth Dalken to frustrate -every tte--tte, or other plans to throw these two mature hoped-for -lovers together, what will you do? Either come out boldly and show your -cards, or call that girl's bluff, or in some way be the means of -shipping her back home." - -"Well, how can we call her bluff when she won't admit us to her -confidence?" asked Polly, eagerly. - -"Watch opportunities! But it will be easier to ship her back home, if -you can get her deeply interested in an objective in going north and -allowing you-all to continue your voyage." - -"Show me the objective and I'll do it! She's getting on everybody's -nerves, as it is. And I verily believe that Dalky is heartily sorry he -had her come," declared Polly. - -"One objective would be to induce her to remain at Palm Beach, now that -she is here with friends, and get her father to give her a sufficient -inducement in cash to tear herself away from the yacht and the -prospective voyage. Another objective might be Jack Baxter. She knows he -is enormously wealthy, and it is her sole aim and ambition to marry a -fortune and a good family name. She would get both in Baxter, but I -doubt if Jack would fall for her. However, if he could be induced to -pose as a cavalier, and cut short his trip to South America, I'm sure -the girl would follow--providing she had a satisfactory chaperone to give -the entire proceeding Mother Grundy's approval." - -Polly frowned down both of the propositions. "She won't remain at Palm -Beach because she has been here too often to have it afford her any -novelty now. On the other hand we can't expect Jack Baxter to place his -head upon the block for execution, just to please us in ridding -ourselves of the girl. Why, Elizabeth might claim Jack as a suitor, and -then drive poor Jack to desperate steps in order to show he is a -gentleman!" - -While they were discussing such weighty matters the two had turned and -were walking back again in the direction of the hotel. Neither one had -seen the moonlight on the sea, nor had they realized that they had -strolled across the hard beach and back again--so full of plans were they -over the little plot for happiness for their two good friends. Now they -came to the Palm Walk again. - -"Where _have_ you two been?" demanded Eleanor, impatiently. - -"We've spent half an hour looking for you. Dalky wants us to find -Elizabeth and start back for the yacht," added Nancy Fabian. - -"We will have no trouble in starting for the yacht, but to find -Elizabeth is quite a different matter," laughed Tom. - -John Brewster now came over to Tom and spoke. "Anne and I are going to -pack our bags and come back on shore to-night, as Dalken says the -Captain wishes to resume the voyage early in the morning. I thought you -would want to get your bag, too, and come back with us. If you prefer -remaining here, Anne says she can pack the suitcase and spare you the -trip." - -"No, thank you! I'll go with you and see as much of Polly as I can, -before leaving her to sail away with no certain future for me in it!" -exclaimed Tom, positively. John smiled. - -The bell-boys having sought about quickly in every direction of the -hotel and gardens returned, one by one, with the reply that Miss -Elizabeth Dalken failed to respond to their calls. Mr. Dalken tipped -each page as he reported to him, and then turned to his friends. -"There's nothing for it, but that I hunt her up myself, and permit you -to go on to the yacht alone. I'll come as soon as I locate my daughter." - -Polly caught a sympathetic glance from Mrs. Courtney's eye in the -direction of the troubled host, then the guests accepted the inevitable -and left the man to seek Elizabeth in every niche and corner of the vast -resort. - -As the group of guests from the White Crest got near to the wharf where -they had left the yacht, they were astonished to see the craft gone. -They looked at each other and then all around to reassure themselves -that they were not dreaming. A young colored night watchman on the dock -saw the wondering expressions on their faces and spoke up. - -"You-all a-lookin' foh dat white yacht from Noo Yoork?" - -"Yes, my boy; what can you tell us about it?" asked Mr. Ashby. - -"Why, not much; onny, 'bout a nour ago, 'long comes a fine pert missy -wid a lot of swells, an' dey gits on bo'hd. Den de skippeh what was lef -to watch the boat, comes off a'fumin' mad, an' says he's goin' to see -'bout dat! I heah's him say somefin not werry nice to free er four dudes -lef' on deck, but dey laffs and waves a han', so off he goes threatenin' -to get the boss on de job to onct! Fust ting I knows, the yacht up and -sails away. I watches, 'cuz I got a stay on dis dock till mawnin' and -keep an eye on decency, an' sure 'nuff, dat boat goes dancing off down -coast. Lots of likker at a certain port dere, yuh see, and swells heah -takes a trip down ebery onct in a while." - -"And you haven't seen a sign of the yacht since then?" demanded Mr. -Ashby, red hectic spots suddenly coming to his cheeks as symbols of his -ire at such high-handed treatment of his friend. - -"Beggin' yur pawdon, suh, but I knows two of dem dudes, an' I doubts if -dey kin sail that yacht back straight to-night, if dey gets what dey -sets out foh gittin. F'om all I heah said, dey went foh jus' such a -time." - -At this disturbing information, Mr. Ashby joined the negro for a moment -and at his advice, turned and said: "Fabian, I'm going back for Dalken, -but what had you-all better do meantime?" Mr. Ashby seemed anxious to -meet his friend before he should come to the dock and learn the news -from others. - -"We will wait here for orders. The yacht may come in while you are gone, -and in that case we will try to straighten out matters, and see that -Elizabeth's friends get quickly out of the way of her father's righteous -indignation." - -The moment Mr. Ashby left, Mrs. Courtney went over to the mulatto youth -and spoke in a low voice. He replied in a tone too low to be heard by -any one but the lady with him. Then she slipped him some money and -returned to her own party. - -"I learned that no older woman was in the party with Elizabeth, but a -young divorcee and the several men who seemed past forty. I had judged -from Elizabeth's uncompromising attitude to us in our disregard to -little matters concerning dinner dress and social nothings, that she -would have been most strict and careful in such a delicate situation as -this which she has brought about." - -Mr. Ashby had secured the names of the ports where those with enough -money might secure liquor in spite of the dry laws, and it was his plan -to hire the fastest car to be had and drive Dalken along the shore until -they found the yacht and the runaways. - -In telling the story to his friend, Mr. Ashby purposely shielded -Elizabeth by making it appear that she was misled by her friends. But -Mr. Dalken was not to be hoodwinked. He was an experienced man of the -world, and he understood present-day flapperdom perfectly. - -"Why take an automobile when we might get a launch and go on their -track? I'm sure the launch would prove best, and it may be possible to -find a large enough power launch to accommodate our party. Then we need -not return to this hateful place. We can ship back the society cads in -the launch and go on our way as planned." Mr. Dalken seemed to consider -the case with more coolness and sense than his friend had done. - -"What about John and Anne and Tom? They expected to go ashore here, -after getting their bags. And how about the crew?" - -"John and Anne and Tom can leave us at Miami as well as at Palm Beach. -As for the crew; the Captain's orders were for every man to be on hand -at the yacht at twelve. It is now past the time, and doubtless they will -be waiting on the dock," explained Mr. Dalken, having looked at his -watch and then slipped it back into his pocket. - -As predicted, the crew were all at the dock, standing in small groups; -the Captain stood with Mr. Fabian, wondering what would be the outcome -of this escapade. Mr. Dalken seemed perfectly cool and self-possessed as -he called to the Captain. - -"Get a craft at once--large enough to take us all. You understand, -Captain Blake, that price is nothing now!" - -The same negro youth, who had been the informer in the first place, now -spoke up. "I knows whar you-all kin hire a fine big gaserline launch--my -boss rents it out ebery day. I kin sen' yuh dere." - -Giving Captain Blake minute directions to find the boat which was not -far off, the negro gladly pocketed another windfall of money from the -owner of the White Crest. - -In less than twenty minutes the launch came alongside the wharf and its -owner stepped out. "It's the quickest and safest boat in Florida. Many's -the trip I takes to Havana during the season." - -Thus the weary party gladly got into the launch, and its owner started -on the way to seek for and find the White Crest. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING - - -Conversing pleasantly, and smoking one cigar after another, Mr. Dalken -offered no cause for one to think he was boiling within, or that he was -contemplating a severe correction for his daughter Elizabeth. But Mr. -Ashby knew him so well that he would have felt more at ease had his -friend expressed a little impatience and annoyance at the unexpected -trick played by the girl. - -The men in the party sat with the owner who drove the great launch -through the calm waters, but ever and anon he swerved suddenly to avoid, -as he said, reefs of coral hidden by the wavelets. He skirted the coast -because they needed to keep a watchful lookout for the yacht which might -have anchored at one of the many tiny inlets along the shore, where -bootleggers thrived during the great social season in the South. - -The yacht's crew sat in the stern of the boat, but the ladies were -comfortably at rest in the small saloon. There was but one absorbing -thought and subject for them: what would be Elizabeth's punishment when -her father could judge her heedless act? - -After stopping at several small ports, where it seemed likely they would -find the White Crest at anchor with other crafts from the winter -resorts, the owner of the launch remarked to Captain Blake: - -"If they went to Satan's Kitchen, they must'a had some wise birds along. -Only the old hands dare go there and get their drinks. And the stuff is -rank pizen, at that! Nuthin' but liquid fire. Two or three young fools -got knocked out by taking this bootlegger's vile whiskey, and one feller -cashed in his checks." - -The Captain made no reply, but it was not necessary. - -"Satan's Kitchen is a coupla miles in an inlet what dips in from the -shore line at Delray. We won't be able to see the yacht from outside, -but that's whar we're bound to find the runaways, I'm thinking." - -"All right--drive in and we'll soon know," ordered Mr. Dalken, taking -command for the first time since leaving Palm Beach. - -Shortly after this the launch made a graceful curve and chugged -carefully through shallow waters until it came to the narrow inlet -mentioned by the captain of the boat. Having gone a very short distance -inside this inlet, those on deck soon saw the White Crest anchored near -a strip of glistening sandy beach. A rough pier of old planks ran out to -the deep water in order to accommodate those who wished to land. Here -the launch stopped. - -"No, take us to the yacht. I wish to see my guests safely on board my -own boat, and the crew in their places. Then if the other party is still -on shore you may carry me back to this pier," commanded Mr. Dalken. - -Without any confusion or other sound than the subdued chug of the engine -of the launch, the transfer of the party was made. Only the few sailors -who had been left on the yacht that evening were found on board, so Mr. -Dalken got back into the launch and was about to start for the pier when -Mrs. Courtney urged Mr. Ashby to go with him. - -"You see, no one can tell what may happen in such a place as this -Satan's Kitchen. Dalky is cool now, but what may he be should he find -cause for chastising the men who dared to plan this runaway?" - -Therefore, without asking his friend's consent, Mr. Ashby jumped back -into the launch and the boat started away. Those left on board the yacht -learned that the Captain had orders to start out at once, and wait about -half a mile off the shore. The launch would pick up the yacht there and -transfer the owner and his friend. - -To the anxious group of friends on the yacht it seemed that a long time -had elapsed before they could hear the chugging of the returning launch, -but in reality it was hardly half an hour from the time that Mr. Dalken -and his friend Ashby had left the White Crest before they returned. -Elizabeth Dalken was with them, but not a sign of any one of her -companions on the recent excursion was to be seen. - -Elizabeth, in moody silence, ran up the steps and went directly to her -room. Mr. Dalken paid the owner of the launch and said in a tone that -carried its own pointed meaning: "You comprehend that I am paying you -for the hire of this craft until noon to-morrow?" - -[Illustration: ELIZABETH, IN MOODY SILENCE, RAN UP THE STEPS.] - -"I get you, Boss," returned the man, bowing seriously. "Anyway, even if -you were not so generous in your pay, I have no likings for such -passengers who know better but act like sots." - -"All right. Start back for Palm Beach. I'll follow in your wake." So -saying Mr. Dalken stepped aboard his own craft and waved the owner of -the launch to proceed northward on his return trip. - -Mr. Ashby said not a word of explanation to the curious friends waiting -on deck, but Mr. Dalken spoke freely as if they were entitled to the -story. - -"We found just about the sort of scene as I expected to see at that den. -Those men in the party, easily ten years my senior, only used the -hare-brained divorcee and the younger girls as a means to obtain their -end--that of running my yacht to the place where they knew they could get -all the vile liquor they craved. Once there, they never gave a thought -as to how their companions might fare. Hence I took my girl and left -them to work it out as they saw best. There is no trolley or other -transportation method of leaving the place, other than by boat or -automobile, and of the latter there was none to be hired. I may have -been a bit severe on the other young women in the party, but they should -have taken all favorable conditions into consideration before they -consented to run away with another man's valuable property, in order to -satisfy an abnormal curiosity about a notorious locality. I am thankful -to say that I have saved _my_ property from the scandal which would be -sure to follow on the heels of a scrape such as those men I saw at -Satan's Kitchen are certain to rouse at one of their orgies. Now, -however, it will be necessary for me to return to Palm Beach and prove -that my yacht and my friends were anchored at the wharf till morning, -and that Elizabeth and I were at the hotel at the dance." - -Mr. Dalken excused himself after concluding his explanation, and went to -his daughter's room to escort her to the hotel. - -The interested colored man who had given Mr. Dalken the valuable -information regarding the men who had taken possession of the White -Crest without the owner's consent or knowledge, now watched curiously as -Mr. Dalken and his daughter left the craft and walked in the direction -of the hotel. - -The crowds were already thinning out on the ball-room floor, but enough -representatives of society still remained to dance to the last note of -the orchestra. As fortune had it, one of Mr. Dalken's well-known friends -and his family was present and saw the financier as soon as he stepped -upon the floor to dance with Elizabeth. - -"There's Dalken and his daughter--remember we had him to dinner in -Washington when I first took my Seat?" whispered the gentleman to his -wife. - -A reporter for a New York paper stood near and overheard the remark. -Instantly he made a note of it and drew nearer to his source of -information. He heard the Representative speak of the White Crest and -the cruise, and he decided to look up the yacht and its owner in the -morning. - -Not a word was spoken between Mr. Dalken and his daughter after they -left the hotel and boarded the yacht. No one was in sight on deck and -the owner accompanied Elizabeth to her room and went in behind her. Then -he closed the door and turned to have a word with her. - -He spoke tenderly at first, but she ignored him completely and refused -to answer his questions. Finally he said sternly: "Elizabeth, I wish you -to answer my questions in regard to this escapade." - -"Well, I don't care if you do! I do not have to speak to you unless I -wish to!" snapped she. - -"I am your father, and I represent your guardian in the law. I am -responsible, to a certain extent, for all your wrong-doings, hence I -demand that you tell me how you came to go to that vile den where I -found you with those despicable men." - -Elizabeth stared defiantly at her father, then she remarked: "You may -demand, but I do not need to reply." - -Mr. Dalken then tried to show her what a risk she had taken in going to -a place where a murder or other crime was apt to happen at any moment if -one of the habitues became too drunk to control himself. - -Elizabeth narrowed her eyelids and looked at her father in a manner that -reminded him unpleasantly of her mother whenever she had been cornered -in a scandalous situation. Then the girl spoke drawlingly. - -"You are such a fossil when it comes to social matters! Why, there isn't -a girl I know who would not give her head to have been in my shoes -to-night. But how can you know that two of those men are the finest -catches of the season. Henri Aspinwall is a multi-millionaire from South -America, and James Stickney is one from New York. I had both of them at -my feet this evening, and then you came to ruin my prospects of a -proposal!" Elizabeth actually wept tears of mortification at her -father's untimely appearance in Satan's Kitchen. - -Mr. Dalken gasped in sheer unbelief. "Do you mean to say you _knew_ -those two men? Did you know they were divorced by their wives for their -disreputable living?" - -"How silly you are! Reputations are nothing in these liberal times, -because divorce is so convenient. Those two men have money and the most -charming personalities. That is why their wives can't live with -them--they are generally so shabby looking and are fiercely jealous of -the attentions paid their husbands by appreciative women. Naturally, men -like Henri or James are too popular for their fogy wives, hence the -divorces, you know!" - -"Why, Elizabeth, you are positively shocking! I cannot believe you are -not yet twenty and my own child! Where have you acquired all this -nightmare of experience in such things?" Mr. Dalken's voice trembled -with emotion over the girl's short-comings. - -"Really, father, one might think _you_ were a saint, from the way you -are trying to preach to me!" sneered Elizabeth. - -"Far be it from me to pose as a saint, but at least I know I am a -clean-minded man, and I demand that my daughter act as a young lady -should, while she is in my charge," was Mr. Dalken's stern reply. - -"I suppose you would invite me to model my behavior after such country -clods as Miss Brewster, or take for my example such flippant nobodies as -Eleanor Maynard from Chicago?" scorned Elizabeth, tossing her head. -"Why, I knew them both at school in New York, and I must say that not a -girl in society would deign to cast a glance at either of them now. They -are absolutely too impossible to stand on any rung of the social ladder, -and not even the commonest plane of society in New York would consider -them." - -"I am ashamed to hear you say so. It goes to prove how low the social -standard has fallen. In fact, I may add, that the standard of a once -decent period must have been dragged through the mire, of late times, to -present such views as you entertain as its highest aspirations." Mr. -Dalken's words were cutting and Elizabeth resented them. - -"Well, I am sorry to remind you, sir, that men who can shamelessly turn -their backs upon the obligations of a wife and daughter and go after -such women as you prefer to call your friends, are the very ones who -smirch society's fair standard and then stand up and denounce it as -having fallen." - -Sheer astonishment and shocked soul of Mr. Dalken kept him silent after -Elizabeth concluded her statement. Finding he failed to reply, she added -sarcastically: - -"If my dear mother but knew the type of woman she might have to call her -successor to such marital felicity as you deprived _her_ of when she -called herself Mrs. Dalken, she would not concern herself to save you -from such a degradation!" - -Finally Mr. Dalken found his powers of speech. "What under the sun are -you driving at, you little vixen!" - -Elizabeth tossed her head and laughed a harsh, cold laugh. "How innocent -we are, eh, Dad? To hear you _now_, and to see you with Mrs. Courtney -when others are about one would say you two were not enjoying the -tte--ttes she so wisely plans for you. But how can one expect -anything otherwise? You left mother in order to live your life of -selfish pleasure, and this woman turned her back on her husband and her -own country, because she could no longer appear in decent society in -London, and now it seems quite natural for you two to find mutual -consolation in the companionship of each other. Poor Mamma!" - -As Elizabeth spoke, Mr. Dalken got upon his feet and stood with head -held high. The moment she had concluded, she glanced spitefully up at -him, but his expression cowed her for a moment. When he found his voice -he said coldly, but with dire meaning for the girl: - -"You will see to it that your luggage is ready to leave this yacht in -the morning. You may return to New York to your 'poor mamma' as soon as -possible, and tell her that no further allowances are to be expected -from me, and henceforth no machinations from her will be allowed to be -tried on me. I shall call upon the law to defend me from future attacks, -both personally and in every other way. I will bid you good-morning, -Elizabeth, and I will look for you directly after breakfast." With that -Mr. Dalken left the girl alone. - -"Well, thank heavens, he is gone!" grumbled Elizabeth to herself, as the -door closed upon her father's heels. Then she calmly removed her lovely -gown and threw it upon the floor and suddenly stamped upon it. Such a -squall of temper in one who, a moment before had seemed calm, was -surprising. - -"The nasty wasp! How I hate her sweet smile and honeyed words. As if she -could fool me with her acting! Why, not a woman I know pretends to be so -gracious and altogether wonderful as that horrid Courtney!" But -Elizabeth failed to take into consideration that, when one lived in -earnest, no acting could seem as real as the genuine thing. - -"Well, I shall be well rid of this Sunday-school group!" continued the -girl, as she sat down and pulled off her satin slippers and beautiful, -embroidered, silk stockings. "Once I get my things off the yacht and am -located in one of the nice suites at the Hotel, I shall lay my plans for -the conquest of James Stickney. Oh, won't mother squeal with joy when -she hears of my conquest! To be Mrs. Stickney and spend his money will -be worth all the dreadful days I have had to waste on board this boat!" - -Thus, as she disrobed and prepared for bed, Elizabeth smiled even while -she planned her social campaign at Palm Beach during the time which -would elapse until she heard from her mother. - -But Elizabeth never dreamed of the actual plan she would be compelled to -accept on the morrow. She had no idea that her father meant exactly what -he had said when he threatened never to contribute more to her -ease-loving support and the monthly bills which seemed beyond all reason -to him. Hitherto he had paid all accounts without a protest. - -Had she dreamed that she was to be packed off for New York under the -chaperonage of Anne Brewster and her husband, with no opportunity to -send word to her friends at Palm Beach, and without a dollar in her -pocket with which to wire her mother of her ignominious treatment--such -it was in her estimation--she might have tried to escape that very night. - -Not long after nine o'clock in the morning, therefore, Mr. Dalken was -asked to see the reporter and tell him such items of personal news as -would interest the readers of the New York daily. Contrary to precedent, -Mr. Dalken invited the man to breakfast with him while he told him a -long story. How he was taking this cruise with his intimate friends for -a rest and his health. How he had persuaded his daughter to accompany -them as far as Palm Beach, and how he danced with her even to the last -waltz at the hotel. Then he spoke regretfully of how she would have to -return to New York that day, as social interests could not spare her for -a continued cruise. "Oh, yes! Of course she will be accompanied on the -journey. Our very dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Brewster, part owners in -Choko Gold Mines, you know, are also going North with their friend, Mr. -Latimer. I had all I could do to get these three friends to come as far -as Palm Beach with us. Now they and my daughter cannot give us another -day." - -"The rumor got started in some strange way that a party of undesirable -guests at the hotel captured your yacht and daughter and sailed away to -Satan's Kitchen last night," ventured the reporter. "Did you know of the -escapade, or were they back before you found it out?" - -"My dear fellow! Of what _are_ you speaking? I can prove conclusively -that we arrived at the hotel in time for dinner and that we remained -until the very last dance. Why, I met an old friend in the ball-room -just as I was about to leave. Members of my party left at different -times during the evening, but they are free to go and come as they -choose while we are on this cruise, you know." - -Mr. Dalken was all guileless confidence with the reporter and that -worthy felt sure the report had been started as a bit of scandal in high -life. Then his host suddenly seemed to remember an item which might -explain such a sorry story. - -"Perhaps that twisted version of the matter started because we had -planned to sail away after midnight, leaving the four in my party to go -back to New York to-day. But they all remained dancing to such an hour -that it seemed absurd for any one to pack their bags and leave the yacht -at that hour, so I advised all to sleep late and the yacht would wait -till at dawn as had been planned. - -"You see, my friends heartily enjoyed the hospitality of your -magnificent hotels to such an extent that they are all fast asleep in -their rooms. I am the only early bird on deck this morning, but then I -only danced a _few_ dances with my daughter just before the orchestra -said good-night." - -The reporters smiled politely and secured a few treasured items of -social interest regarding the dances Mr. Dalken preferred, and the hour -he left the ball-room with his friends, and anything else he might care -to tell them for publication. - -He shook his head. "Nothing happens when one sails on a friendly little -voyage with choice companions--that is, anything of interest to society; -because no one in my party belongs to society and we never bother about -its concerns. But, my dear young men, I am now deeply concerned in -getting off on our cruise, and you must really excuse me from continued -conversation, unless you care to be carried to Havana with us." - -The reporters, having secured all the information they were after, -obediently bid their host good-morning and left the yacht. Once they -were safely out of the way, Mr. Dalken had the chef serve breakfast on -deck for those who would get up and eat. - -John and Anne Brewster, Tom Latimer and Polly, and Mrs. Courtney were -the only ones to respond to the call. The former three guests were -dressed for travel, and Polly was up in order to say a last goodby to -her family members and to Tom. Mrs. Courtney was an early riser no -matter what time she went to sleep and she now seemed as bright and -fresh as if she had had the usual quota of sleep instead of but four -hours at the dawning of the day. - -Immediately after breakfast Mr. Dalken gave Anne a sealed letter and -said impressively: "Now remember, my dear Mrs. Brewster, to follow all -my instructions to the letter, whether Elizabeth wishes it or not. She -is still in my charge, even though I appoint you a deputy to guard her -till she is placed safely in her mother's care once more. I do not -anticipate any rebellion before she reaches New York, but she may decide -to bolt once she finds herself on familiar ground again. However, I made -it quite plain to her last night, that she is the arbiter of her own -future if she disobeys me in one least thing after being placed in your -care." - -Thus Polly learned to her amazement that Elizabeth was destined to leave -the yacht and return in disgrace to her mother. But the news did not -cause any regret, rather did it make her rejoice that dear Dalky would -be freed from such a thorn in his side for the rest of the trip. - -Mrs. Courtney maintained an inscrutable expression that defied Polly's -reading of her thoughts. Whether she had known of this plan to send -Elizabeth back to New York when Anne Brewster went, or whether the news -surprised her even as it had Polly, could not be said. But Polly met -Tom's eyes and saw a gleam of relief there. - -The breakfast ended and a member of the crew who had been despatched on -shore to ascertain exactly when the Washington Express would leave, now -came on deck and saluted. He handed his employer a paper, and Mr. Dalken -turned to John and Tom. - -"The car is waiting at the end of the pier. I'll get my daughter and -place her in your charge, then escort you all to the automobile." - -Turning to the sailor, he added: "Jim, did the trunk get off all right?" - -"Yes'sa, an' I expressed it, myself, straight through to Noo York, sa." - -"Very good. Now wait at the foot of the steps till we come." - -Mr. Dalken went away and Polly turned to Mrs. Courtney. - -"Don't you think it will be more agreeable for Dalky if we are not here -when he comes back with Elizabeth?" - -"Yes, Polly, I agree with you. We will say our goodbys now, friends, and -hurry away from here," replied Mrs. Courtney. - -The farewells were not prolonged, therefore, and Tom found he was -short-circuited in his plans to have a lover's tte--tte with the girl -he adored so devotedly. John and Anne had their good hugs and kisses -from Polly, and then she turned quickly to Tom and extended her hand. - -"Goodby, Tom, old friend. Take good care of Anne and see that she -doesn't worry herself to a frazzle over Elizabeth Dalken and her social -tricks." With a hasty shake of his hand, Tom found Polly was running -away to the rear end of the yacht where she could enter without coming -face to face with any one coming from the main door. - -Mrs. Courtney had said her farewells and was following Polly when Mr. -Dalken came from the door which opened to the saloon. Elizabeth was -closely veiled and dressed in a plain tailormade suit. Without a spoken -word to any one she went directly to the stairs that led down to the -wharf. The other four adults followed her and soon all were seated in -the waiting limousine. - -Polly could not help peeping out from her retreat at the back entrance -to the companionway, and when she saw the automobile drive away she -sighed with relief. "There go the two troubles of my life--one whom I -despise, and one whom I am not sure about adoring or hating!" - -From this honest confession of Polly's it can be readily surmised that -she was not head over heels in love with Tom. - -In less than half an hour's time Mr. Dalken came on board his yacht -again and immediately gave orders to sail. Even as the Captain obeyed -and placed the distance of a rod or so between the craft and the pier, a -sprinting reporter reached the wharf to take a snap-shot of the White -Crest. - -Mr. Dalken watched him with grim satisfaction. He then murmured to -himself: "Well, that's all _you_ got out of your run!" - -Later he remarked casually to Polly and Mrs. Courtney, when they -happened to be alone after luncheon: "Our friends just caught the -Express as it was about to pull out. The conductor saw us making for it -and he very obligingly held up the train a moment. Naturally, no one was -present to interview us about this hasty departure for the North, and -only one solitary reporter saw me returning in the car. He failed to -reach me in time!" - -But their host did not add that he had used every influence possible to -insure the success of his plan: to reach the train at the very minute of -departure, and then see his daughter off before she could get in touch -with any friends at Palm Beach. The conductor exchanged a friendly but -knowing look with the financier as the four travelers boarded the train, -and Mr. Dalken stood watching it pull out. - -"Well, children, now we're off on the second lap of our adventures," -laughingly called Mr. Dalken, as he waited in vain for a remark to his -last statement. His happy tone then brought forth glad and eager -questionings as to Cuba, Hayti, and the other Isles of the West Indies. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE HAVANA RACE COURSE - - -As the yacht danced on its way to Havana, the voyagers began to take a -renewed interest in the cruise. At first the departure of four of the -party caused a dignified silence, particularly as Elizabeth Dalken's -going had been brought about by her recent disgrace and her father's -intense displeasure. It created rather an uncomfortable feeling when the -guests all went on deck that noon. - -John Baxter and his chum decided that this atmosphere must be dispelled -immediately, hence they began their self-appointed task and soon had -every one merry and eager to forget the unpleasantness of the previous -night's experience. - -Havana proved to be a great fund of excitement and fun for the young -members in the party; John Baxter had spent several weeks in that -hospitable city and knew just where to go and what to see, hence the day -was given to every kind of sightseeing. That evening Jack returned his -party to the yacht, and proposed another visit to the city on the -morrow. Mr. Dalken listened. - -"They're going to have one of their famous horse races at the big course -to-morrow, Dalky, and I told your guests that it would be well worth -seeing. Even if they do not bet on the horses, they will enjoy seeing -the stunts the natives do in order to get in first. Let's tie up to this -wharf until to-morrow night, instead of going on our way to-night." - -As the vote showed the majority were inclined to stop over for the -races, the Captain was notified that the yacht would not resume her trip -until the next evening. - -That night, after dinner had been enjoyed on deck, Mr. Dalken proposed a -stroll through the "White Light Way" of Havana. This was received with -acclaim and in another moment the ladies were gone for their hats and -light evening wraps. Soon all were walking up the street leading from -the pier, and eagerly discussing the change in the looks of the city by -night. - -Half the people they met were visitors from the States, and most of -those were from New York, or the large cities of the Atlantic coast -states. Everywhere on bill-boards, on walls of buildings, and up high on -the roofs of houses, the advertising of the morrow's horse racing was -posted. Now and then the men in the party were accosted and invited to -book their wagers for the races. But Mr. Dalkin shook his head and -advised John and Ray to refuse all offers to double and triple their -gains by booking that night. - -After visiting many interesting places, the yacht-party entered a famous -cafe for supper. Dancing in all of its wildest and most sensuous forms -was demonstrated by Spanish beauties with little idea of propriety; the -very abandon of their poses and the flashing glances they sent the -American men in the visiting parties proved how faint were the ties that -held them to respectability. - -"Shall we try a dance?" asked Jack Baxter of Polly. She glanced at Mrs. -Courtney with a questioning expression. - -"Better not, Jack. These dancing girls and their Spanish cavaliers are -only too willing to pick an acquaintance with any one who appears to -have money. Dancing here might prepare the way for familiarity, for you -actually descend to their plane in taking the floor while they are on -it," advised Mrs. Courtney. - -"That sounds a little far-fetched, Lady Fair, but I will abide by your -commands," laughed Jack, though he was keen to get out on the superb -floor and dance to the inspiring music. - -Not five minutes later Mrs. Courtney had her quiet little revenge on -Jack for his light laugh at her advice. - -Ray and Eleanor had not waited to hear Mrs. Courtney's hint about -dancing, and had enjoyed the waltz to the utmost till the orchestra -concluded the piece. An encore loudly continued induced the musicians to -resume the waltz. But a handsome Spaniard approached Eleanor who was -standing with Ray at one end of the hall, and bowing politely offered -his arm to finish the dance with her. - -Eleanor flushed confusedly and Ray haughtily stared at the daring young -man, then turned on his heel and tried to escort Eleanor to her party -which was seated at one of the balcony tables. Polly, Jack, and Mrs. -Courtney were watching the episode, and Polly murmured: "Glad I wasn't -in Noll's shoes! I'd have spoken my mind to the fellow." - -No sooner had Eleanor found her friends than Mrs. Courtney got up and -said: "Are we ready to return to the White Crest?" - -And those who had witnessed the incident of Eleanor's experience with -the strange Cuban man instantly followed Mrs. Courtney's lead. - -The next day proved to be one of almost unbearable tropical heat. The -tourists found it necessary to drive to the race-course in rickety old -carriages, because Jack had forgotten to engage automobiles for his -party and other American sportsmen had anticipated the demand and had -commandeered every form of auto to be found. - -Mid merry jests and amused calls to each other, the girls managed to -finally dispose themselves in the worn-cushioned, shaky seats of the -century old victorias, and at last Jack decided they were ready to -start. - -As these vehicles carry but few passengers at a time, it was necessary -for so large a party to have four carriages, one after the other, as in -a parade. The dark drivers grinned and displayed glistening white teeth -at the wind-fall which would come their way that day, in driving these -New Yorkers to the races. - -The Dalken party was rattled along under long avenues of bamboo trees; -past crowds of native holiday makers dressed in all their gala finery, -who waved and shouted joyously at every passing vehicle; through banana -plantations where the road led over slight knolls, or down through woods -to ford a stream where the wheels of the laden carriages threatened to -sink to the hubs in sand; then up again and over a dusty road where the -heavy hoofs of the lazy horses caused choking clouds of dust to settle -upon the passengers crowded so uncomfortably in the small equipages. - -Finally the leading carriage in which sat Jack and Polly, with Mrs. -Courtney as chaperone, reached a fenced in area where a number of -uniformed guards tried to keep peepers from securing their view of the -races for nothing. The darky driver knew exactly where to halt, and then -he held out his hand for his fee. - -"You wait here where we can find you after the races," said Jack, -without a move to take any money from his pocket. - -"Ah, no! You get drive here, me get money for it," retorted the driver. - -"But I hired you for the entire afternoon! You have only fulfilled part -of the contract. When you deliver us at the wharf I pay in full," -explained Jack. - -Meanwhile Mr. Dalken had been having the same experience, but he paid -the fee without stopping to consider the reason for the untimely demand. -Finally, Jack's driver capitulated and resigned himself to the -inevitable, and his three passengers hurriedly joined the rest of their -party. - -Jack came up just as Mr. Dalken counted out the last bill. - -"Good gracious, Dalky! Don't tell me you paid him!" called Jack, -impatiently. - -"The fellow was ready to call one of those ridiculous policemen over and -arrest me," explained Mr. Dalken. - -"He'd have done nothing of the sort! Now you will have to walk back or -crowd in with us. That rascal will hang about here until after the races -end, then pick up the highest bidder for his rickety old chaise back to -the city. If he had been made to wait for his fee he would have been too -glad to take you back as agreed upon." - -"Never mind, Dalky, you shall sit upon my knee!" laughed Eleanor, -teasingly. - -"You may regret this kindly offer, Nolla, when the long dusty trip -begins," retorted Mr. Dalken. - -But further argument on the situation was interrupted by a vendor of -cocoanut juice. Closely following this peddler came a bookmaker who had -been forbidden an entrance to the course. He was sent the way of the -vendor of drinks; and then came a gayly garbed black who invited the -party to win great stakes at a new game--but it was merely a decoy of the -three-card monte gamble. - -Accompanied on both sides by barkers for refreshments, by touts, and by -every sort of vendor of anything salable, the Dalken party finally found -it possible to reach the entrance gate. Soon after passing through here, -the troublesome peddlers were left behind, but a new form of buzzard -came to annoy. These were the professional bookmakers and licensed -gamblers who hoped to turn a dishonest dollar their way. - -In threading a trail to the Grand Stand, Jack led his party past family -groups that sat under the trees and picnicked gayly until the gong -should call all to the roped-off line that marked the course. The Grand -Stand, painted white and decked in many-hued flags of friendly nations, -was reached after many side-steppings and turns. Here the girls found -army officers, professional men from Havana, and a tableau of -fashionably dressed women with fans and parasols galore. - -As the horses were paraded past the Grand Stand, and their gayly decked -black jockeys acknowledged the waving hands and applause of the ladies -to their favorites in the race, Polly turned to Eleanor and said: "Dear -me, I wish I could bet!" - -"You can," returned Eleanor. "Let's call Jack and tell him." - -Jack heard and grinned. "Which is your favorite, Poll?" - -"See this one on the programme--his name is Will o' the Wisp. Such a -pretty name!" - -"Hoh, but he is absolutely no good!" declared Jack. "He's only entered -because they need filling the list on that race. No one will bet on him. -The odds are ridiculous." - -"I don't care what they say, I'm going to bet five dollars on him," -asserted Polly. - -"But, dear girl, have you seen the scrawny beast! Look out there and see -him shambling along after all the others," argued Jack. - -Polly looked. Yes, she admitted that he was a sorry-looking steed for a -race, but still she insisted upon her choice. A man was found who -laughed scornfully as he took her bet--Polly would lose her five without -a doubt. But she shook her head and said knowingly: - -"No, you will be the one to lose thirty-five dollars, I'm sure!" With a -sympathetic laugh the man went his way. - -Eleanor's wager was almost as bad, because she chose her favorite on -account of appearances. The horse was beautiful, to be sure, but he had -no record and consequently no bidding in his favor. - -False starts were repeatedly made, and the impatient jockeys had to come -back and begin again. Finally the judge really dropped the flag and they -were off! - -Then were heard excited calls, shrill cries from anxious watchers, and, -as the horses circled the course, the tense urgings of men who had -staked all on a favorite, became more thrilling until the home lap came -in view. Then Jack's party were treated to a real Havana picture of a -race. - -The jockeys in purple and gold, green and red, pink and violet, and -other combinations of colors, sat humped over their mounts and urged -them to the utmost. Every jockey, as he neared the Grand Stand, shouted -excitedly and switched his horse into greater effort. But all eyes -seemed glued to a miracle! - -Will o' the Wisp, pitied and ridiculed at the start of the races, -carrying a faded-looking jockey who clung with his knees to the sides of -his horse but used no whip, had crept up to his leaders before half the -course had been covered. Gradually but surely he went on creeping up -until he came beside the last horse in the string. But he did not stop -there. He crept on until he had passed that horse and then left him at -the very tail of the line. One by one he came nose to nose with and then -passed all contestants in the race until he reached the leader of them -all. Just as easily as he had crept up and passed the others, so he came -on and passed the leader, and finally let himself out on the home run. - -The mobs were breathless. Not a hurrah or cry of encouragement sounded -while Will O' the Wisp nosed ahead of the favorite in the lead, but when -he loped out ahead of them all and stretched his neck to widen the -distance between the favorite and himself, the excited crowds gave vent -to one long shrill yell of delight! That was a race worth seeing, no -matter how many dollars were lost on the books! - -Polly seemed to be one of a very few who had wagered anything on Will o' -the Wisp, but her friends declared she must understand horseflesh better -than they to have so quickly picked the winner. - -The bookmaker who had felt sorry for the misguided girl, now came over -to pay his loss, but he wore a far different expression than one he had -expected to wear. Polly accepted her winnings with a serious manner, but -once the bookmaker was out of hearing, she said, "I really cannot keep -this money because I think it is wrong to gamble on horses that way, so -I will donate it to the Havana Hospital when we get back to town." - -As Jack had feared, when they came out of the Grand Stand and emerged -from the race-course, the jehu whom Mr. Dalken had paid off had found an -alluring fare to take home, and the three who had come out in that -vehicle found it necessary to accept the hospitality of their friends -and crowded into the already crowded surreys. However it made the ride -to the yacht all the merrier, and once the pier was reached the drivers -found it feasible to collect heavy toll for extra passengers they had -had to carry. - -The tax was paid, but Jack said angrily: "I never did see such grafters -as they have in Havana. One can't lift an eye-lash without being made to -pay for it!" - -That evening the Captain continued his course along the coast of Cuba. -The wonderful air, laden with sweet perfumes of the tropical plants that -caused the indented coastline to look like a fringed garment upon the -smooth silvery waters, made the tourists feel languid and only too -willing to loll upon deck and watch the swiftly passing panorama of the -island. - -The Captain planned to pass between Cuba and Hayti, to reach the harbor -at Kingston, Jamaica, the next stopping place for the travelers. But the -younger members in the party clamored for a sight of Port au Prince and -its motley citizens. - -"You'll find that Island anything but a desirable place to visit," -objected Mr. Fabian, when he heard the plans. - -"So Tom Latimer said, but we want to see the worshippers of the sacred -serpents," said Eleanor. - -"You won't see anything of the sort," remonstrated Mr. Dalken. "They -keep all such performances secret from civilized people. About the only -thing you will find, however, is a city rich in vice and unhealthy with -filth. You'll see blacks and half-breeds mince along the streets dressed -in the very latest Parisian fashions, with the manners of western -outlaws, and the morals of a dive dweller." - -"In other words, my girls, a place we cannot allow you to visit," was -Mrs. Courtney's conclusive remark. So that settled all hope of visiting -Hayti. - -Long before the yacht reached Hayti, however, the younger members of the -party were anxious to reach Kingston, where Jack described such alluring -attractions. Little coaxing was necessary to persuade Mr. Dalken to -anchor at Kingston for a few days in order to give the tourists ample -time to visit all the places worth seeing. - -Then, at last, the White Crest passed within a stone's throw of -Port-au-Prince, and leaving the Island of Hayti behind, made a straight -course for Jamaica. - -Skirting along the low-lying, palm-treed shores of this beautiful isle, -the watching group on the yacht found it rather warm pastime on deck -with the tropical sun burning blisters on the hand-rails of the boat, -and reflecting in all its power the burning rays as they struck the -smooth, mirror-like sea. - -Suddenly, without warning of any kind, a darkness fell and the sun -disappeared. Down came the rain in a regular deluge that sent everyone -pell mell into the saloon for shelter. The waterfall continued for about -ten minutes, then abated and suddenly, once more, the sun shone forth as -hot as ever. - -Exercise was intolerable in this climate, and the guests on board the -White Crest found the only agreeable pastime to be a comfortable chair -on deck where one could watch the flying fish, the pretty little -nautilus gliding past, and the dolphin play and jump in the transparent -depths of the sea. At times a hungry shark would follow the boat, -looking for the garbage thrown out by the cook. - -That night there was the last of the full moon, but what a different -moon from that as seen in New York! A few hours after sighting the -lighthouse on Morant Point, the watchers saw the first peaks of the Blue -Mountains. The yacht sped past sugar plantations, low-roofed, -silvery-white houses, glistening roads--glistening in the moonbeams--and -wonderful groves of cocoanut or banana palms whose tall fronds waved a -welcome to the girls. - -Passing along six miles of the coral ridge one does not realize how near -is Kingston, hidden by the strip of reef, until, quite suddenly, you -discover the town. It is entirely hemmed in by its mountains, and on -only one side approached by the beautiful lagoon through the waters of -which the White Crest now danced to reach the mystical-looking place -situated about six miles away, at the end of the harbor. - -That night the yacht made fast to a wooden quay where black-faced, -white-teethed men awaited the coming of the rich quarry. Not often did -they have such a fine craft come to Kingston, and each and every son of -the soil planned how to fleece the members of the party. But all were -doomed to disappointment for that night, as the time being almost -midnight, Mr. Dalken said no one would go ashore, until the morning. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--LOST IN KINGSTON - - -Directly after breakfast the next morning, Mr. Dalken and his guests, -having first agreed to meet on the yacht that evening at seven for -dinner, made ready to start on a tour of inspection. - -The girls in light summer dresses, had donned their wide-brimmed hats, -and taken sun-shades for protection from the sun; and the men had -dressed in white flannels and Panama hats, in order to keep as cool as -possible. - -"One last word," advised Mr. Dalken, as Jack stood ready to lead his -party to the wharf. "Don't let those rascally hackmen get your money. -Better walk about, while the air is cool and fresh. Later we shall have -to remain on the verandah of the Spring Hotel to sip lemonade and fan -ourselves." - -The friends laughed gayly and started off. The younger contingent of the -touring party went first, the elders following in a leisurely manner -while conversing with their host. Jack and Ray led the way across the -dock to the entrance which, to their chagrin, was blocked completely by -the hacks which they had been so recently warned against. - -Jack looked in every direction for an opening. There were none. "Well, -girls, it's a case of taking the bull by the horns. I'll grab one of -these old nags by the head and lead him out; then you can follow through -the gap and land on the other side of this mob which is after our -money--that's what it is!" - -No sooner said than done; hence Ray, not caring to be considered a -laggard in such a good work, followed suit and caught hold of the head -of a horse next the one taken by Jack. But the men who owned these -animals felt that they had a right in the matter. At the very moment -that Jack caught hold of the bit of the horse, the black driver lashed -the flank of his beast unmercifully, causing the horse to start and tear -across the open square in front of the quay. Naturally this unexpected -move dragged Jack from his feet, and in constant danger of being -trampled or kicked, he found it unwise to let go his hold. - -The girls stood and screamed, but Ray let go his hold on the other horse -and dashed madly after his friend. He thought the horse was running -away, with Jack hanging to his head. By the time Polly collected her -wits enough to act, Jack was out of sight around the corner, and Ray was -sprinting after the equipage which had been lost in a cloud of yellow -dust. - -"Here! Jump in and let's go after them!" ordered Eleanor, as she spied a -hack with a good looking horse in its shafts. - -Polly sprang in and Eleanor followed, but before Ruth or Nancy could get -in, the driver slammed the door and off he went, in a whirl of dust. -Ruth and Nancy stood dumb and watched them go. - -By this time Mr. Dalken and his friends came up. He looked around in -surprise. "Why! Where is Jack and the others?" - -"Oh, Dalky!" cried Ruth, "Jack's been run away with and the two girls -have been kidnapped!" - -"Impossible! In broad daylight?" exclaimed many voices. - -Nancy tried to explain all that had happened in so short a time, then -Mr. Dalken laughed. "Exactly what I advised you against. If we had -landed last night every one would have been whipped into a separate -vehicle and carried off to a different hotel. These drivers are paid to -drag visitors to the various houses willy-nilly, and once the tourists -arrive, they are so frightened at their experience, they usually remain -where they have been left. But where did the man take Polly and -Eleanor?" - -While he spoke, such a clamor and wrangling of drivers at the elbows of -each one in the group, drove Mr. Dalken distracted. Finally he turned -and held up a hand for silence. Little cared these black men for New -York authority or prestige. They all wanted a fare, and that was all. - -"There's but one thing to do--each one of us get in a separate hack and -tell the man to drive you to the Spring Hotel. When you arrive there -tell him to wait for me--that I carry the purse. That will cool their -blood and have them ready for me when I arrive." - -Mr. Fabian laughed, but it was the only solution to rid themselves of -being pulled to tatters by the myriad of besieging men. Quickly then Mr. -and Mrs. Fabian got in one cab, Mr. and Mrs. Ashby in another, Nancy and -Ruth with Mr. Dalken got in a third, and all started off. - -As far as weather went, the day was beautiful and calm. But the old -rackety hacks went seesawing over the yellow road whence one could see -the blue edge of the sea far out beyond the coral reefs. White bits of -sail on distant little vessels made bright spots on the blue glassy -horizon. Finally, after a drive of not more than ten blocks, but a trip -which the wily drivers had stretched out into twenty blocks by going -round about the town, the first load of shaken-up passengers reached the -hotel verandah. The driver brought his horse to a sudden stop with a -wild hurrah and a flourish of the limp whip. Then he sprang to the -ground and demanded his money. - -"You'll have to wait for the last man to arrive. He has the money," -explained Mr. Fabian, as instructed. - -Such a volley of expletives then poured from the man's mouth that Mrs. -Fabian covered her ears and ran for the hotel porch. But a diversion -occurred in having the second hack arrive and crash into the first one. -The Ashbys stepped out with shaking nerves and white faces. - -"Oh, such a drive!" gasped Mrs. Ashby, but the driver interrupted her by -demanding his money. - -He received the same reply as that given to the first driver. The second -man could curse even more fluently than the one who had sent Mrs. Fabian -scurrying away. But Mr. Ashby quietly took one step forward and caught -the whip from the darky's hand. Instantly he cowered and bobbed as if in -apology. - -Then came Mr. Dalken's equipage, with Ruth and Nancy in mortal dread of -being killed before the man would stop his horse. - -"Where is Jack and the other girls?" asked Mr. Dalken, looking around in -wonderment. He had fully expected to find them all there. - -Before any one could reply, the wrangling over the fares began again. -Each driver claimed four times the usual fee, but Mr. Dalken understood -them, and when at last he had settled for the regular price of a dollar -a trip, they smiled politely and drove away. - -"You see, in these isles, one must never pay the price demanded. The -native holds the highest regard and esteem for those who know the ropes -and stick to one price--generally it is four to five times less than that -asked. Remember this when you go shopping, ladies," said Mr. Dalken. - -"But what will you do about Polly and Nolla--and the two lost boys?" -asked Ruth, anxiously. - -"We will go over on the verandah and order long cool drinks of orangeade -and wait for them. They will come, all right, when the driver hears that -they wish to stop at this hotel," said Mr. Dalken. - -"Aren't you a little worried?" asked Mrs. Courtney. - -"No, not in Kingston. It would have been different in Havana or Hayti. -Here, every one is as honest as the drinks--and they are temperance and -pure. No synthetic orangeade for your money." The laughing tone and -reassuring manner of their host made his friends feel confident that -soon the lost members of their party would arrive with varied tales of -adventures. - -Meanwhile young Baxter had managed to cause such a drag on the horse, to -which he clung like grim death, that the animal stopped on a side lane -where the blinding dust measured at least ten inches in depth. Natty -Jack, in his once immaculate white flannels and silk shirt, looked for -all the world as if he had been purposely caked with Jamaica dust an -inch thick. Even his hair and eyebrows stuck out in yellow thickness. As -the horse stopped Jack let go and sat down upon the ground with a heavy -sigh. - -"Aigh, you-all pays me free dollahs!" demanded the driver. - -The owner of the animal now stood over Jack and scowled fiercely. "Mebbe -dat hoss goin' to git heaves f'on all dis hawd wu'k. Mebbe you'se got'ta -pay foh my hoss, too!" - -This was too much for poor Jack! He sprang up and there, in the -isolation of that Jamaica lane shadowed by over-hanging palms, he -started a regular fight with the driver. The astonished man, never -thinking of striking back, went flat upon his back in the same dust -where his victim had been seated a moment before. - -Jack jumped into the front seat of the hack, whipped up the nag with the -same whip the driver had brandished over him just a minute previously, -and before the amazed fellow could think, his vehicle had passed out of -sight around a corner of the lane. - -While this went on, Ray sprinted as swiftly as if he was running a -Marathon, but he was no match for the whipped horse which carried his -friend to only goodness knows where. But Ray could not keep up the pace -overlong, so he quietly subsided in front of a fruit stall and paid for -a reviving drink of green cocoanut milk, thereby earning himself a stool -upon which to sit and rest from the frightful strain in a tropical -temperature. - -While he sat there slowly sipping the cooling beverage, the carriage -with Polly and Eleanor seated within drove past the fruit vendor's -booth. Ray was too exhausted to jump up and follow, but he decided that -the girls were on their way to the Spring Hotel. Hence he turned his -attention again to the drink. - -The driver of the surrey in which the two girls had climbed, had no -intention of taking his fares to the well-known Spring Hotel, because he -was paid extra for every guest he could deposit at a small and -practically new boarding house of third-rate class. Naturally this -landlady found great difficulty in securing guests, and she found it -necessary to pay the hack drivers a commission for their collaboration. - -Polly and Eleanor saw themselves whisked along mean streets lined on -both sides with a bungalow type of houses; these dwellings apparently -were filled to overflowing with people of varied shades of black and -brown, down to a pale yellow. Every now and then the driver of the -vehicle had to swerve out of the way for a tramcar track at street -crossings. At such crossings the girls saw the business street, down -which the cars had their tracks, busy with tourists and shop keepers who -called from their emporiums to attract attention to their wares on sale. - -"For all the world like the East Side in New York, isn't it?" asked -Eleanor, as both girls gazed with interest at all they saw. - -After driving his "fares" in and out of many byways, the hack man -brought his horse up before a shabby house of somewhat larger dimensions -than any bungalow the girls had yet seen. Here he opened the -broken-hinged door of his surrey and bowed to let them know they were to -step out and pay their bill. - -Several indolent guests, who plainly showed their plane of life, sat -upon the rickety chairs on the narrow verandah which _hung_ desperately -to the front of the "Hotel." The landlady, a great bulk of light yellow -tint, came out to greet her new guests. - -Polly glanced over the place in amazement, and Eleanor felt inclined to -double up in laughter. She had to cover her mouth with her hand in order -to choke back the wild shout of amusement that _would_ demand a vent. - -"Why, what do you call this place?" demanded Polly of the driver, -frowning upon him in stern anger. - -"Dis am de ho-tel you wants to come to," replied he. - -"I told you to drive us to the Spring Hotel, and this never is _it_!" - -"No'm, you'se says foh me to drive you-all affer dat man what cotched -hoi' of dat hoss's head. Well, dat hoss and man done runned away -somewhere, so I jus' brings you to the fust-class place I knows of," -explained the driver. - -Eleanor now screamed with laughter at the funny experience, and was -unable to help Polly in her cross-examination of the man. - -"You get back in that seat and take us to the Spring Hotel, or I will -hand you over to the police!" threatened Polly, but she could not help -wondering if Kingston ever had a police force! - -"Ef I has to take you-all another trip, it's goin' to cost more money," -bargained the fellow, not knowing the nature of the girl he thought he -had at a disadvantage. - -Polly leaned out from the door of the hack. "You get in that seat in -double-quick time or you'll find out where I came from! Did you ever -hear of Colorado people who know how to shoot a fly from a swinging -street lamp forty feet away? Well, that's me!" Polly's tone was that of -a hangman's, her expression similar to that of an Empress who is judging -a criminal, her sudden wave of the hand that of a western hold-up man. -The driver, never having had such a "fare" with which to deal, obeyed -like a whipped puppy. He climbed back into his seat and drove away midst -the jeers and hoots of the loafers on the hang-too verandah. Even the -landlady of the house jeered at him. - -By this time Eleanor found herself able to gasp forth a cheer for Polly. -But Polly turned blazing eyes upon her friend and said: "A fine -assistant you will make in time of need!" - -"Oh, Polly, what could you expect of me in such a ridiculous -predicament? You looked too surprised and shocked for anything!" - -But Polly was really offended this time, and she would not reply to -Eleanor's attempts at making up. Not until the meek driver turned into -the beautiful avenue that brought them up in front of the Spring Hotel, -where all but Jack and Ray lounged in great comfortable wicker chairs -and sipped orangeade, did she forgive Eleanor. - -Polly gave one glance at her friends and stiffened up. "Well! Is that -the way you-all trouble over the safety of Nolla and me? We might have -been offered up on the altar of the voodoo worshippers for all you -cared!" - -"We knew you would be perfectly safe in this town--no such menace as -voodooism here," laughed Mr. Dalken, coming down the three steps to -welcome his charges. - -"Two sov'ren's, please," now demanded the driver. - -"Two what?" shouted Mr. Ashby, who had joined his friend. - -With not so much bravado the hackman said: "I druv dese ladies all over -Kingston tryin' to keep up wid dere young man. Now I got'ta be paid foh -all dat trouble." - -"Dalky, he never did! He took us way off to a dump of a house where he -tried to make us believe you would come to board. I actually had to -threaten to shoot him, as we do out west, before he would condescend to -bring us here," explained Polly, her color rising ominously as she -glared at the man. - -"I'll pay you exactly what all fares are from the wharf to this -hotel--here's a dollar a fare, and that makes two dollars. Now begone -before this young sixshooter gets out a gun and wings your ear!" Mr. -Dalken tossed the man two dollars and waved him away. - -The driver caught the money with one hand, caught hold of the iron rail -of the front seat with his other hand and swung himself up. In another -moment he was whipping his horse and whizzing off out of range of that -gun. He had never in his life delivered a fare who had such spirit as -that western girl expressed, and he began to ponder whether the life of -a hackman was the most delightful one now that women in the States had -suffrage and could carry guns! - -A coal-black waiter brought more cooling drinks to the parched guests, -and when Polly had emptied a long thin glass filled with iced orangeade, -she felt better. Then she explained. - -The interested audience laughed, but when she demanded: "What did you do -with Jack and Ray?" no one could reply. - -"I'm here to answer for myself," came a weak, quavering voice from the -road. Every one jumped up and ran to the steps, and there stood poor -Jack, still coated with heavy dust and painfully clambering out of the -one-sided carriage. - -Such a ludicrous picture did dandy Jack present to his friends that they -could not restrain a shout of laughter. He looked hurt but shook his -head hopelessly. "I knew what sort of friends I had!" he muttered as he -limped up the steps and dropped into a chair. As he fell into its -cushioned depths a choking cloud of dust rose from his form and floated -over the group that now surrounded him. - -Before Jack had concluded his narrative Ray came up to the steps of the -hotel and joined his friends. With his appearance the others called for -an explanation of his clean-looking summer garb, his cool-looking face, -and the smile that told he had not had such disturbing experiences as -the other three wanderers in an unknown town. - -"I saw a driver whisking Polly and Eleanor past my resting place, but -they went too fast for my speed." Ray laughed as he remembered again the -perplexed girls in that hack. - -"Well, now that we are reunited, children, let us celebrate with another -flagon of orangeade," laughed Mr. Fabian, calling the waiter to take the -order. - -As they all sipped another gallon of cooling drink, they planned what to -see after they had recovered from the strenuous trip from the quay to -the Hotel. - -"You know, we won't be able to visit every point of interest in Jamaica, -but at least we shall see those which are most worth while," explained -Mr. Dalken. Then turning to Jack, he said, "You've been here before, -Jack--where do you advise us to take the party?" - -"Well, every one ought to see the natives dive for coins--that's one of -the amusements offered here; but that can be done as we come from the -yacht to-morrow morning," said Jack. At this suggestion, Polly -interpolated: - -"I hope to goodness you don't expect us to run the gauntlet of those -buggy drivers again, do you?" - -And Eleanor said: "Why not camp out at this hotel as long as we are -here. I find it delightfully cool and restful here." - -"At least we might stay here to-night, Dalky," added Ray. - -"I'm willing. The Captain will understand if we do not return by ten -o'clock to-night." - -It was therefore decided that the entire party would remain at the -Spring Hotel that night and, should they find the evening entertainment -alluring enough, they might remain another night. - -"That means we ladies must get out and shop for requisites we will need -overnight," ventured Mrs. Fabian. - -"I was wondering if it would not be wise to do some shopping this -afternoon," added Mrs. Ashby. - -"We may as well do all the shopping we plan to do, as long as we are at -it," suggested Mrs. Courtney. - -"Well, if you ladies are going to shop, what do you expect the male -members of the party to do to kill time?" asked Ray. - -"Why, go along and pay the bills, to be sure!" laughed Mr. Ashby. - -"What else do you think a married man can do?" added Mr. Fabian. - -About this time the gong boy came out on the verandah and made such a -deafening din with the hammer and copper drum he carried that John -Baxter beckoned him over. - -"What's the game now, Bo?" asked Jack. - -"Lunsh'on, sah!" answered the young boy, pounding with might and main -that all should hear the call to midday luncheon. But he looked at the -dusty young man who questioned him, then showed his mighty disdain at -the awful clothes covered with Jamaica real estate, by curling his -nostrils and walking away from Jack. - -Midst a merry peal of laughter at his expense, Jack got up and limped -into the hotel in order to secure a room with bath where he might -relieve his person of the undesirable weight of earth. - -He had not been gone a minute ere a dusty, angry driver stumbled up the -steps and gazed wildly at the group where his "fare" had been seated. -Not seeing a man answering to the description, the man sought -everywhere--inside and outside, for the man who had taken the license of -using his horse and hack without permission, and left _him_, the owner, -to walk all the way to the Spring Hotel to recover his business assets. - -During the time the furious driver sought him, Jack reclined in a -luxurious bath and managed to relieve himself and his hair of all the -clinging dust he had accumulated in that mad race through knee-deep dust -on the side-streets of Jamaica. - -Mourning the loss of collecting the damages he had expected to claim -from the New Yorker, the hack driver had to leave in his recovered -surrey. But he made up his weak mind to find that young man when he -should reappear on the quay some day to leave the town. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA - - -The climate of this the largest of the islands of the West Indies, was -as perfect as climate can be. The heat was, of course, tropical; but -that was tempered by sea-breezes forever blowing from one direction or -another, and as the island is not too mountainous to obstruct these -breezes, one can always find relief from the warmth of the sunshine. - -The streets, where the best shops are located, are a busy sight, indeed, -especially during tourists' season, when crowds of visitors are eagerly -selecting souvenirs for home-friends. These tradesmen consider a buyer, -who does not bargain for his purchase, a brainless creature to be -despised. In fact, one must offer the merchant just about one quarter of -the price asked first if he wishes to win esteem and admiration from the -native. Many times a buyer secures reverence if he turns and pretends to -walk out of the booth, and then pauses to listen to the beseeching -salesman to turn and take the desirable article at his own figure! - -As the ladies in Mr. Dalken's party sauntered from one shop to another, -enjoying the unusual fun of driving hard bargains (as the proprietor of -the hotel had warned them to do) the men attended stalls where they -purchased native hats, curios, and walking sticks or umbrellas with odd -handles and of splendid workmanship. - -They finally wound up in the market place, but it was too late in the -day to witness the thrill and thrall of marketing as is seen in the -early mornings. Mr. Dalken learned that on Saturdays the country people -foregathered in the great market to sell their produce and invest the -returns in their own needs. The man added with a smile at the ladies: - -"If you visit here on Sata'day, better wear a big bunch of strong -scented flowers directly under your nose. The smells of the crowded -stalls and the decaying fruit or vegetables, to say nothing of fowl and -fish spread out on boards in the heat to attract the buyers but the -flies as well, will not be the pleasantest scent to get." - -"I should say it will be as well to keep away from such a powerful -combined odor, eh?" was Mr. Dalken's smiling answer. - -"But the sight is well worth the insult to the other sense," retorted -the man who had a sense of humor as well as wit. - -"Thank you for the suggestions. If we are still in the town we will call -again," returned Mr. Dalken, lifting his hat and turning to leave the -market place. - -That afternoon the tourists returned to the hotel laden with purchases. -Not only were the ladies almost bankrupt from spending money on -hand-embroidered undergarments and basketwork ornaments, but they also -had been lured into buying savage designs of jewelry and art objects. -The men bought ebony paper cutters, desk outfits, wonderful whips made -from lace-bark, and even fishing-rods made of bamboo, with marvelous -handles mounted on a shark's backbone. Some of the rods had handles of -sandalwood, and were genuine curios in carvings. - -At dinner that evening the hotel manager came over to Mr. Dalken's table -and introduced himself. - -"I wish to invite you to a reception given this evening at Government -House. My guests are always welcome at these entertainments; there you -will meet our Jamaican society." - -Mr. Dalken thanked the host and said: "I am sure we appreciate your -hospitable invitation. If the ladies wish to go we shall enjoy the -reception." - -Naturally the ladies voted to go, and this necessitated a return trip to -the yacht in order to dress for the evening. They had heard how -particular were the aspirants to social favor, as regards the demands of -proper dress at all functions. Therefore Mr. Dalken chartered a car and -soon had his guests back at the quay and on board his yacht where they -hurriedly arrayed themselves in evening clothes. - -At the reception that evening the Americans found a mixed society. -Military, civic officialdom, and those who could be classed with the -Dalken group. Dress was a very important item in this gathering, and -every lady present, be she pure white, milk-white (which really showed -she was an octoroon) or yellow, flaunted the most gorgeous gowns. Many -dresses could claim Parisian birth, and others came from the best Fifth -Avenue shops in New York City. The females in the yacht party now saw -the very latest ideas in style, and they were honestly amazed at such a -revelation. Later they heard that style and display of their clothes -constituted the main interest in life for the Kingston society ladies. - -Dancing is the favorite amusement of the Jamaicans, and they take -advantage of every opportunity to dance, morning, noon, or night. Hence -a reception of such importance as one at Government House provides a -great opportunity for dancing. The younger members in Mr. Dalken's party -found all the dancing they could stand at that time. Even the elder -members were lured into dancing several seductive waltzes that evening, -and Polly saw for the first time what a graceful and admirable pair Mrs. -Courtney and Mr. Dalken made as dancing partners. - -While they waited for the automobile which had been engaged for the -evening, Polly whispered to Eleanor: "Haven't you noticed how Dalky has -bloomed since that blight of Elizabeth has been removed?" - -"Yes, indeed! And I'm glad of it. Her reckless running away with those -horrid persons that night really turned out to be the very best thing -for our Dalky in the end. Now he can enjoy himself to his heart's -content without being spied upon," said Eleanor. - -The ladies were now crowded into the automobile, while the men went to -the tram to ride as far as it carried them in the direction of the -Spring Hotel. The air was cool and refreshing during the night, and the -dancing had not caused any one to feel too tired or languid, as might -have been expected in such a climate. - -A good sleep at night and a refreshing bath with a fine breakfast in the -morning, brought forth eager and energetic tourists in Mr. Dalken's -party that next morning. - -"Well, what is on the bill for to-day?" demanded Jack, eagerly. - -"You sound as if you knew of something," countered Polly. - -"I do. I heard of it last night from one of the officers in the Army. Do -you want to hear it?" - -Of course they wanted to hear it. But it was far different than anything -they expected to hear. - -"There is a trial in the Court House this morning at ten, of a young man -who helped himself to a stick of sweets on sale by a street peddler, of -which class Kingston is full and overflowing. The lieutenant is called -upon as a witness of the theft, and the brown policeman who caught the -fellow red-handed, is going to make the most of his claim to promotion -on the force. I hear it will be as good as any vaudeville show in the -city," explained Jack. - -"It seems a pity to waste a fine morning in an ill-smelling courtroom, -when there are so many other interesting things to do," argued Mr. -Fabian, whose artistic instincts rebelled against a court scene as an -amusement. - -"Oh, I'd love to witness such a scene," declared Eleanor, glancing at -her girl-friends to see what they thought about it. - -"Supposing you folks--all who wish to--go on a drive all about the -country, while we youngsters attend court," ventured Ray. - -"If I thought we could trust the girls to you two scapegraces in such a -place as a Kingston Court House, I'd accept the suggestion," returned -Mr. Dalken. - -"I'll go with the girls to the court, and you all can go for a -sight-seeing trip," offered Mrs. Courtney. - -"Would you really care to sit out a court trial?" asked Mrs. Fabian, -sympathetically for her friend. - -"I think I'd prefer to be amused this morning instead of sight-seeing -around the country," answered Mrs. Courtney. - -So it was hastily decided that the young people, chaperoned by Mrs. -Courtney, were to attend court, while Mr. Dalken took his friends on a -tram ride out into the open country of Jamaica. - -Jack acted as official pilot of the contingent for the court house; as -they came near the entrance door they found a crowd of all sorts of -people waiting to see justice administered. - -Inside, the good-looking young lieutenant was introduced to Jack's -party, and then he found seats in a desirable row where every incident -could be seen, yet they would not be elbowed by the motley gathering. - -The court room was nothing more than a large room with a raised platform -at one end. Rude wooden benches were placed in rows for the -accommodation of the audience and those who would have to report when -their names were called from the roll in the clerk's hands. - -Upon the platform was the judge. He sat in an old swivel chair behind a -table, and every now or then he leaned back in weary listlessness, but -just as surely as he tilted back a bit too far, the treacherous pivot -would squeak and the chair went back, being kept from over-turning by -the clutch in the swivel. At these tilts the judge would throw out both -arms and yank his body upright in order to regain his equilibrium. A -deep-seated grunt announced the success of his attempts at balancing, -and the trial would proceed as before the interruption. The spectators -in the room dared not smile, nor even seem to be interested in the -result of the tip of the magistrate's chair, but each one maintained a -serious expression as if life and limb depended upon their dignified -attention to the witness on the stand. With the advent of Eleanor to the -court room all this was to be reversed. - -Jack whispered to the girls: "Is this bench all right for you to see the -show?" - -Instantly the judge ceased playing with his heavy-rimmed horn spectacles -and sat upright. He glared over at the newcomers, but finding that they -paid no attention to him he thumped the top of the table with a mallet: -"Order in the Court!" shouted he. - -The girls were seated now, and Ruth looked up with awe at the man who -had just spoken. Nancy glanced around the room and wrinkled her dainty -nose at the crowding of whites, yellows, and blacks in one small area. -Polly watched the severe judge, but Eleanor was all eyes for the witness -on the platform. Jack and Ray stood back of the bench upon which sat the -girls, and watched for the fun they had been promised. - -The ancient clerk, a picturesque form, now got upon his feet and read -from a legal paper the name and crime of one Al Colman. Down in front of -the platform sat a black giant. Fittingly his name was "Colman." But he -was not experienced in court manners so he did not answer to the call of -his name. - -The judge toyed impatiently with the mallet of authority, but he would -not so far demean himself as to bring the prisoner to understand his -lesson. Rather, he glared at the Clerk, who was a yellow-white, and -demanded of him: - -"Got the prisoner in the Court?" he could plainly see the nervous Al -just in front of his table, but that was not justice as he weighed it -out to menials. - -The Clerk lowered the paper, stared over his specs at Al, and called -impatiently: "Why don' you answer when I calls yoh name, Al?" The -Americans smiled at the first bit of play. - -"D'ye want me to?" demanded Al Colman, wriggling uneasily. He was a -ragged, ignorant black, who looked too stupid to steal. - -"Shore! Got a lawyer t' defen' yuh?" demanded the Clerk. - -"How come yuh ast me dat? Yuh knows I ain't got nuff money to git me a -moufful to eat?" retorted Al. Eleanor laughed and the judge thumped the -table furiously and bawled out: - -"Order in this Court!" - -"Step up to the chair, Al, and be examined," advised the Clerk. - -Poor Al, getting up from his bench as if it was to be the last act on -earth for him, crept up to the platform and shook as he lifted imploring -eyes to the severe magistrate above him. This tickled the egotism of the -judge mightily and he frowned down upon the trembling prisoner. - -"Step up and answer all questions truthfully!" commanded he. - -Al obeyed and after he had taken the oath to speak the "truf, the hull -truf, an' nuttin' but de truf," the lawyer for the plaintiff began his -story. - -"'N it please yuh honor, yistiddy whiles I was lookin' over important -papers, I hears a hue an' cry outside my office window, so I jumps up -and looks. Down th' street went dis niggeh an' a affer him went a lady -of color what sells sweets on the street--she got a genuwine license from -you, yuh honor," the man interrupted himself, suddenly remembering how -important such an item would be in influencing justice. - -The magistrate bowed with dignity, and the plaintiff continued: "Dis Al -Colman held a stick of sweets an' was beatin' it foh de open when I -steps out and interviews de hull thing. It is a plain case of larceny, -yuh honor, an' my client claims damages an' costs. I have an important -witness to testify to de truf of dis situation, yuh honor." - -The judge glared at poor Al and the self-styled lawyer beckoned to -Lieutenant Bray to step up. But Jack had already whispered to Bray to go -easy on the poor black man, and call on his friends if he needed any -help in dragging Al out of the ditch. - -The lawyer next asked Al all sorts of questions, in order to catch him -lying or attempting to get out of the claim of theft. - -"Whar yuh reside, Al?" demanded the lawyer. - -"Anywhar I finds a welcome," murmured Al, his eyes fixed upon the -splendor of the officer's uniform as he came up to offer his testimony -in the case. - -"And what yuh works at, Al?" demanded the questioner suavely, satisfied -with the reply to his first question. - -"Now yuh know I does any odd job I kin git," said Al. - -"How come yuh helped yuh-self to dem sweets, Al?" was the next question. - -Suddenly a voice behind Polly interrupted the proceedings: "I object to -that question until you have proved that the man took them!" - -Every head turned to the owner of the new voice. The girls and Jack and -Ray started in surprise to find Mr. Dalken had entered unseen and was -watching this unusual trial. - -"Order in this Court!" thundered the judge. Then to the sheriff, he -said: "Eject that man who interrupts the proceeding of the Law." - -But Mr. Dalken now stepped down to the front and said: "I am the legal -representative for this Al Colman. I object to the irregular questions -asked of my client." - -Al Colman's jaw dropped and his whole body slumped in the rickety chair. -The judge was so startled that he brought the swivel chair to an upright -position with such suddenness that the clutch broke and dropped out, but -he never knew it. He stared at the new lawyer and scowled his unwelcome. - -"Who are you and why didn't you step up aforetime?" - -"I just managed to reach the Court, your Honor, and now I offer my -services to this undefended man on trial for stealing sweets." Mr. -Dalken's manner was sugary and Jack hugged himself. He anticipated great -fun with the renowned New York lawyer taking a part. Even the lieutenant -smiled with delight at the turn in events. Only Al seemed overwhelmed -and depressed by the aspect his case was taking. - -The old woman who sold sweets on the street lifted bleary eyes to her -lawyer and grumbled: "I's is losin' all de mawnin' trade wid dis foolin' -bout dat stick of sugar cane! Lem'me go!" - -"Order in the Court!" thundered the judge, banging the table. He _could_ -let out his spleen on the table and it could not object. - -The case first advanced a step, then receded a step, until Mr. Dalken -brought his legal experience to bear on his colleague's legal -understanding. Thus matters drifted and were halted over and over, when -a suspicious sound from the magistrate in the broken swivel chair -announced that he was snoring, while the two lawyers wrangled in front -of his platform. Al Colman sat in stupefied wonderment at all he heard -but he was not sure whether they were going to send him to the chair, or -to jail for life. Every one in the room was tittering at the -discomfiture of the lawyer for the old street peddler, when a new phase -occurred. - -"Now, see heah, all yuh fo'kses! I done gone lost a stick of sugar -yistiddy, but I lose all my pence o' trade to-day cuz, of bein' hauled -in heah agin my will. I ain't got no cause nohow to git Al Colman inter -jail, an' _I'se_ discharge dis case!" As she rendered judgment in a -hoarse voice which was familiar on the street as coming from a -full-lung-powered huckster, she turned to leave the room. - -Whether the sound of a woman usurping his rights of judgment, or whether -the laughter of the crowd in the court room aroused him, cannot be -determined, but the judge suddenly let go his balance in the chair in -order to get up and demand order. The swivel instantly pivoted, and the -clutch being gone, back went the chair, tossing His Honor upon his head -behind the table. - -[Illustration: BACK WENT THE CHAIR, TOSSING THE JUDGE UPON HIS HEAD.] - -Then followed such an uproar that Al made a quick escape without being -seen. Out of the side door went he, and away to the open country he -fled, as if the hounds of justice were upon his heels. The Clerk of the -Court and the Sheriff hastened to assist their superior to an upright -position, and he showed his gratitude by getting hold of the mallet and -almost cracking the table in his efforts to bring about order in that -Court, while he glared at his deputies. - -Then scowling fiercely upon the two lawyers who had been the cause of -his nap, he thundered: "The case is dismissed! No cause." - -The spectators laughed and jeered, and the two legal representatives -shook hands and departed. Once outside, Jack and the lieutenant met -again, and the former said to the latter: "The whole thing looked as if -it had been staged for our benefit." - -And the army officer replied: "That's a typical scene of a trial for -petty larceny. There is no more apparent justice in the entire -proceedings than you would find in having your hen-coop robbed and then -have the man come and ask you to give him the side trimmings to his -chicken dinner." - -Mr. Dalken now came up and was introduced to the officer. "Did the poor -rascal really steal the sugar-stick?" asked he. - -"I don't think so, sir. But a lawyer with no cases on hand has to trump -up something to advertise himself. He may have paid the old peddler a -little sum to attend the court and demand a bit of justice. He may even -have paid Al to permit himself to be tried for stealing, provided Al -made the lawyer promise to get him scot free at the last." - -"Well, well! That scene was certainly well worth the time it took to -witness it!" added Mr. Dalken, as they all moved away to the tram-cars. - -Later that morning Polly said: "I haven't a very high opinion of -Kingston justice!" - -"I should say not!" exclaimed Eleanor in high contempt. - -"If they bungle such little cases so badly, what must they do when a -really serious crime is committed?" wondered Nancy. - -"I suppose they call in New York lawyers for such cases," laughed Polly, -winking at Mr. Dalken who stood with his back to the girls. But he -turned at this and retorted: - -"They never have really serious cases in Jamaica. I find from the -records that Jamaicans are truly a law-abiding people who seldom commit -a crime which necessitates such condemnation as we in New York have to -administer." - - - - -CHAPTER X--SPORTS AT JAMAICA - - -That afternoon after luncheon Mr. Dalken proposed a trip to Spanish -Town. He suggested the yacht for the conveyance and an anchorage at the -quay over night in order to allow themselves a full day at that -beautiful settlement. As nothing more exciting had been heard of, the -younger members of the party agreed to the plan. - -Late in the afternoon, therefore, the White Crest dropped anchor at that -part of the Rio Cobra River where Spanish Town is located. The tourists -remained on board the yacht that night, but in the early morning they -started to go ashore in the two small launches belonging to the yacht. - -As the boats neared the quay, the eager, waiting urchins on the wharf -stood ready to dive in the waters for the coin they expected from the -white visitors. Nor were they disappointed. - -The passengers in both small boats tossed coins out for the gamins to go -after, and there, without fear or thought of the ever-present shark, the -diving boys would go down in the waters to the bottom, but more often -they would catch the coin even before it had time to reach the sandy -bottom of the water. It was a most amazing thing to watch the speed and -alertness of these children who seemed automatic in their instantaneous -dive the moment the hand let go the coin. - -In several instances the boys caught the coin in their hands just as it -splashed into the surface of the water. When the girls had tired of -watching this performance, the sailors were told to move on to land. - -The hotel accommodations at Spanish Town were not to be compared to the -Spring Hotel at Kingston; but they would have the yacht to use if -matters were too, uncomfortable at the hotel in Spanish Town. - -Soon after landing at Spanish Town the men heard of the excellent -fishing to be had in the Rio Cobra River, hence they hoped to try a -catch that day. But the ladies had also heard of the beauty of Bog Walk, -and they clamored to go with the men. That necessitated a string of -punts and men to pole, but expense was no drawback on this excursion. -Moreover, Jamaican blacks work for a mere nothing in comparison with New -York laborers. - -Down the shores of the Rio Cobra went the flat punts and then drifted -along the famous Bog Walk, the passengers listening to the songs of the -tropical birds, and watching the verdure clad shores--clad in palms, tall -cane, or heavy bamboo clumps. Both banks were carpeted with perfumed and -gaudy flowers, and the breeze stirred lazily through the reeds and -grasses along the edge of the water where one could see the clumsy -tortoise, or swift water-rats moving about. - -As she sat in the bow of one of the punts Polly called the attention of -Eleanor to a great bulky tortoise. "Isn't he ugly? Would you believe -that such beautiful things as our tortoise-shell toilet articles could -ever come from that filthy back?" - -"It looks like a scum-covered bit of wreckage from the sea!" declared -Eleanor. - -"There goes one,--swimming down the stream!" called Nancy. - -The girls looked and sure enough! A mud-covered projection floated past -while the weeds which grow from the crevices in the back of the shell, -trailed behind him like dank strips of string. - -The men in the other punts saw the tortoise and this brought forth a -suggestion that they enjoy a day's turtle fishing while they tarried at -Jamaica. Nothing loth, Jack urged Mr. Dalken to accept the offer. - -Hunting the turtle is a varied sport, according to the energy and -sportsmanship of the hunter. The easiest way is that pursued by men who -wish to use the least power and run the least risk of danger to -themselves. These men catch the female just after she has deposited her -eggs on a muddy river bank. They turn her over on her back and render -her helpless until they come to drag her to the pens where they keep -them until exported. - -Other hunters spear the turtles in the open sea, and this is really the -most daring of the hunt, as often a turtle will suddenly make a swift -run to the open sea and drag a harpoon in its track. - -But the method mostly followed is that of snaring the creatures in nets -when they rise to the surface for breath. The men of Jamaica are -experienced turtle hunters, and they follow the net method. - -Early at dawn, the following morning, the Captain called Mr. Dalken and -said the turtle fishermen were alongside waiting for them to go out to -fish. No need of calling twice! Jack Baxter and Ray jumped into old -clothes and in an incredibly short time were on deck, the three elder -men in the party soon followed, and then the natives made room for their -employees. But the Captain had taken orders from Mr. Dalken to slowly -follow in the wake of the boats, in order to give the ladies an -opportunity to watch the hunting. - -Breakfast was quite neglected that morning because the girls were -engaged in watching the sport. From the vantage point of the higher -elevation on the yacht they could watch all without any trouble -whatever. - -There seemed to be quite a fleet of boats, all of which were built by -the natives. The turtle nets were woven of the leaves of the -thatch-palm. The leaf is denuded and the membrane thus left is twisted -into almost unbreakable fibrous cords. When dried, this mesh would have -held the most powerful fish caught in its net. - -There was intense excitement when one of the men in a boat sighted a -deep-sea turtle. Then the others all followed carefully the directions -of the leader in his boat. They came up to the quarry in a semi-circle, -dragging the great net as they approached in shallow water. - -Suddenly the watchers on the yacht saw the heavy net cast and -immediately a desperate thrashing and flopping of about three hundred -pounds of turtle began. The water was lashed to a foam and one boat was -completely capsized by a fin that struck its side. - -Finally the men manipulated the net in such a way that the great turtle -was turned over upon his back; then the flapping of fins, each stronger -than a flail, accompanied by the uncanny sort of moaning from the -reptile, caused vague sympathy from the watchers on the yacht. - -The great creature was dragged in the net by the last boat in the line, -and after strenuous effort was left in the deep-sea pool off the quay. A -quantity of turtle grass was left for the reptile to feed upon, and the -sport for that time was over--all but the paying off of the natives who -had staged the play. - -These same natives had induced Mr. Dalken and his friends to consider a -day's hunting in the alligator swamps just off the Rio Cobra River. The -ladies could not possibly take part in this dangerous sport--not so -dangerous from the jaws of the alligators as from the dreaded miasma -which is continually rising from the hotbeds of typhoid-malarial scums. - -All the warnings and beseechings, to say nothing of the threats, from -the wives of two of the men proved to be of any avail. They were -determined to go! - -When it was found that all prayers left the male contingent of the -yachting party as hard as flint toward any proposition of giving up the -alligator shooting, the ladies suddenly reversed their opinions and did -all possible to hasten the men from the yacht. - -"They have some trick up their sleeves," remarked Mr. Ashby smilingly, -to his companions. - -"You don't think they plan to accompany us in the yacht, do you?" -questioned Mr. Dalken, anxiously. "It would be a great hazard for them." - -"No, not that; but there is no use in asking them what is their plan -because they would come back with the counter proposition for us to -remain here and find out." - -Hence the men in their oldest clothes with rubber boots to their hips -left the yacht. The slimy marshes they would have to wade through would -necessitate the discard of any clothing after the hunt ended. - -The alligator of the West Indies is half-brother to the crocodile of -Africa, though he is not as large as the latter; still, he is large -enough to mutilate a man and quickly kill him. Hence the sport is -fraught with some danger as well as unpleasant experiences from insects -and the malarial localities. - -The natives called at the yacht in a large open boat something after the -pattern of a northern whaler. Having approved of the attire of the -yachtsmen, the guide started the craft for the swamps. At the mouth of -the Rio Cobra lay a flat stretch of mud-colored sand with every now and -then a patch of bushes, scrub-trees and coarse grass. - -"I suppose the reptiles sleep in those watery places, which one can see -glistening through the swamp growth," suggested Mr. Dalken. - -The guide of the party nodded and pointed at what seemed afar to be a -floating log. The Americans looked intently and found the log had -half-closed eyes but an open mouth--open to catch any wandering tidbit -which might be attracted to venture to that gate of sure death. - -"If only we were over there now--we'd bag our first 'gator, eh?" said -Jack, anxiously. - -"No, no, not him! He gone too queeck," replied the guide. - -The boat was anchored and the men climbed out into water which reached -to their waists. Then the guide started out to divide the party into -units. He led the two young men as he must have thought they needed more -careful supervision than the older and more reserved men in the group. - -"Good gracious! Every known pest of an insect must find its home in this -swamp!" exclaimed Ray, as he kept busily whipping away gnats, midges, -mosquitoes, and a myriad of other stinging bugs. - -"Gee! Can't say I care for this stench of rotting wood and decayed -vegetation," laughed Jack, wrinkling his nostrils to keep out the odor. - -Passing through evil-looking stretches of scum, over rotting stumps, -disturbing nests of plagues, and causing swarms of stinging insects to -cover their hands and faces, the two young men finally reached a spot -where the guide suddenly halted. - -"Looka-dere!" he whispered, pointing to an up-thrust of green filth and -scum. - -Jack and Ray stared for a moment in sheer unbelief, then they aimed, -shot, and at the same instant the sickening mass sunk, and all the -hunters could see was a cleavage of the surrounding slime. - -"Too late!" sighed the guide: "Him hear me talk." - -The three resumed their difficult progress farther into the swamp, and -then without notice Jack lifted his rifle, aimed, and an explosion -echoed throughout the place. A great shower of chips and bark rewarded -this exploit, and the guide laughed good-naturedly. - -"Him sure dead log!" remarked he to Jack's discomfiture. - -Finally they halted again and the guide silently pointed to a smaller -heap of scum quite close to what looked like a great tree-trunk fallen -over into the water. Both boys aimed and shot at what they believed to -be a small alligator, and then to their great amazement the _huge_ log -scuttled away, while the small child of the immense mother followed in -her wake leaving a streak of crimson in the stream to tell the hunters -they had missed killing him. - -"We go in here, sit down and watch. Mebbe big 'gator come by." Thus -saying the guide started for a screened spot in the marsh and posted his -followers upon a log which gave them a good view of the surrounding -area. He sat upon the lower end of the tree. - -Jack looked carefully around, and Ray watched a spot that made him think -a submerged alligator might rise up and offer him a good target. Jack -spied a vast depression in the mud bank near his right hand, and the -guide nodded. - -At the moment of Jack's distraction and the guide's nod, Ray pulled the -trigger of his gun and the shot found a true result of that aim. A tiny -alligator came to the surface, half-turned over in the coating of green, -and gasped. At the same time a maddened splashing came through the green -marsh-grass near the dying infant 'gator, and soon an enormous head with -snapping jaws thrust itself from the water. - -The half-crazed mother used her snout to tenderly go over the quivering -body of her child, and when she found it had breathed its last she -lifted the mud-crusted head and gazed balefully around. - -"Queeck! Queeck--shoot!" commanded the guide, taking swift aim and firing -a load at the reptile. But his shot missed because the alligator was -thrashing too wildly across the water and making for the hunters. - -Not ten yards separated the three men who were doomed if they did not -climb out of the reach of those sinister jaws with their double rows of -long white teeth. Her eyes showed what the alligator meant to do to the -murderers of her child, and the very twisting and lightning-like advance -of the huge thing sent a shiver of dread along the spines of the two -young hunters. - -Again the rifle of the guide cracked, and in another moment the guns of -the two Americans sent forth their spurts of red and the yellow streaks -of death right into the opened jaws of the monster. Still she came on -and lifted her vast opened jaw within a foot of Jack's leg. The lashing -tail of the alligator was the only thing which told she had been shot -and was suffering. - -It would have been good-night for the hunter's leg had not the guide -filled the forehead of the reptile with shot--shot that entered between -the eyes and sank into the brain to paralyze further designs on her -enemies. - -With a mighty effort the huge creature lifted herself half out of the -water and flung herself far from the log. The midstream silently covered -her with its green covering and the monster sank from view. - -"Did we kill her?" nervously cried Jack. - -"Her gone! She die, but not here. Where she go we no go!" - -"All right, then, I'm through hunting alligators. After seeing the -frantic grief and mother-love in that awful thing's eyes I could not aim -at another creature in this swamp. You go on with the guide, Ray, but -I'm through!" declared Jack. - -"I say the same, Jack. When you remember the old reptile's snout as she -lovingly went over the carcass of her young, it makes us seem like -brutes, even less soulful than the poor alligator. Come on." - -The guide smiled. He could not understand such sentiments over a vile -alligator, and he felt that he had selected a pair of weak-kneed youths -to take into the swamp. - -"You not fraid of legs! I not let alligator bite you, I swear!" -exclaimed the guide, thinking they were nervous at the close -acquaintance with the mother-'gator. - -But Jack took no trouble to explain. They motioned the man to lead out, -and shortly after the incident had closed the three reached the sandy -shore where the boat had been anchored. - -In the heat of a tropical sun they ate a few rice-cakes and drank warm -water from the canteen, but they had to wait for more than an hour -before the other hunters came back. Meanwhile the guide had followed his -own bent and had gone back into the swamp to secure a trophy. Jack was -glad to find later that he had not seen a single snout. - -The return trip was soon accomplished, but when the boat came to the -place where the yacht had been last seen there was not a sign of the -White Crest. - -"Well, this is what they planned--to give us the slip!" laughed Mr. -Dalken, as he motioned the men to keep on and land them on the wharf of -Spanish Town. - -The hunters returned earlier than had been planned for, hence they had a -tiresome wait at Spanish Town for the appearance of the White Crest once -more. All they could learn by questioning the loafers at the quay was -the fact that the yacht had sailed away. That was self-evident, or else -she had gone down. The latter was too impossible for belief so she -_must_ have sailed away. - -Dinnertime came and passed, still no White Crest. The darkness came over -the water and the squatty houses of Spanish Town, and still no yacht. It -was close to midnight when the impatient watchers, seated on a crude -plank on the wharf, saw a beautiful silvery craft glide up to the mouth -of the river and silently drop her anchor. - -"Well, there she is, but how are we to reach her?" asked the owner, -chewing the end of a cigar. - -"We'll halloo for the Captain to send us the boat," replied Jack, and -immediately Ray and he chorused a loud call for transportation over the -bay. - -The transfer was made and then, man-like, the hunters all clamored for -an explanation. "To think of leaving us stranded all day and half the -night!" exclaimed Mr. Ashby. - -"We thought you planned to be hunting until sundown," said Mrs. Ashby. - -"And of course you would be worn out when you got back and would -appreciate a little quiet on the quay," added Mrs. Fabian, smilingly. - -"Where have you been?" demanded Jack. - -"We've been cooling our heels ever since four o'clock." - -"Perhaps we had the best time then," said Mrs. Courtney. "I certainly -enjoyed myself immensely to-day and this evening." - -"We all did," echoed her companions. "We sailed all round Jamaica and -saw sights which you men would not bother to stop and appreciate. We -have seen the tiny palm-covered coral dots which lift their heads above -the rippling sea and warn us to keep a keen watch for the reefs hidden -under the water. We have had pointed out to us the great mountainsides -where the three hundred thousand black slaves climbed in order to face -the rising sun on the dawn of the day that witnessed their emancipation. -We got birdseye views of the other towns on the Island of Jamaica--Port -Antonio, Montego Bay, and the smaller settlements which dot the island -like so many studs of color. Oh, yes! we had a glorious sail--thanks to -our good Captain." - -"And thanks to the good yacht," laughed Mr. Dalken. - -"We may as well add: thanks to Dalky and his generous invitation to us," -concluded Polly. - -And to the latter motion every one called a unanimous hurrah! - -The following day was given to visiting the cathedral which is the -oldest building on the island. It can show an antiquity of four -centuries and withstood all battles for supremacy of different factions -and nations since 1523. Polly and Eleanor went with Mr. Fabian and Mr. -Ashby to examine and study the old monuments, the style of decoration, -and the many other notable points of interest to architects and -decorators. - -Having ended this visit, the tourists returned to the White Crest and -sailed away, but to stop at Hope Gardens--the Botanical Gardens and a -show-place of Jamaica. There were many other places to be visited, a -list of them showing that some would have to be eliminated. So after -"doing" Belle View, Castleton, and Mandeville, the entire party voted to -say goodby to Jamaica, the Queen of the Antilles, and continue on their -vagabondage. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--MEETING OLD FRIENDS IN PANAMA - - -After leaving Jamaica the Captain asked for instructions as to the -chosen direction and the next stopping place. - -"Well, after once seeing Jamaica, I suppose we have virtually seen every -other island in the Caribbean Group. The flowers, the climate, the -natives, even the employments are all similar if not exactly alike. -There is but one point of interest that is not common to them all, and -that is the volcano of Mont Pele on Martinique. - -"But volcanoes are no curiosity to Polly because she lives in the crater -of one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the Rockies, so there is no -call for the White Crest to stop at Martinique to show her Mont Pele," -explained Mr. Dalken. - -"Why not sail along past the different islands of the archipelago and -have a good look at them from our comfortable deck chairs," suggested -Mrs. Courtney. - -This proposition was received with approval and the Captain was advised -to steer a course as close as practical to the coral formations, and, -those islands of volcanic structure, and permit the tourists to see the -Windward Islands without troubling to go ashore. - -Hence the yacht, in its cruise, sailed past Porto Rico, and the long -string of tiny isles connecting that important island with Barbados and -Trinidad. St. Lucia, Dominica, and Martinique were left behind, and then -the Captain changed his course to a westward direction. - -Leaving Venezuela to the southward he sped on for the Canal Zone. The -plan originally made in New York would then be followed as closely as -possible. At Colon the White Crest would anchor until her passengers had -visited all that was to be in that town seen, and then they would go -through the great locks of the Canal and eventually reach the Pacific -Ocean. - -Mr. Dalken and the Captain figured that a week would be ample time in -which to visit everything and come out of the Canal to the Colombia -shore. But they reckoned without the young folks, as usual. - -Soon after the yacht had anchored at Colon, the tourists started to -visit the town. They had not gone far before Jack discovered there would -be a great baseball match at the public park between the United States -army side and the Colon players. His eye caught the names of two members -of the regiment stationed at Panama, and he turned to show them to Ray. - -"Could it possibly be Bill Ainslee and Bob Madden of the A. E. F. in -France?" - -"I did hear something about Bill remaining with the regulars to try -South America. We can't lose out by introducing ourselves, anyway, and -ten to one the boys will turn out to be our old Buddies," said Ray. - -The proposition was made and accepted to go and see the ball game late -that afternoon; the girls felt as much interest in knowing whether or -not the two soldiers at Panama were the ones Jack believed them to be. - -No sooner was the Dalken party seated in the Grand Stand, than Jack and -Ray hurried away. They were gone a long time, and the eager spectators -on the bleachers as well as those in the Grand Stand, had to call and -show impatience at the delay of the opening of the game before the teams -came out. - -Jack and Ray returned to their friends on the Grand Stand. One glance at -their smiling faces told the girls that they had found pals. Jack was -bubbling over with pleasure at the meeting and the plans they had made -for a good time during the visit at Panama. - -"Gee! Bill looks great! He was so white and thin in the trenches over -there, but now he has filled out and looks wonderful. I never dreamed he -would turn out to be so handsome, did you, Ray?" - -"No, but then Bob isn't far behind in looks. It must be this climate -that tans them to such a glorious shade," said Ray. - -"There are other things than tan that this climate does to one," -remarked Mr. Dalken, briefly. The boys laughed and agreed with him. - -"For instance, malaria caught while alligator hunting," said Mrs. -Fabian, because she had heard the men discussing the possibility of -their tired feeling being the result of the swamp visit. - -The game now opened and the girls were all eyes and interest to see the -Panama team win, because Jack happened to know two of the players. -Whether it was the knowledge that four pretty girls were seated in the -Grand Stand watching, or whether it was their usual manner of pitching -and batting, the fact remains that Bill and Bob were the champion -members of the team that day, and carried away the honors. - -After the game ended the two crack players changed their togs and -reappeared in uniform. Jack met them and escorted them to meet Mr. -Dalken's party. Then Polly saw that Jack had not exaggerated one bit -when he had declared his two friends to be decidedly good looking. - -"My! They're more than that, Poll," whispered Eleanor, in breathless -admiration. "I think Bill is just too dear for anything." - -Ray overheard her remark. He grinned teasingly and said: "It's the -uniform, my dear child! If Bob or Bill wore a bell boy's uniform, they'd -look just as good, but you wouldn't think so." - -"Pooh! No such thing!" exclaimed Eleanor, shrugging her pretty shoulders -at Ray. - -"Well, here is Jack and here am I, and I'm sure we are not bad looking, -yet you never said you thought me 'too dear for anything,'" complained -Ray. - -"How could I speak an untruth?" retorted Eleanor, laughing. - -"All right for you! I'll spy upon you after this and when I find you -enjoying a tte--tte with a 'dear for anything boy' I'll spoil it--see -if I don't!" Ray threatened but the girls knew he cared not a fig -whether they thought him handsome or not. He was all for a good time and -that was the end of his ambitions. - -"Ray, you don't stand a ghost of a show in the running with Bill or -Bob," declared Jack. "Bill with his French Medal and Bob with his -Decoration for Bravery simply put us out of sight when the girls are on -hand to offer adulation at the shrines of these heroes." - -"Oh, Jack! Tell us--are the two baseball players great heroes of the late -war?" exclaimed Mrs. Courtney, eagerly. - -"There now! Didn't I tell you so!" laughed Jack, winking at his chum. -"Even the adult admirers forget we are on earth the moment one mentions -Bill and Bob." - -"Please, oh, _please_, Jack, tell us the story of, what they did over -there," beseeched Polly. - -"If I were to tell you that tale I'd spoil it in the telling. Better ask -Bill and Bob to tell their own thrillers,--if you really want to hear -something that will compare favorably with those hair-raising -experiences on Grizzly Slide," replied Jack, earnestly. - -During this little side-gossip the two victors in the recent contest -with the Colon players, were engaged in talking to Mr. Dalken. Now they -turned and addressed Jack. - -"Mr. Dalken wishes us to dine on the yacht, but we shall have to ask -permission to do that. I only wish we had a pull with some one, in order -to get several days off. Then we could show you about in great style!" -Bill kept his eyes fixed upon Polly as he spoke, and any one might think -he was addressing her only. Eleanor smiled, but she had failed to turn -and look at Bill's companion. It was Nancy and Ruth who had to smile now -at the attentive manner in which Bob stared at pretty Eleanor, totally -oblivious of the other girls in the party. - -"Oh, Mr. Ainslee, Dalky here is the professional wire-puller of North -America--didn't you know that? I'm sure he can find a string that will -work for you," laughed Polly. - -"Tell me the names of the officers in your regiment, Ainslee, and let me -see if I know them," added Mr. Dalken. - -"There now! Didn't I tell you he could work it?" laughed Polly, while -the other members in the group also laughed at their host's quick -acceptance of the suggestion. - -Having mentioned the various officers and spoken of their individual -tendencies, Mr. Dalken smiled wisely. "Leave the whole matter to me, -boys, and we will win out." - -"Tell us, Dalky! What can you do about tonight?" asked the girls -eagerly. - -"For to-night, I propose having all the officers _and_ the two heroes of -the ball game on the yacht to dinner. They cannot very well say no to -Bill and Bob if they accept for themselves, can they?" - -"Good gracious, Dalky! If you plan to have a dinner party it is high -time we all ran away to prepare for the social event," declared Mrs. -Courtney. This was the first time she had ever used the familiar name -the girls had given Mr. Dalken, but it did not escape Polly's notice. -She gave Eleanor a glance, but Eleanor had been too interested in -learning the outcome of the proposition made by Mr. Dalken. - -"I haven't the slightest hope that our invitation will be accepted for -this evening, as in all probability the officers have made other -engagements for dinner. But it paves the way for me to urge them to give -Bill and Bob leave of absence for to-night. Then I will invite the men -who cannot come to-night, to come as soon as they can make the date. I -believe I have a speaking acquaintance with the Colonel and I hope to -improve our acquaintance while we stop here--then you girls ought to be -able to make the most of this opportunity by winning a few days' -vacation for Bill and Bob." - -"Fine!" exclaimed Eleanor, clapping her hands. "Now you three men hurry -away and see the Colonel." - -Bill and Bob looked at Mr. Dalken and, seeing he was willing to -accompany them, they politely said good-afternoon to the other members -in the party and stood ready to go. - -"There may be strength in numbers, and we are glad to go with you," -hinted Jack, linking an arm in that of Ray and stepping up beside the -host. - -"As far as strength goes I always favor pretty girls for power when one -has to use diplomacy and cunning," laughed Mr. Dalken. - -"Not in this case, however," retorted Bill. "If our Colonel knew the -danger we boys were running by volunteering to walk right up before the -ammunition of beauty, he'd never let us out of his sight." - -"Ha! Mr. Ainslee discovered other things in France besides medals for -bravery!" laughed Mrs. Courtney, shaking a playful finger at him. - -"Medals! Who told you anything about medals?" asked Bill, with genuine -amazement in his voice. - -"A little bird whispered it at my ear," laughed Mrs. Courtney teasingly. - -"I know the bird! We always thought it was a raven over there--from the -way he croaked whenever he had to eat army mess," was the humorous reply -from Bill. - -Midst the general laugh at Jack's expense which followed Bill's speech, -the men left and walked in the direction of the waiting automobile which -had been placed at the ball-players' disposal for the day. - -Polly turned to her friends and said: "Oh, I'm sure Dalky will succeed -in getting them off for a few days. I really believe Dalky can do -_anything_!" - -Eleanor glanced at Mrs. Courtney as Polly spoke, and caught a puzzling -expression which had flashed over that lady's face. In a moment, -however, she was as inscrutable as ever she cared to appear. - -"We may as well go into this shop and have a lemonade while we are -waiting for the returns of the election," suggested Mr. Ashby. - -"Do you think it will take the boys very long to find the officer who -can permit them to get off tonight?" asked Polly. - -"I have an idea that Bill will know exactly where to find his superiors -and not more than half an hour should elapse before they will come -back," returned Mr. Ashby, glancing at his watch. - -"I was about to say--that we should have gone on to the yacht and dressed -for to-night, if they are to be gone as long as that," ventured Polly. - -"I tell you what we might do!" cried Eleanor, plumping her glass upon -the marble slab with such emphasis that the lemonade spattered up and -over her hands. "Leave Mr. Fabian and Mr. Ashby at this corner so the -others can see them upon their return, and we ladies go on to the yacht -and touch up for the evening's fray." - -"That's just what I was about to say," added Mrs. Courtney. - -"Where's the fray? You ladies never thought the superior faction of this -yachting party worthy of captivation before," remarked Mr. Fabian -cynically, albeit he smiled. - -"I should say not! Two old married fogies, two harum-scarum boys, and a -grass-widower!" exclaimed Nancy Fabian. - -A general laugh rewarded Nancy's retort, and Mr. Ashby held up both -hands in a helpless manner. "Oh, for pity's sake, go--GO and touch up for -the young men, or Fabian and I shall have to crawl under the soda -fountain to escape your wit!" - -The girls started up at that and the ladies followed laughingly; soon -they were out of sight on their way to the White Crest and an elaborate -toilette for the dinner party that night. - -"Some one ought to let the chef know Dalky expects to bring back guests -for dinner," ventured Polly to Mrs. Courtney. - -"I think orders have been given," replied she in a quiet tone. - -"Why! How did Dalky know we expected to meet the boys whom Jack and Ray -knew in France?" asked Polly, in astonishment. - -"He didn't. But he did say that he thought it would be very pleasant to -have us meet the officers of the Post stationed at the Canal. It was his -intention to invite them to dine at their first opportunity. Hence he -left orders for the chef to prepare for extra plates every evening while -we are here," explained Mrs. Courtney. - -"Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed Polly, but Eleanor wondered if Mrs. -Fabian and Mrs. Ashby, as well as Mrs. Courtney, knew of this -arrangement. - -Long before the females in the party came from their rooms robed in such -becoming gowns as would distract any young man who, because of army -discipline, had not had many opportunities to enjoy society, the men -came on board and, by the hilarious manner of their conversation, -suggested that _apparently_ they had celebrated the victory of the Army -baseball players in a social drink of native wine. But this was not the -case. Sheer exuberance of spirits, natural not fermented, made the four -boys who had known each other in France, bubble over and sparkle with -wit and fun. - -Mr. Dalken invited Bill and Bob to amuse themselves on deck while he and -his male guests retired and dressed for dinner. Hence the two young men -were lounging in the great reed chairs when Polly and Eleanor appeared. -There was no time for a little flirtation, however, as Mrs. Courtney -came out, looking magnificent in an American Beauty georgette gown, with -her diamond neck-band and pendant earrings sparkling from throat and -ears. Polly gazed in appreciative admiration at the combination of dark -wavy hair, high-colored complexion, and brilliant brown eyes, with the -rich crimson of the dress and the cold white of the diamonds. - -Soon after this the other ladies joined the group on deck and finally -the men came forth in their somber black dinner coats and immaculate -white collars and cuffs. Jack came puffing and fanning himself with his -handkerchief. - -"Well, you girls ought to pay us a tribute for willingly going to the -torture chair to-night. Stiff collars and heavy cloth coats on a torrid -night as this in the Canal Zone!" - -"Nobody asked you to!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Maybe not, but we knew what we would get if we appeared in the lists, -with our friends here in their uniform, and the rest of us in our -tropical togs," returned Jack. - -"Oh, then it is mere pride that drove you to the deed?" asked Polly. - -"No, it was desperate fear!" exclaimed Ray. "What chance would we stand -with a bevy of wonderful orchids and two dazzling hummingbirds--meaning -Bill and Bob, of course,--if we looked like sparrows from the city -streets?" - -Every one laughed. "Orchids are too good to be forgotten," added Polly; -"every time I see an orchid hereafter I shall remember that, for once in -my lifetime, I was compared to the rare and beautiful flower." - -"Rare in New York, perhaps, but anything but rare down here!" retorted -Jack. - -"Oh, pshaw! Why spoil such a lovely compliment with the truth," -remonstrated Mrs. Courtney. - -The constant teasing and darts of wit between Jack and Ray on the one -side and Polly and Eleanor on the other, had been one source of -amusement and perpetual fun for the tourists in Mr. Dalken's party, and -now that Bill and Bob had joined the others on deck that night, the -quick repartee seemed tossed back and forth like a tennis ball between -clever players. - -A man servant now came over to announce dinner, and then, for the first -time, Polly realized that the officers who were to be invited to dinner -had not appeared. - -"Where is the Colonel, Dalky?" asked she, wonderingly. - -"Couldn't find him anywhere, but I secured the acceptance of the other -officers for dinner to-morrow night," explained he. - -"You did more than that, Dalky!" declared Jack, with a delighted glance -at Bill and Bob. "You got the boys three days' leave while we are -stationed here." - -"Oh, really! Goody, goody!" cried several young voices in a chorus of -joy. - -"And an invitation for all to attend the usual weekly hop to-morrow -night, but I can't see for the life of me how any one can dance with the -thermometer pushing the top of the mercury out of the tube," grumbled -Jack. - -"Listen to him! Any one would think he isn't the maddest one of the -group when dancing is to be had!" laughed Mr. Dalken. - -After finishing the first course, the host turned to his two new guests -and said: "We are on the griddle for the tale of your experiences in -France, boys. I know the girls have had difficulty in curbing their -feminine curiosity to hear of your exploits." - -Both young men flushed, but Bob managed to say: "Bill, here, is the -crack story-teller. I always take a back seat when he is on hand to do -the honors for both." - -Therefore Bill was deluged with demands for the story, and having -cleared his throat in a self-conscious way, he began. - -But his preparations were ruined at that moment, when the Belgian lad on -the yacht, now unexpectedly introduced a diversion. He had approached -with a laden tray, in order to assist the man servant who had charge of -the dinner party, but when he saw the two young men in uniform, he -immediately sat the tray upon the floor and ran over to fall upon Bill's -neck. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--THE TALE TOLD BY THE BELGIAN - - -"Agh, mine goot savior! Mine beeg fine frent! I feel so full to choy dat -I must cry!" The Belgian acted exactly like an overjoyed mastiff when -his master returns from a long absence. - -"Why, Johann! This _is_ a surprise," cried Bob, rising from his chair -and joining Bill who still remained pinned in the arms of the happy -foreigner. - -The others in the party at the dinner table watched with amazement as -the little tableaux came to a finish. - -"Now that Johann is on the stage, it is most appropriate that he tell -the story of our adventures in France. For, be it known to all present, -Jo was with us when we first went over with the Canadian boys, and it -was Jo's mother who nursed me after I got away from the Hun temporary -prison in Belgium." - -Bill now turned to Johann and made him understand that he was to tell -those around the table of the adventures of the three buddies. Mr. -Dalken immediately placed a chair for Johann, but that worthy felt he -could talk louder and gesticulate better if he stood upon his long -staunch legs. - -"Agh! Dat wass beeg times--ven we fight so fine for my countree, eh? But -now--agh! poor Johann iss no more dan a keetchen boy." - -The great big fellow shook his head despairingly and had it not been -that he was deadly in earnest over the complaint, his audience would -have laughed at such a dire circumstance as his being a kitchen boy. - -"Yah! I tells dat story fine, Beel! Now hear me: Von day in ver early -morning, I am sent to find someting to eat fer my mudder and seek -seester. I like to belong to a solger's life but eferyone say I too -younk and I got'ta tak care ofer my family. Dis time I hear one farmer -got a beeg peeg what he not like the Huns to eat, and he sent me vord to -come carry him off and help to keel him. - -"Veil, I go so far on one road dat I think pretty soon thet farm he come -up and show himself, but I finds onny black smokin' ruins wherever I go. -When I think I been gone far enough on one road I say to myself: 'Jo, -now go dis way--mebbe dat man live down dis way.' I take him. But I not -find a farm--I find plenty Huns what sit and laff and eat pork what dey -fry ofer a wood fire. - -"I smell dat pork and I know now dey eat dat peeg what my farmer fren -send vord to me to come keel for my mudder. So I go right up to dem six -fat enemy, and I speak right out in him face and tell him what I feel. -Mebbe dey don't laff so much at me dat one man he say: 'Ketch him and -slit his gullet. He make a fine beeg dinner next time we eat!' - -"Veil, and so, anudder Hun come ofer and stick out a hand to hoi' my -arm, but I shake him off like I feel he insult me. Den one fat feller -what looks like a boss, calls out for him to put me in the peegpen where -two more prisoners they keep. - -"Queeck like anything four Huns ketch hold on me and push me in a leetle -pen where I see here my good fren' Beel and my nudder fine fren' Bob. We -tree mus' live in a peeg pen all night, and nex' day dose fat enemy tink -to take us to a prison in heem own countree. But I tink difrunt. - -"I say to Beel here, 'Six Huns, tree white man. Six what so fat dey no -jump, and tree of us what lean like famine.' But we got good arm, and we -stay in dat peeg pen all night and fix up sometings what make our enemy -fall down er run like nudding. - -"All night we vork and pull old wood from dat peeg pen and viles our -enemy sleep we fix up our cloobs. I mix oop so much peeg-mud in big -cannon balls like anyt'ing, and Beel he laffs so much he falls down. Bob -here he not laff so much but he grin all over cause we got such a fine -way to shoot dem enemy and run away. - -"Veil, Beel say dis Hun bunch what he call foratch scouts--dem what -should go out and bring in eat stuff. But dis crowd sit and eat what dey -find, and so mebbe dey got'ta go back in the morning. Anyway, I hear the -boss say late dat night, 'You two go back and report in the mornin'--no -food yet. We four go on and keep huntin' for more. See!' - -"Yes, two men see, and I see, too! Dat's ven I tell my plans and we vork -hard all night. - -"Pretty soon, when daylight comes ofer the sky, two men hurry off, and -leaves four enemy to me. I got efery plan fixt so I tel Beel and Bob to -be retty to hit dem cloobs hard, soon as I fire my soft mud-balls right -in dem beeg fat faces of dem Chermans. Den I fixes plenty soft--ah, so -soft--peeg-pen dirt-balls on my left arm, and I comes out sofly to where -the Boss rolls on the grass asleep, and I stuff most his face and his -mout' all full of peeg-mud. Same time I fire mud-bullets all in the face -of dem udder tree solgers, whiles Beel and Bob come right off me and -whack! Bang! down coom dem peeg cloobs on top off dose Hun's heads. One, -two, fall down on the ground, and the Boss he got what Beel calls -bracelets put on his hands, queeck. Bob he find dem right by the side of -dat Boss, so he use 'em right! - -"Veil, one man what stands oop, and dat Boss, we mek to walk queeck--oh -so queeck--for the army what sits off away from the Hun side. And pooty -soon, we march ofer No Man lant and Beel yell like he was mad. Eferybody -mek such a beeg time ofer me, and Beel and Bob say I must go to tell the -Capataine all about dem peeg mud-shots. So we go and Capataine laff, oh -he laff, and he say: 'Give Johann all the food he can take to his -family.' - -"But I say: 'Agh, no, Mr. Capataine! All dem enemy now like to ketch Jo -and find out how to mek peeg cannons, and I nefer again see my seester -and mudder. Mebbe I like much better to dress oop like my seester and -ride back to home in a peasant cart, yes?' - -"Efery body laff again and say yes. So I find Beel here to go to get me -a gurl's dress, and I put him on. But Jo not so beeg den as now, and dat -dress go on pooty goot, eh, Beel?" - -Thus appealed to Bill agreed, but the hardly controlled laughter of the -audience now pealed forth and the narrator could not be heard for a few -moments. Then he resumed his tale. - -"All right! Beel and Bob find me a seat in a Belgium peasant cart what -drivin' back home, and I sit like a nice beeg gurl on a seat and call -her mudder. I find goot luck dat time, cause no Hun stop me and no one -take the beeg dinner what Capataine pack for my family. - -"Mebbe my mudder not cry tears for joy when I come in all dressed oop -like my seester, and my seester she laff and say: 'Now I got a fine new -dress to wear.' - -"Veil, I tell my mudder I got'ta go join Beel's friend's in dis fight. I -find I beeg enuff to take prisoner by my enemy, so I beeg enuff to -fight, too! My mudder cry, and my seester say. 'Oh, vere shall we find -help?' En I say: 'Leaf this old house 'cause soon it make fire for my -enemy to cook peegs, and you run so fast what you can to my onkel's in -Bruges.' So dey run an' I coom back to fight wid Beel. And so dat's -all." - -As he concluded his story, Johann instantly stooped and took the -abandoned tray. He quickly transferred its contents to the table and -turned to hurry back to the kitchen without waiting for applause from -his interested audience. At the same moment the Oriental chef came down -the deck and brandished a long wooden spoon. Johann saw and grinned. He -half turned to Mr. Dalken and said in a most laughable way: "My enemy -cooms!" - -Then he scuttled away down the other side of the craft, and the chef -stood and shook an angry fist in his direction. But the Oriental heard -the loud laughter from those seated at table, and saw their pleased -faces and he surmised that Johann must have been the cause of it. Hence -he hurried back to his culinary heaven to question the servant and learn -what had so amused the guests. - -"Jo hasn't told half the story," declared Bob, as the merry laughter -subsided. - -"No, he skipped anything that went to tell you what a loyal man he was, -and how he fought for country as well as for us, his friends." Bill -seemed to go back and mentally review the incidents. - -"Then it is up to you to tell us, Bill," said Jack. - -"Perhaps we have a hero with us who should have had a decoration. I -believe in giving honor where honor is due, and Jo shall have everything -that's coming to him," said Mr. Dalken. - -"Well, the Croix de Guerre which I wear belongs to Jo, according to all -rules of the game, but it fell to my lot to get it, and to Jo's lot to -get the shell in his leg," said Bill. This caused a demand for the -story, and Bill began. - -"Bob and I volunteered at midnight to hunt on No Man's Land for the -officer who had important orders in the breast pocket of his uniform. He -went out that afternoon with his men but was reported missing upon our -return. No one saw him fall, nor had he been seen captured by the enemy -with whom we had a mix-up. This was soon after Jo returned from home to -link his future with that of the Canadian Troops. - -"We managed to crawl unseen all over the same ground where we had the -skirmish late that afternoon, but not a sign of the lieutenant could we -see. Finally Bob lifted his head and nodded at what had seemed to me to -be a heap of debris. - -"'It's a ruin,' whispered Bob. 'I don't remember seeing it there this -evening.' - -"'You didn't, Bob. It was a little barn when last we came out here,' -replied I. - -"'Then a shell must have smashed it since. Could the Left, have been -near it, do you think?' Bob's tone suggested possibilities, so I -silently agreed to follow him. - -"We crept along, slowly and carefully, fearful of a surprise at any -moment, for the enemy were out that night as well as others, and they -might be seeking in this ruin, exactly as we purposed to seek for -missing pals. - -"We reached the heap of stones and plaster without interruption and then -we felt we could breathe better. The barn fell so that some of the -timbers caught in the ends of others and stuck up after the manner of -loose jack straws. Under this small hollow pyramid was enough shelter -for both of us, and we crept there hoping to hide and plan our return. - -"To my horror I came in contact with a cold face, and after discreetly -feeling over the body I found it to be a Hun. We heaved a sigh of relief -to find it was not our Lefty. But close upon that relief came a shock: A -groan from under the timbers. - -"'Look out for a surprise!' warned Bob, and I nodded. - -"But we had no time to lose in wariness, for immediately after the moan -we heard a German cursing fluently. The voice was not the same. I soon -made my way into the impromptu cave and there discovered our officer, -pinned down by a timber and quite unconscious. It was his moan we had -heard. Almost within arm's reach of him, the Hun soldier was pinned down -also, but he could not move his body even though he was mad to drive his -spike into our Lefty's unconscious heart. - -"In a few shakes we had the German tied securely and the timbers lifted -from our officer. Then we planned to return with the injured man upon -our backs. The enemy we were hoping to drive before us into camp, but he -objected so strenuously that we feared detection if we insisted. It was -more important to get the officer back and leave the Hun. Yet we did not -care to murder him in cold blood, and he refused to go quietly. We -decided to bang him over the head with one of the logs, and when -senseless we could drag him after us. Even this seemed unnecessary risk -at the time, so we made him understand that we would shoot him down in -his track if he refused to creep ahead of us as commanded. He knew that -he ran the danger of fire from both sides should we be discovered on No -Man's Land, yet he was daring enough the moment we had started on our -way to try and expose us to that double fire. In fact, he figured that -there would be but one German less if all were killed, but there would -be three men of his enemy's side lost. But he failed in his little plot. - -"We had not advanced ten feet, I was carrying the officer upon my back -as I managed to worm my way after Bob, when we heard a small unit of -Germans coming from the other direction. They, too, were creeping, -creeping stealthily, in order to find their lost companions. -Fortunately, we had gagged the Hun who went in advance of me, and he -could not shout, but he could kick up such a racket on the ground with -his feet that it must attract attention in the stillness of the night. - -"That made Bob so mad that he stood right up, grabbed the Hun and -hustled him back again to the ruin. I had no choice but to turn with my -load and return also. We had hardly reached this comparative security -when the Germans who were out to find their comrades, heard us and -reached the spot we had just abandoned. - -"'They'll be in here next!' whispered Bob. 'Got your gun ready?' - -"I had placed the officer back under the low shelter of the fallen -timbers, and then roped the Hun to a huge post, which had been a corner -stud of the barn, leaving the gag in his mouth; his head and his arms -secured, to prevent his chewing the ropes or fumbling with his harness. -Then I took my station near the aperture by which any one would have to -enter the ruin. Bob squatted on the other side of the heap. - -"We had not long to wait. In only too short an interval, the heads of -our enemy came into view. They were not as circumspect as Bob and I had -been, for they did not advance with guns cocked and ready, hence I found -it an easy matter to pluck the gun directly out of the hand of the first -comer. At the same moment, as if he caught my idea, Bob fell upon him -and closed his mouth with a big flat hand. The surprised man was so -frightened that he forgot to yell for help, and his other two comrades -came on without warning until it was too late to retreat. - -"The captured man did give a cry but it was muffled and so -unintelligible that his pals might have taken it to come from prisoners -he had found within the ruin. But the two who followed the first capture -were alert, and poked the muzzles of their rifles almost in my face -without being able to see what they were up against. I dropped suddenly -and rolled over against the hulk of the man who came first. The blow -against his legs and in the pit of his stomach made him double over me -and go headlong into the Hun who sat roped against the post. Instantly I -was on him and had him at a disadvantage. It took but a jiffy to force -back his arms and make him let go his clutch on the gun. I laughed at -the simple task we had had, when right behind me sounded the report of a -rifle. It was so close to my head that I jumped and let go the hold on -my prisoner. - -"But the bullet meant for me found its rest in the German I had just -released. He rolled over with a groan, and I turned to fight the third -man whose gun I thought had fired at me. To my astonishment I saw Johann -in silent combat with the enemy. He had crept in just in time to see the -Hun aim at me, and he had jumped the man so unexpectedly that the rifle -went off wild and hit the wrong man. - -"In a few seconds we had all the prisoners roped and willing to follow -wherever we commanded--even to the ends of the earth. And Jo insisted -upon taking our officer upon his own broad back. We managed to secure -the Lieutenant to his back by means of bits of harness found in the -ruins of the old barn, and having secured the important order in my own -breast-pocket, we started out, driving the four prisoners before us. - -"It was almost dawn when we reached our own line, and great was the -welcome we got as we came in 'bringing our sheaves with us.' But, as I -say, Bob and I got the medals, for doing what really Johann brought to a -pass. Without his presence at the very moment when he was needed most, I -would have been a dead man and Bob would have been at the mercy of three -lively Huns. And it was Jo who turned the table for us." - -When Bill had finished his story, the girls cheered for Jo. He was just -approaching with the next course, but when he saw all the eager smiling -faces turned his way, and realized that Beel had told the story of the -old ruins, he set the heavy tray upon the seat of a chair and fled. -Scouts were sent to find him and bring him back, but not a trace of him -could they see. He had found a better hiding place than his seester's -dress in which he had travelled back to his home in Belgium that day. - -"Well, let's finish our dinner, children, and then we will take up the -hunt for Jo. It will be better fun than hunting the slipper," remarked -Mr. Dalken. - -The dinner continued merrily, every one pleased at the discovery of a -real hero on the crew of the yacht, and Mr. Dalken pleased to hear of -Jo's courage and simple childlike bravery without thought of recompense. -But he also had a plan. - -Later in the evening, while the young folks were dancing and trying -their best to forget the warm climate of the Equator, Mr. Dalken slipped -away and remained absent for some time. He had gone to find Jo and have -a heart to heart talk with him. - -Thus he learned that Jo had signed up to take this voyage in order to -earn more money to send to his sister who now was in a French hospital -in the north of France, suffering from nervous collapse and lack of -nutrition. His aged mother had died from exposure at the time the enemy -had swarmed over Belgium and had driven every native forth from home and -friends. - -"Well, Jo, I am going to communicate with a relative who is doing -reconstruction work in France now, and I shall ask her to visit your -sister and see if she is able to travel. If she is I shall send her the -money to bring her over to you, and henceforth you shall work for me--not -for the Captain, or the chef, or any other boss, but for me. Do you like -the plan?" - -Johann sat and stared for a few moments, then he jumped up and shouted. -"Do I like heem! Oh, Meester Boss, I _love_ heem! And my seek -seester--ah, I love you, Beeg Boss!" And to Mr. Dalken's astonishment -Johann threw both arms about his neck and wept tears of joy upon the -nice black dinner coat. - -But Mr. Dalken never mentioned this to others, for he appreciated the -embrace which came spontaneously from the heart of this great big giant -of a young Belgian whose gratitude was unbounded. And he took Johann's -hand and shook it in a friendly way, to seal the compact. Just as he -ended the hand-shaking, the chef came in. - -"O-oh, Hon'able Master, muchee warm t'night! Most hon'able company feel -plenty sweat mebbe--me pour nice cool jlink, eh, Hon'able Boss?" - -"I wish you would, please, and throw in plenty of ice," laughed Mr. -Dalken, turning and leaving the little room. - -"Come, now, Mos' Hon'able So'jer in French--pour plenty ice for our Mos' -Hon'able Boss," commanded the chef, thus placing Johann upon a pedestal -from which he could look down upon all the other members of the crew -thenceforth and forever. For the Oriental had heard the story of the -medals and bowed down in hero worship and named Jo "Mos' Hon'able Jo" -thereafter. To the delighted Belgian it was as acceptable an honor as -the medal was to "Beel." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--HIGH LIFE AT THE CANAL - - -After the first day at the Canal Zone, not one member of Mr. Dalken's -party had time in which to plan for anything beyond the Canal. Bill and -Bob returned late that first night and reported to their companions at -the Barracks that "Beeg Jo" was on board the White Crest; the officer -who had been rescued and carried back to camp on Johann's back during -the world war was now one of the officers in charge of the American Post -at Panama. Thus one can readily understand the result of such -information. - -All the second day the tourists were entertained by Bill and Bob, and -were shown about the country in touring cars which had been pressed into -service by the eager youths. Not only did the yacht-party see everything -worth seeing at Colon and Cristobal, but they saw more of the country -round about the Atlantic side of the Canal than most visitors do who -land there. - -After dinner that night the entire party was escorted to the Hop at -Government Headquarters, where dancing formed the programme of the -evening's entertainment. The coolness of the air made the dancing all -the more enjoyable, and the visitors declared they had never had such a -pleasant time. - -Before the ladies said good-night to return to the yacht the government -men had promised them an aeroplane trip the next morning. Mr. Dalken -demurred somewhat when it was first proposed, but his objections were -soon overruled by the girls who were thrilled at the prospect of going -up in a great army plane. - -Finally it was agreed that Mr. Dalken with his two men friends should go -up first and test the safety of the plane. If he felt assured that it -was quite safe for younger persons he would consent to their going up. - -The entire party made for the field where the hangars of the two 'planes -were to be seen. One 'plane was a small affair which carried but two -passengers, but the other 'plane was a large one with a capacity for -seven passengers besides the engineer and his assistant. - -The air sail of about twenty minutes was completed and Mr. Dalken landed -again upon terra firma. It was his first flight of any distance or -height, and he had enjoyed it thoroughly. He was enthusiastic in his -praise of the manner in which the 'plane had been handled by the -experienced men. - -But a sudden darkness swept over the sky and the natives were seen to -scamper off for shelter, while the officers and aeronauts hastened their -guests to the hangars until the squall of rain should be over. It fell -just as it had fallen one day at Jamaica; it came down in torrents for a -few minutes, then the sun shone forth again in dazzling brightness. - -The girls were eager to get into the aeroplane and take their trip, but -the pilot looked troubled and shook his head. - -"What is the matter, Bill?" asked his companion. - -"I don't like the looks of the sky--we're not through with the squall, -I'm thinking." - -"I think it would be heaps of fun to be above the clouds when it rains -down here," ventured Eleanor, coaxingly, to Mr. Dalken. - -"You wouldn't say that if you ever went up while a tropical squall -twisted the plane this way and that," remarked Bob, who had heard her -speech. - -"I'm afraid we shall have to call it off for today, ladies," announced -the pilot, with evident regret in his tone. - -"Well, then, we shall have all the more to look forward to to-morrow," -returned Polly, pleasantly, but Eleanor was annoyed at the delay. - -"I don't see why the nasty old weather had to come just now and spoil -all the fun!" pouted she. - -"As long as we do not advise taking the ladies up to-day, why not come -with us for a visit to our sugar plantation," suggested Bob. - -"What is there to see there?" pouted Eleanor, still angry. - -"Well, Bill and I have staked a little cane plantation over there and we -haven't inspected our property for two weeks. We were so busy practicing -for the ball game, and then you came on the scene. If you've never -visited a sugarcane plantation it will prove to be interesting, I'm -sure." - -As nothing else had been planned to take the place of the aeroplane trip -that day, the girls accepted the offer to inspect the small plantation. - -Having traveled swiftly over the rich country where so little farming -was done because of the exhausting heat, and the prolific crops of -nature-grown fruits and herbs, the two seven-passenger cars came to a -very pretty place. Bill and Bob who were driving, turned in to a rough -road more like a country lane, and passed acres of cane sugar. The two -young owners pointed with pride to their property, and well they might. - -"The man of whom we leased this acreage said he had a yield of from six -to eight tons of sucrose an acre every year. But he had more land than -he could cultivate, hence he leased us this acreage and agreed to keep -an eye on our men and the work, whenever he could. The richness of the -soil and the climate gives the cane grown here an unusual amount of -saccharine to the acre," Bill explained, as his hearers looked over the -vast fields of cane and admired his ambitions. - -"Gee, Bill! I don't know but that I'll go in with you boys on sugar -raising. I'm sure I'd like it down here," said Jack Baxter. "How about -it, Ray, want to go fifty-fifty in this?" - -Mr. Dalken laughed heartily. "If Ray knows you as well as I do, he'll -understand that you fall for every new project placed before you. If -some one caught you in the right mood and told you that your fortune was -to be had in digging a Canal through South America, from the Pacific to -the Atlantic, you'd agree with them and start in to dig. But you'd get -tired of it in a week and shirk the work." - -"Why, Dalky, you slander my ideals!" declared Jack. - -"Do I? What about Grizzly Slide and your determination to take up mining -out on the peaks of the Rockies? Then in New York you went so far as to -furnish an apartment for the sake of studying interior decorating," said -Mr. Dalken. - -"Oh, no, Dalky!" laughed Eleanor, quickly. "He never furnished that -apartment for the study of furniture, but only for the study of Polly." - -As this temporary infatuation of Jack's for Polly had been one of the -amusing incidents of the past year, his friends all laughed merrily. - -"Well, Mr. Dalken, no need to worry lest Jack buy out a partnership -share with us, because we haven't anything to sell. We leased the -plantation on a basis which forbids any one sinking money in the scheme. -If this year's cane turns out well, and we reap any profits, then we -shall feel like moneyed men--not now." - -As the cars drove on to visit the large plantation of the man who had -leased the small one to the soldier boys, the latter explained that cane -took about twelve months to mature; then after the first cutting another -crop came on; the second crop was called ratoons. Sometimes it was -possible, weather and cane both agreeing, to cut a third crop. - -From the plantations Bill and Bob drove their guests to the big mills -where the grinding was done. The cars passed several huge stand-pipes -which were filled with water from artesian wells. This water was carried -over the plantations in pipes and at regular intervals there was an open -flume. Into the conduit the water was emptied daily and this form of -trough carried the necessary moisture down the rows of cane to which it -gave the stipulated quantity of water. All this work was regulated by -automatic appliances easily handled and kept in order. - -Bob now explained the method of planting cane. "They do not use seed, -you know. The stalk is cut into sections of about two feet in length and -these pieces are dropped into furrows and covered with soil." - -At the mill the visitors saw great piles of cane: some being cut, some -being stripped, and some being piled upon great flat trucks all waiting -to be taken to the freight cars which would carry them to the boats at -Panama or at Colon. - -The noise made by the great machines as they crushed, rolled, or poured -the sugar from the cane, made conversation impossible. Bill next led his -friends along beside the carrier which constantly moved the cane through -the trough to feed the crushing machine. At the other side of this great -machine the sweet juice poured forth in torrents. - -The next process was that of pumping the cold juice into hot pans and -then boiling the contents by steam. The skimming and liming work, and -finally the feeding into the drying pans by means of coils of pipes, -proved interesting but very tiresome because the heat of the mill was -suffocating to the Northerners. Late in the afternoon the cars sped back -to Colon and the two young planters were induced to stay to dinner on -the White Crest. - -"To-morrow we will take you up in the 'planes and have you enjoy a long -ride, your last day at our Post," remarked Bob at dinner. - -"I feel perfectly safe in permitting the girls to go after having been -up and seeing for myself how careful you boys are," replied Mr. Dalken, -graciously. - -"I never thought I would enjoy a ride in the air, as I have always felt -timid about going up in a 'plane," said Mr. Fabian. "But I am so -thrilled by the trial that I want Mrs. Fabian to try it." - -"No, thank you, sir! I am quite satisfied with good old Mother Earth," -laughed his wife. - -Thus it happened on the following day that the two older ladies in the -party preferred to stay down, but Mrs. Courtney and the girls, together -with Jack and Ray, went forth to meet the aviators on the plain where -the government hangars stood. They had two 'planes waiting and ready for -the sail. A large seven-passenger machine and a smaller one which held -the pilot and two others. - -Into the large 'plane went Mrs. Courtney and Nancy Fabian and Ruth -Ashby, after them went the two young men, Jack and Ray. At last the -pilot Bob and his mechanician got in. Bill with Polly and Eleanor got in -the small 'plane. - -As the two aeroplanes began to ascend, Mr. Dalken called out: "Don't go -far! And don't remain away more than half an hour!" - -Those left behind stood and talked with a few of the army men who had -accompanied Bill and Ray to the field. But after waiting for half an -hour and no signs of returning 'planes could be seen or heard, the men -said they thought Bill and Bob had descended near Panama in order to -treat their company to afternoon tea. - -Soon after this Mr. Dalken heard the faint far-off sound of a motor in -the air, but no sight of it could be seen. Finally a speck was visible -in the sky and in a short time the large 'plane descended upon the -field, but not one vestige of the smaller one. - -"Why!" exclaimed Bob, after he had assisted the ladies to get out of his -'plane. "Aren't the others back yet?" - -"No, did you miss them?" asked Mr. Dalken. - -"I don't know which direction Bill went. We tried to keep up with them, -but that little 'plane is a hum-dinger for speed and it soon outstripped -us. The last we saw of it was when it was speeding over Miraflores -lock--right after that it disappeared and we saw no more of it. I flew -over the same place but it was not there." - -"I hope nothing happened to them!" ventured Mrs. Courtney anxiously. - -Before the group could decide upon any action, the sky suddenly clouded -over again and the rain began to empty the rest of its water upon the -section where the most damage might be done. Hence the aeroplane was -rushed into its hangar and the storm-stayed visitors hurried into the -empty hangar usually occupied by the small 'plane. - -It was almost six o'clock when the rain ceased and permitted the -tourists to return to their vessel. Jack and Ray went to the barracks -with Bob because they were invited guests to dinner that evening. - -Seven o'clock rang and darkness began to fall, yet no word had come from -the absent aviators and every one began to worry over what might have -befallen them. - -"If we do not hear from them within the hour I shall go after them. The -trains will probably run to Panama all night, and I will go there first -and start a general search," said Mr. Dalken. - -The rain had ceased entirely now, and the night settled down, but no -word or return of the absent girls. Then Mrs. Courtney took Mr. Dalken -aside and made a suggestion. - -"Suppose you accompany me to the telegraph station at Colon? From there -we will send out wires to all the small and large stations on the line -of the Canal. We may hear from some one in that way, and should we not -get any favorable report you can go on to Panama." - -With a few words of explanation the two then left the White Crest and -made their way to the station at Colon. Here they asked many questions -of the telegraph operator and found out that there were many places all -along the Canal where the stranded aviators might have secured shelter -during the storm and also for the night. - -But Mrs. Courtney said she would feel better if the messages were sent -broadcast in order to reach some one who would reply. Hence they began -to fill out the blanks for the man to use. Just as they had decided what -to write, the instrument in the office began to click. - -"I think this wire is from your two girls; is your name Mr. Dalken, from -the yacht called the White Crest?" asked the man. - -"Yes, yes! what do they say?" exclaimed Mr. Dalken anxiously. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--IN AND ABOUT PANAMA - - -"Now what do you think of that!" exclaimed Mr. Dalken, after reading the -message he had received from the stranded aviators who had landed beyond -the last lock of the Canal Zone. - -Mrs. Courtney took the message and read it to herself, then murmured: -"This is disappointing: I did so want to have the girls on board when we -went through the locks." - -"Well," sighed Mr. Dalken, "we may as well give orders to the Captain to -start early in the morning and meet the runaways at Panama--as Polly says -in her telegram." - -"If only she had told us where they would stop overnight, we could wire -there and tell them to get back here immediately. They should be able to -use the railroad, as long as they have been able to get to a telegraph -station," said Mrs. Courtney, a trifle annoyed at such inconsideration -on the girls' part. - -"I think we will give them their way this time, and have them miss the -gorgeous trip through the Canal. It will serve them good and right!" -declared Mr. Dalken, also impatient at such doings. - -But the "girls"--meaning Polly and Eleanor--had no cause for -disappointment or impatience. In the first place they did not see how -they were to be held accountable for the aeroplane's engine failing to -work just about the time they reached the vast park which borders both -sides of Miraflores Lock. In fact, they considered it an act on the part -of Providence that the 'plane had such a wonderful stretch of lawn upon -which to descend, instead of falling down in Gatun Lake, or upon the -rocky hills to be seen everywhere around. - -Because of an easy conscience, therefore, the two girls enjoyed an -unusual dinner at an interesting old Spanish restaurant in Panama; and -then accompanied the young aviator,--who had successfully brought his -disabled 'plane to the nearby park before mentioned,--to the Tivoli -Hotel, where a professional chaperone agreed to look after them in order -to satisfy Mrs. Courtney's concession to social requirements. - -"I think I shall have to be running along, ladies, if I am to have that -'plane ready for work in the morning," declared Bill, as they reached -the hotel verandah. - -"And you really think it will take the yacht from five to seven hours to -make the trip through?" asked Polly, anxiously. - -"Oh, yes! Even if everything runs smoothly, which it seldom does, you -know, where we have to depend upon native labor to drive the mules and -tow the boats. Better allow seven hours, at least, I think." - -"And you hope to be here for us at ten?" added Eleanor. - -"At ten, unless the engine goes on strike again," laughed Bill. - -"Well, then, you hurry along and forbid a strike, while we go to bed. -I'm tired with all the day's excitement," said Polly, trying to stifle a -yawn. - -Thus unceremoniously sent about his business, Bill laughed and lifted -his cap. In another minute he was out of sight down the old cobbled -street. - -Polly and Eleanor found it quite unnecessary to be rocked to sleep that -night; and it seemed but a few moments after they fell asleep before a -knock on the door of their suite roused them to action. It proved to be -a message from Bill, left at the hotel in his passing by to have -breakfast. The message told the girls the 'plane was in fine condition -for their return trip that morning. - -The girls dressed hurriedly and then hastened to the diningroom to -breakfast. By nine-thirty they were awaiting their escort who called for -them shortly after they came out upon the wide piazza. - -As they passed through the ancient old city of Panama they were -interested in various sights which Bill pointed out and about which he -told the prevalent legends. - -After they reached the aeroplane, now waiting upon a stretch of sandy -field near the Canal Park, Bill assisted the girls to their places and -advised them to adjust their veils as he proposed making a speedy flight -in order to meet the yacht before it had gone very far on its trip -through the locks. - -Soon, thereafter, the girls were looking down upon a bird's-eye view of -the old Spanish town they had just left. The 'plane followed the course -of the canal, while the aviator pointed out Gatun Lock and the big dam, -with the concrete work built on a tremendous scale. The white walls -contrasted beautifully with the sweeps of smooth, green, velvety turf -which stretched from the canal on both sides to the low foot hills of -the dark, blue mountains beyond. There were six locks in all, with the -canal between looking like an ordinary stream to the girls in the -aeroplane. And the negroes, with their mules working at the locks, -appeared like busy, black ants on the earth far below. - -The crew on the White Crest caught sight of the aeroplane before Polly -and Eleanor saw the yacht; the captain saluted the fliers with a shrill -blast of the siren and attracted Bill's attention. After that the 'plane -hovered near the vessel as it made its way through the locks and finally -came out into the Bay of Panama. - -Bill landed his passengers safely, and conducted them to the pier where -the White Crest was anchored. - -Of course, the girls were scolded well by Mr. Dalken, who said he had -aged twenty years because of them and their escapades, but the laugh -which greeted this statement was not very sympathetic. - -Finally Bill reluctantly bid the yachting party goodbye and returned to -his 'plane in order to reach the Atlantic side and the government -offices as soon as possible. - -The heat during the early part of the afternoon was overpowering, hence -one and all agreed to remain on the yacht until the air became cooler. -But instead of riding at anchor the yacht circled the Bay in order to -find a breeze. - -"Bill told us that whales in the Gulf of Panama were quite a common -sight, but I forgot about it until just now," remarked Polly. - -"We'll watch for one to-morrow when we sail away," said Ruth, eagerly. - -The sunset that evening was superb but it was difficult to say that, in -the South during that trip, there were any clear evenings without its -beautiful sunset. - -Twilight swept a soft gray mantle up from the sea and covered the -shoreline from view before the party went indoors to the saloon; then -Mr. Dalken called for the attention of his friends. - -"I have been studying this map carefully," began he, waving a memorandum -which he held in his hand; "and I find that there are very few decent -ports for us to make between here and Quito. Even Quito must be reached -by landing first at Guayaquil and then taking the railroad inland and -climb to the City of the Equator." - -"Is there any special reason for visiting Quito?" asked Jack. - -"Why, of course! Don't we all want to visit the city so famous for its -age and antiquities? Remember, Jack, you are a mere outsider on this -trip, and not one of the seekers after wisdom and adventure. Your day -for dancing and playing the gallant to the young ladies ended when we -bade goodbye to Palm Beach. Down in the towns of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru -and Chile, it will be my turn to lead in the Grand March," declared Mr. -Dalken. - -"Don't pay any attention to him, Dalky," advised Polly, sending Jack a -contemptuous glance for his interruption. "He wants to be heard from in -planning this campaign, but he really does not know a thing about South -America that he hasn't heard from us!" - -At this remark from Polly, Jack folded his arms as if to signify he was -through forever with girls, and sat tilted back in his deck chair, but -paying no attention to anything said or done. His associates laughed -goodnaturedly at his expression, then turned their attention to Mr. -Dalken once more. - -"As I was saying a long time back, we will have to travel to Quito by -means of a shaky little airline of a railroad--I call it airline because -it evidently runs on the rim of the clouds, from all I can gather of its -construction. But it will prove to be a novel experience for us all, -especially so to me, as I prefer to keep on solid earth where railroads -are concerned." - -"As your investments prove!" retorted Jack. "I've never known you to -take a flier, nor heard of you traveling in the clouds when speculating -in transportation stocks." - -The laugh was now at Mr. Dalken's expense, as his friends well knew what -large railroad interests he held in North America, but no one was aware -of the fact that one of his secret reasons for coming to South America -was to examine the safety of certain railroad interests offered him -through a broker who acted for the Valparaiso and North Coast Company--a -new enterprise about to be started without delay, in order to link the -various shipping ports along the shore to the city where the -trans-Andean railroad had its terminus. - -"If Jack would only subside for a short time we might be able to hear -the rest of that itinerary," sighed Mr. Fabian. "Thus far I have only a -faint idea of the outline of the first leg of the voyage." - -"Are there two legs?" exclaimed Jack, instantly. "Oh! where are they? I -have never seen such a leg, and it will add to my fund of education." - -Polly and Eleanor laughed at the play of words, but Nancy felt too -mature to laugh at such a childish joke. She said rather jeeringly: -"Poor Jack! 'A fool always laughs at his own wit.' Are you not aware -that 'leg' is a nautical term?" - -Jack's chair-legs came down hard upon the floor, and he sat bolt upright -as he showed a livelier interest in this sparring match. "Hoh! I may not -be versed in nautical names, but at least I am not guilty of having read -the type from every one of Dalky's tomes on South America. I know of -certain young ladies who pride themselves on their geography, especially -when touring South of the Equator, who lugged those same tomes from the -shelves in Dalky's library and now shamelessly preen their feathers of -knowledge." - -"Children, if you can't keep quiet and let Mr. Dalken tell us of the -proposed trip, you'll have to go to bed!" declared Mrs. Courtney, -frowning at Jack and the girls. - -"Or we can take our plans and go out on deck where we need not be -annoyed by infants' prattle," added Mr. Fabian. - -"No, NO! Please don't do that," cried Polly, anxiously. "We'll make Jack -keep quiet, if we have to gag him!" - -"Now see that you keep your word, Poll," advised Mrs. Courtney, shaking -a finger at the irrepressible Jack. - -"Then I'll continue," added Mr. Dalken. "The first port of any size -shown on my map is Buenventura, in Colombia. Since stopping at Colon, -I've heard so much about Colombia and its mediaeval customs and peoples -of the interior, that I half wish we had arranged to land at -Barranquilla, which is on the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence we -could have taken passage on one of the wood-burning river boats that -poke along the length of the Magdalena River as far as Bogota. From that -place we would have crossed the Andes _via_ mule-train and arrived at -Buenventura to take the yacht from there on down the coast. However, we -may be able to come back by that route--that is, providing the females -and Jack are sufficiently hardened to mountain-life by the time we have -finished the Amazon River." - -Everyone laughed at Jack's disgusted expression at being classed with -the "females" of the party, and Mr. Dalken hastily continued his -harangue lest his ward begin to interrupt again. - -"I have been advised to keep away from hotels in the different small -towns at which we might stop to see the sights. They are miserable and -charge exorbitant rates to tourists. Also, those ports near the Equator -are insufferably hot and with no modern accommodation, such as electric -fans, fly-screens, or other conveniences. Luckily we have our hotel with -us, and we can always secure rooms on board the yacht, no matter what -undesirable conditions there may be for others not so fortunate. - -"In order to have a glimpse of life in the small towns of Colombia, I -thought we might stop at Buenventura, and after doing the place, we can -continue on to Guayaquil. That is the town where we have to take the -sky-line up to Quito, commonly known as the City of the Equator. From -Guayaquil, after we return there, we will cruise on to Paita----" - -"Oh, Dalky!" interrupted Polly at this moment. "Aren't we going to stop -at any other quaint towns along the coast? The lady-chaperone at the -Tivoli said that half the pleasure in touring down the west coast was to -be found in seeing the unusual ports which are seldom visited by the -fast steamers. With a yacht, she said, we were free to stop as we -pleased, hence she told us to be sure and do so." - -"Yes," added Eleanor. "And she told us that many of the finest ruins of -the Incas, as well as ancient Spanish churches, were to be seen on the -mountains back of tiny towns on the coast that escape the attention of -the ordinary tourist." - -"Well, she may be right, but as South America is very large, and we had -expected to visit as many of its states as possible in the time limited, -it would not be advisable to do as every stranger suggests. That is -exactly why I planned this route which would give us ample scope to turn -aside in case of our finding any place or thing we wished to visit. Of -course, the main idea in coming to South America, instead of taking that -South Sea Island cruise as Mrs. Courtney proposed, was to give the -interior decorators the privilege of visiting the Exposition at Rio de -Janeiro. Otherwise----" - -"Oh, all right!" interrupted Mr. Fabian. "We know all about it, Dalky! -Don't lose time going over the same field again." - -"Oh, I'm not at all keen about taking you over the field at all," -retorted Mr. Dalken, quickly. "In fact, I believe I'll let each one of -you follow your own route and see where it lands you. As for me, I shall -use my private itinerary and sail away to seas unknown--and uncharted, -too, if I see a chance of finding any reward for such a voyage." - -"I really do believe Dalky is peeved!" exclaimed Polly, causing every -one to laugh heartily at such an absurd idea. - -"No, that is not the reason for his thrusting the paper away in his -pocket," explained Mr. Ashby, teasingly. "But the truth of the matter -is: Dalky came to that part of the itinerary where all those twisted -vowels and consonants occur in the names of the towns in Ecuador, Peru, -and Chile, and he dared not risk our jeering." - -"For the first time in history, you are correct, my wise mind-reader!" -retorted Mr. Dalken, midst the shouts of laughter from all sides. - -"I don't suppose any one present would dare wager with me, as betting is -against the law at home. But we are in South America and every one here -wagers money on horses, lotteries, and on every possible excuse to -gamble; therefore, I would like to wager that Dalky fails to follow more -than a third of that itinerary of his." - -"No one would take you up on that bet, Fabian, because it is a sure -thing!" exclaimed Mr. Ashby. - -Mr. Dalken got up from his chair and stood gazing at his two old friends -as he said: "I never dreamed that you both would take sides against me! -But of such ungrateful stuff is the human heart!" Heaving a dreadful -sigh he turned away and walked over to the window of the saloon which -gave him a view of the Harbor, "Hoh!" called he, invitingly. "See whom -we have out there with us!" - -Instantly every one sprang up and hurried to the windows. Through the -darkness of the fast-falling night, they could just see the large -outline of the Peruvian steamer from Panama to Valparaiso. - -"I wish we could get close enough to enable us to take a picture of it," -said Polly, wistfully. - -"You could never do it! It's too dark," said Nancy. - -"If Dalky had the Captain turn the searchlight on full force we might -get a good time exposure of it," suggested Eleanor. - -"At least you might try it," agreed Mr. Dalken. "I'll tell the Captain -to use the light when he thinks it the proper moment. Then you girls can -experiment with your cameras." - -The confusion of the crowded masses on the decks of the Peruvian, -combined with the soft-coal and wood-burning engine which created a -ceaseless bang and clang of its steel parts, was most deafening to human -ear-drums; also the darkness which screened the yacht prevented those on -the Peruvian from noticing the smaller craft which rode serenely at -anchor not far away. - -Suddenly the Captain on the White Crest saluted with the siren as the -big steamer started, and the hoarse blast from the Peruvian as it left -its dock instantly brought all passengers to that side of the steamer -whence the yacht was heard and seen. Many of the passengers of the -steamer had retired, but that made no difference when such a sight as a -graceful, private, oceangoing yacht was to be seen so close by. -Therefore it was not many minutes before a triple line of heads could be -seen along the rail of the rolling Peruvian. - -At an unexpected moment the Captain of the White Crest gave the signal -for the powerful searchlight to be thrown on the big southern steamer. -And at that signal Polly and Eleanor focussed their cameras, and began -the time exposure of the pictures. - -The searchlight made good on its name that night, for with its blinding -glare it not only surprised the rows of heads craned forward in order to -see the dancing yacht, but it also brought out those forms so scantily -dressed, or rather undressed, in their nightrobes or pajamas. A dismayed -cry rose from those thus caught unawares, and a picture quite different -from the one expected was the result. - -That night, just before retiring, the girls took one more look at the -Peruvian, but it had forged ahead out of the Bay, and away on its voyage -down the coast. - -Mr. Dalken had planned to leave Panama the next day, and the Captain had -been given orders to that effect; but there were several items of -shopping which the ladies wished to do before leaving for the South -American trip, hence it was past noon before they returned to the yacht. - -After leaving the yacht to do their shopping the ladies found their way -to the principal store of Panama. As they stood outside and gazed at the -window display, a voice sounded at Polly's ear. - -"Well! I thought you all were down off Cape Horn, by this time." - -The seven heads turned on the necks of the seven ladies to see who could -be addressing them in that familiar tone. There stood Ray who had bid -them goodbye the night before. - -"I suppose you are wondering what I am doing here, instead of being -interviewed by the man who has engaged me for work down here," remarked -Ray. "I can soon tell you: he will not be in his office until four -o'clock, so that gives me another day off." - -"Well, we certainly are glad to see you once more," remarked Mrs. -Courtney. - -"Yes; now the four girls will attach themselves to you and permit us to -do the shopping for them," laughed Mrs. Ashby. - -"We can thank the custom of Panama business men for this pleasure," -declared Polly. - -"We won't lose time trying to find out who should be thanked for this, -but we will get busy and make the most of it," said Ray. Then, as an -after-thought, he said: "By the way, where is Jack?" - -"He was afraid to come, because he knew he would have to carry all the -bundles," laughed Eleanor. - -"Besides," added Polly, "he had to remain with Dalky to attend to some -business letters which must be mailed before we start out on the -Pacific." - -"I wish to goodness Bill had not gone back to Colon yesterday. We might -have had one last jamboree," remarked Ray. - -"Not afraid of so many pretty girls, are you?" giggled Eleanor. - -"Say! I can stand as many more of this kind of girl," declared Ray, -positively. "Can't get too many of your kind." - -"After that compliment," said Mrs. Fabian, "we are going to advise the -girls to take care of you this time, instead of you taking care of them. -Now, girls, if we go inside the store to do the shopping, will you -promise to be merciful to this one lone young man?" - -"We will promise to take him to luncheon and let him eat everything in -sight," agreed Nancy with a serious face. - -"And we also promise to let him pay the check," added Eleanor. - -Ray now invited the older ladies to join the party, but they said that -they had no time for pleasure that day. - -And Mrs. Courtney added: "Did you think we three chaperones could be so -heartless as to be present when you take your last sad farewell of these -four sweethearts?" - -The young people laughed at the remark, and then Mrs. Ashby warned them -to be sure and be back on the yacht by two o'clock. - -"Good gracious! two o'clock, mother? You know how slow the service is in -Panama and we won't have more than the silver and a napkin served us by -that time," exclaimed Ruth. - -"Better make it three, at any rate," begged Ray. - -"Very well; we will return to the White Crest when we finish our -shopping and explain why you are absent from lunch on the yacht," -promised Mrs. Fabian. - -"At the same time, tell Dalky that as long as he is saving the cost of -four big lunches, he might give us an extra hour's time on shore," said -Eleanor. - -"We'll do the best we can for you," said Mrs. Courtney; "now run along -and enjoy yourselves." - -Ray had been escorted by Bill the previous evening to a quaint old -Spanish coffee-house in Panama, and here he conducted the four girls in -order to give them a treat--not only a treat of Spanish cooking but also -a treat of old-time life in that old-time city. The service was of the -simplest, but the cooking was of the finest. - -As the five young persons had plenty of time in which to enjoy -themselves they managed to pass an hour and a half at the table. Then -Nancy, glancing at her wrist-watch, remarked: "It is now two o'clock. -Don't you think we ought to be going back to the yacht?" Thus reminded, -Ray called for the bill and the girls prepared to leave. - -A few blocks from the old coffee-house they saw Jack talking anxiously -to a Panama policeman. He had a slip of paper in his hand and was -checking off certain items which were written on this paper. - -"Why, look at Jack!" called Eleanor. - -"He looks as if something had happened," said Nancy. - -They hurried up to his side, and Ray was about to ask him why he seemed -so disturbed, when Jack turned and caught sight of them. - -"Well! you're a nice lot of friends for a fellow to have," complained -he, impatiently. - -"It's your own fault, we invited you to come shopping with us," declared -Eleanor. - -"Shopping, yes! but you never said a word about a good time with Ray," -grumbled Jack. "I bet you planned the whole thing yesterday." - -"People who deceive others are always suspicious of everything but -themselves," quoth Nancy. - -"Leaving all of that in the past, let's make the most of the present," -advised Ray. "By the way, Jack, what's your list of restaurants for?" - -The officer, seeing that the young stranger had found the friends he had -been seeking, now walked away. Jack held up the paper which he had been -checking and showed the girls the name and address of every eating-place -in Panama, but not the old coffee-house where they had been lunching. - -"See that list?" demanded Jack. "Well, I raced around to every blame one -of them the moment I heard you girls had met Ray." - -"How under the sun did you know we were with Ray?" asked Polly, greatly -astonished. - -"I'll tell you: you girls and Ray had not turned the corner of the -street before I came dashing around the other corner to get to the store -where you said you were all going to shop. Just inside the door I saw -Mrs. Courtney, and I was thanking my lucky stars that I had not missed -you--and this is the result." - -"Why did you want us?" asked Eleanor. - -"Because, Captain Blake came on deck and told Dalky something went wrong -down in the engine-room and it might be several hours before we could -start. At that, I made up my mind to have one more lark on shore, and I -hurried away to find you all." - -"Now that you have found us, let us have the lark," laughed Ray. - -"But now it is time to go back to the yacht!" growled Jack. "I have been -wasting the two hours hunting for you--I haven't had a thing to eat. -Let's go somewhere and keep ourselves from fainting." - -"We're far from fainting," laughed Eleanor; "we have been feasting." - -"You don't mean it!" was Jack's annoyed reply. - -"And what's more," added Polly, "we are supposed to be on board the -yacht by three." - -"Yeh, I know! Dalky called after me as I left, saying: 'be sure and show -up by three, Jack!' and I suppose I will have to go back with an empty -inside." Jack's tone was so plaintive that the girls laughed at him. - -Time was passing, however, and Ray had to meet his employer in a short -time, hence he could not accompany his friends back to the yacht. Jack, -being over-eager to get something to eat before going back, it was -finally decided to step into the first restaurant found and order -luncheon for the famished young man. While seated at the table with him, -the girls and Ray could say their final goodbys and be ready to depart -with Jack when he had finished eating. - -Upon their return to the yacht the girls discovered that they had missed -a bit of excitement by their absence. The Captain had discovered smoke -issuing from a small store-room back of the engine room and upon -investigation it was found that crossed electric wires had started a -small fire between the partitions. But this was soon extinguished and -quiet reigned once more. - -However, this necessary electric work delayed the departure of the White -Crest until late in the afternoon, thus it was sun-down when they -finally got started on their voyage. And here we must leave them to -follow their own inclinations (and the ways of the yacht) down the west -coast. But we shall be able to accompany them on their tour by reading -the next volume, called "Polly in South America." - -THE END - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Polly's Southern Cruise, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE *** - -***** This file should be named 42934-8.txt or 42934-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/9/3/42934/ - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - - </body> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42934 ***</div> +</body> </html> diff --git a/42934.txt b/42934.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 615a64f..0000000 --- a/42934.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6552 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Polly's Southern Cruise, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Polly's Southern Cruise - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Illustrator: H. S. Barbour - -Release Date: June 13, 2013 [EBook #42934] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - - - - - -[Illustration: "YOU GET IN THAT SEAT IN DOUBLE QUICK TIME!" SAID POLLY.] - - - - - POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - BY - LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - Author of - POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT, POLLY AND ELEANOR, - POLLY IN NEW YORK, POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD, - POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE - ILLUSTRATED BY - H. S. BARBOUR - NEW YORK - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS - Made in the United States of America - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - - - -CONTENTS - CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS - CHAPTER II--"THEY'RE OFF!" - CHAPTER III--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - CHAPTER IV--THE SECOND DAY OUT - CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH - CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING - CHAPTER VII--THE HAVANA RACE COURSE - CHAPTER VIII--LOST IN KINGSTON - CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA - CHAPTER X--SPORTS AT JAMAICA - CHAPTER XI--MEETING OLD FRIENDS IN PANAMA - CHAPTER XII--THE TALE TOLD BY THE BELGIAN - CHAPTER XIII--HIGH LIFE AT THE CANAL - CHAPTER XIV--IN AND ABOUT PANAMA - - - - -POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE PERFECTED PLANS - - -"Well, now, that's settled!" declared Polly Brewster, as she leaned back -in a comfortable arm-chair and scanned her friend who sat hunched over -the papers scattered upon the table. - -"Settled--but only between us. It remains to be seen how our suggestions -will be received by Dalky and Mrs. Courtney," returned Eleanor Maynard, -the young lady just addressed. - -"To tell the truth, Nolla," began Polly in a lowered tone, "I'd much -rather sail the seas with Dalky, in his yacht, than venture in a rented -craft supervised by Mrs. Courtney--even though she is the dearest thing I -ever had for a chaperone!" - -Nolla was the nickname given Eleanor, and Dalky was the pet name -bestowed upon Mr. Dalken by these two girls--his staunch admirers. As yet -they had not discovered an appropriate title to use for their first -customer and intimate friend Mrs. Courtney. - -"Well, Nolla, seeing we've used up carloads of good paper in outlining -this itinerary, and worn out the patience of all the clerks in the -various Tour Offices, let us act upon our last decision: Propose the -plans for our ocean picnic at the general meeting of our friends -to-night." - -"It is such a radical change from the trip suggested by Mrs. Courtney, -and the outlined voyage desired by Dalky, that I fear we'll be vetoed in -the final ballot," ventured Eleanor. - -"They can only say no to us!" exclaimed Polly, getting up from her chair -and gathering in all the now useless sheets of paper which showed where -arduous ideas had been expressed upon their white surfaces. But one -sheet was left safely at the end of the table. This single sheet was -picked up by Eleanor and carefully placed within her script case. The -discarded sheets were torn up and thrown into the waste basket. - -"We may as well go home and try out the plans on the Fabians," said -Polly, after rearranging the desk-table. - -"And see that we look our best for the conquest to-night," laughed -Eleanor, looking about for her hat and coat. - - * * * * * - -Are you acquainted with Polly and Eleanor? If not, you should be. They -are the two friends who were introduced to us several years ago at -Pebbly Pit Ranch. Remember? At our first meeting with them these two -girls were barely past fourteen; but we founded a firm friendship with -them and their immediate companions, at the great Colorado ranch, and -this friendship has lasted all through the interesting, and many times -thrilling, adventures these girls experienced. To you, who have been -denied this friendship, we will introduce our girls. - -Polly Brewster, born and reared on her home ranch in the Rockies of -Colorado, first met and established a friendship with Eleanor Maynard of -Chicago, when Eleanor, attended by her elder sister Barbara and Anne -Stewart, spent the summer with the Brewsters at Pebbly Pit Ranch. During -that visit the girls, while on a mountain ride, discovered the vein of -gold which later developed such amazing phases of interest and trouble -for all concerned in its products. - -The summer ending, the two young girls, now firm friends, won the -consent of their parents to allow them to accompany Anne Stewart to New -York City, where Anne was engaged to teach a very high-grade, young -ladies' school. Polly and Eleanor planned to enter this school, and take -up interior decorating as an extra study. - -Having been admitted to a course at Cooper Union Night Classes, the two -girl friends found Mr. Fabian, the lecturer, a most valuable friend. -Through Mr. Fabian the girls were enabled to attend many private -exhibitions of art goods and antiques, also to go to lectures, visit -gatherings where interior decorating was the subject of discussion, and -in other ways reap the benefit of the many years' experience of this -gentleman. - -During their school years in New York Polly and Eleanor became -acquainted with a staunch friend, a Mr. Dalken; and met and became -intimate friends with the Ashbys--the Ashby of the famous Ashby Shops on -Fifth Avenue, where one may find any rare or antique object known to -home-makers or decorators. - -Through the acquaintances thus formed the two girls were invited to join -the touring party about to start for Europe the year that Polly and -Eleanor finished their schooling. After a summer abroad visiting -interesting places and seeing all that was worth viewing, the group of -Americans returned home. - -That fall the two girls decided to enter business in an humble way. They -secured desk-room in Mr. Ashby's business house and ventured forth to -find and purchase antiques, in order to sell them again at a reasonable -profit. The amusing incidents experienced while in search of odd and old -objects constitute several chapters of the book called "Polly's Business -Venture." At the ending of that book the reader is introduced to Mrs. -Courtney, who interested herself in the two young business girls and -eventually invited them to accompany her on a cruise to the Southern -Seas. Before any plan could be perfected, however, Mr. Dalken hinted at -his plan to go on an extended yachting cruise to the Orient. Naturally, -he wished a party of his old friends to accompany him; and Polly and -Eleanor considered themselves part of that group. - -Thus it happened that about the time the present story opens Polly and -Eleanor had been planning various itineraries to place before their -friends--Mr. Dalken and Mrs. Courtney. It mattered not so much to the -girls whether they sailed to the Orient as the guests of Mr. Dalken, or -went on a long cruise to the South Sea Islands with Mrs. Courtney, as -long as they _went_ somewhere! From this state of mind the reader can -gather that the Wanderlust had implanted its germ in the consciousness -of each of these girls. - -Having gathered their papers together the girls left the pretty private -office where they were supposed to attend to their business affairs, and -started homeward to the Fabian's domicile where they lived. It was too -late, upon their arrival at the house, to discuss the tour with either -Mr. or Mrs. Fabian, hence they went directly to their rooms and dressed -as becomingly as possible, knowing, as they well did, that appearances -play an important part in any business, be it pleasure, financial, -political or just simple family matters. - -Just as Polly had added a huge velvet rose to the girdle of the Parisian -dress she had chosen to wear, Nancy Fabian called from the hallway: - -"Girls! Are you almost ready? Daddy has been cooling his impatience in -the library for the last ten minutes; and mother and I are ready to go -down." - -"Coming, Nan!" called Polly in answer. "Find out if Nolla is ready, -please." - -"I'm here--no need to call me," laughed Eleanor, coming from her room as -she spoke. - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Nancy Fabian. "Why all the fine feathers on our -bird, Nolla?" - -Mrs. Fabian and Nancy looked at Eleanor's handsome dinner dress with -admiration, and Eleanor laughed as she replied to Nancy's query: - -"As long as this bird has no wish to be plucked at the argument that is -certain to be started on the subject of the sea-trip, she donned her -finest feathers to help her win out with Dalky." - -At this moment Polly appeared at her room door. She, too, caused Nancy -to catch her breath. "Goodness me! I didn't stop to floss up as if we -were going to a Court Reception! Why didn't you girls tell me you were -going to put on your best?" - -"Nancy, dear, don't worry," was Polly's consoling reply. "You haven't -the diplomatic work cut out for yourself that Nolla and I have. We have -to win Dalky over to a very important agreement to-night, hence these -fine togs!" - -Mrs. Fabian had been descending the stairs, but she heard what had just -been said and she laughed lightly. Soon all four had reached the front -hall where Mr. Fabian paced the floor. - -"My dear girls! You know how I dislike being late to a host's dinner -party! Here it is ten minutes past the time we were to present ourselves -at Dalky's apartment." As he spoke Mr. Fabian took his watch from his -pocket and displayed its face to the tardy young ladies. But they never -stopped to glance at it. - -"Daddy, dear, stop scolding, and hurry out to the car," said Nancy, -giving her father a loving push towards the front door. - -"There's one consolation in knowing we won't be the last guests at -Dalky's dinner to-night," remarked Eleanor, as they settled themselves -in the limousine which Mr. Dalken had sent for their use that evening. - -"Why--what do you mean?" asked Mrs. Fabian, wonderingly. - -"Mrs. Courtney! She'll be ten minutes later than this unit," replied -Eleanor. - -"How do you know that?" asked Nancy. - -"Just before we left the office she called us on the telephone to ask if -we had decided upon a plan for our cruise, and we replied that we had it -all outlined. Then she told us she might be detained downtown where she -was then, and that we were to tell Mr. Dalken not to wait dinner for -her. She would come in as soon as she could, but even at that she might -be half an hour after the time he mentioned in his note to her." - -As Mr. Dalken's bachelor apartment was but a short drive from the -Fabian's residence, the chauffeur soon stopped before the door and the -girls prepared to get out. A few minutes later they were being welcomed -by their smiling host. Then he scolded. - -"Late as usual! Not that I would include Mr. Fabian in that rebuke, -because a man is _never_ late--especially when it is a dinner. But the -ladies! Ah me! So many valuable hours wasted before a mirror, and who -for--tell me that! For a number of old fogies like Ashby, Fabian and -myself." - -But the ladies laughed his scolding to silence. They knew their host! He -was the pink of neatness himself, and he always noticed the gowns and -general appearances of his lady guests. - -"Who's coming to-night, Dalky?" asked Polly, not waiting to answer his -rebuke about being late. - -"Oh, the Ashbys are already here; then there will be Mrs. Courtney, who -will be late, of course, and my daughter Elizabeth. She ought to have -been here before this." - -As he spoke he threw open the door of the guestroom and ushered his -friends in; but taking Mr. Fabian by the arm to show him into his own -suite of rooms. - -As soon as the door of the guestroom was closed Polly glanced at her -three companions who were silently exchanging looks with each other. -Then Eleanor whispered her opinion: - -"Elizabeth! Of all the world she is the last I should have expected here -to-night. I just know her mother sent her to pry into Dalky's plans for -this cruise. Naturally, such a woman would have heard about her -ex-husband's plans for the next few months." - -Polly frowned at this declaration, but Mrs. Fabian, always anxious to -give a person the benefit of a doubt, remarked kindly: "We must remember -that Elizabeth is her father's only child. Perhaps she is dining here -this evening by accident--not by planning." - -But Eleanor flared up in defence of her friend Dalky. "If you knew that -girl as well as Polly and I understand her from school days, you'd not -take this generous view of her and her mother's schemes. I only hope -Dalky hasn't any idea of inviting her to go with us on his yachting -cruise. She'd just spoil all the fun for me!" - -"With Elizabeth present at the table I'd feel embarrassed in speaking of -our plan, Nolla; or of saying a word about any cruise," added Polly, -seriously. - -"Yes, that's just it: Elizabeth is a kill-joy for every one wherever she -goes," was Eleanor's angry retort. - -"Well, girls, let us not excite ourselves before we know why Elizabeth -is present to-night. Plenty of time to talk over her lack of amiability -when we discover she will be a member of Dalky's party," advised Mrs. -Fabian, moving towards the door of the dressing room. - -As she opened it the four friends who were ready to leave fell back -because the object of their criticism stood upon the threshold. - -"Oh, dear!" cried the girl with a pretty pretence of feeling surprise, -as she quickly placed her hands over her heart. "I was told to leave my -wraps in Daddy's guestroom, but I was not aware that it was occupied. -I'm sorry if I startled you as I have been." - -Elizabeth Dalken was the fashionable product of New York's ultra -society--at least she and her mother liked to believe they were embraced -upon that clannish upper-plane. But it is doubtful if one of the Four -Hundred even dreamed of there being such aspirants to recognition. - -The girl was very pretty, in an appealing ingenue way, her type being of -the clinging order. Her features were regular enough, but lacked all -signs of confidence or character. Her hair was beautiful, being of the -wavy, fluffy, gold shade of blonde. Were it not for her stylish apparel, -and the lines produced by the highest-priced tailor and mantua-maker in -the country, Elizabeth's figure might have been termed awkward, and her -natural carriage ungainly. But style hides a multitude of short-comings! - -The Fabians, as well as Polly and Eleanor, were acquainted with -Elizabeth Dalken, so, after a few words of greeting, they left the room -to the new guest. Needless to add that Elizabeth found it necessary to -remain in the room for four times the length of time the other four -guests had occupied it. But they had not felt the need of touching up -their lips, or relining their brows with a pencil, nor, indeed, to add a -rosy hue to their healthy complexions. Elizabeth was about to send a -last glance at the long mirror to see that her gown was faultless, when -the bell summoned Mr. Dalken to his entrance door. This time the new -comer called forth a chorus of merry welcomes from the group of guests -in the living room, the archway of which offered a good view of the -front door and the reception hall. - -"Welcome, Mrs. Courtney! Glad you found it possible to get here before -dinner is announced," said Mr. Dalken, smiling upon his guest. - -"Oh! I am glad, too! I thought you would be through the first course, as -it is really half an hour past the time you said," remarked Mrs. -Courtney, releasing her small gloved hand from the unconscious hold of -her host's warm clasp. He had been appraising her beauty and appearance -and forgot he held her hand. - -"Come to the guestroom, Mrs. Courtney. My little girl Elizabeth is still -there, and she will be delighted to meet you and render any little -service you may need. You see, a confirmed bachelor as I am, fails to -provide a maid or other necessities for ladies when they deign to dine -at his rooms." As he spoke, Mr. Dalken ushered Mrs. Courtney to the -guestroom door. Then he paused and knocked upon the panel. - -Elizabeth threw the door open, appearing as a radiant vision to her -father, who said: "Ah, Tots! Here is a friend of mine. In the absence of -a maid, I know you will be happy to assist in any way. Mrs. Courtney, my -daughter Elizabeth; Totty, Mrs. Courtney." - -Without waiting to see if this meeting proved to be harmonious, Mr. -Dalken closed the door upon Mrs. Courtney, and hurried to his valet-cook -to say that the last guest expected had just arrived. Karl nodded his -head silently, and proceeded to instruct the Japanese servant to turn up -the lights in the diningroom. - -At the closing of the guestroom door Elizabeth turned and purred sweetly -upon the lady to whom she had just been introduced. She seemed -over-eager to assist in removing the handsome evening wrap, and she -stood hovering near while Mrs. Courtney stood before the dressing mirror -to arrange her crushed hair. The girl babbled of many things, but with -all her babbling she never lost sight of one detail of the lady's -costume and make-up, and of the possible valuation of the magnificent -diamonds and pearls which adorned her person. The jewelry caused pangs -of envy in Elizabeth's soul, for she was mad over jewels. - -Out in the living-room, the waiting guests amused themselves. - -"Before we prepare any further arguments to win our case before the -tribunal of the higher authorities, we'd better sit back and watch -whether this will be a proper evening to throw the bomb," remarked -Polly, dryly, to her chum Eleanor. - -"But this is the reason we are all assembled at dinner to-night!" -exclaimed Eleanor, impatiently. "Dalky wants to get away from New York -without further delay, you know." - -"Well, I don't know! Only do be circumspect, Nolla, in the presence of -Elizabeth. We know her, and we do not know what she might say or do to -make trouble for our dear Dalky, if she once finds that he plans to take -us all on a long cruise." - -"She can't say or make any trouble for him, that I can see!" retorted -Eleanor. "That woman got her divorce, all right, and is married hard and -fast to that awful suitor, so what other trouble can be started after -that?" - -Polly did not reply, but she shook her head sympathetically. The -sympathy, Eleanor understood, was all for "Poor Dalky!" - -Mrs. Courtney and Elizabeth now came from the guest-room, Elizabeth -smiling sweetly, and Mrs. Courtney with her well-set head held a trifle -higher than was her wont, and with two bright spots of crimson touching -her cheeks with the hue of restrained blood which must be dancing in her -veins. Her eyes, when she looked at Polly, were shooting sparks, but -these soon disappeared after she shook hands with her friends who were -glad to see her. - -"See that!" whispered Eleanor quickly to Polly. "That sweet little wasp -has stung Mrs. Courtney with something she has said, or hinted at!" - -"So it seems. I wish I knew what to do," mused Polly. - -"Just wait and keep your eyes and ears wide open. We'll catch Elizabeth -in any little plot she or her mother may have planned," declared -Eleanor. - -At this moment the Japanese attendant came to the door and announced -dinner. The friendly party, being so informal, grouped itself about Mr. -Dalken and all moved slowly towards the dining-room--all but Elizabeth -Dalken. While all her companions walked from the living-room to the -diningroom, listening to her father's account of a wonderful catch of -fish in the Maine streams, she had managed to get away unseen and enter -the guestroom. Behind the closed door of the room she found what she had -planned to secure. Information. - -Mr. Dalken designated their seats to his friends, and turning to Mrs. -Courtney said, politely: "As you are a guest in my home for the first -time I have assigned the seat of honor to you--at my right. Of course, I -had to beg permission of Polly and Nolla before daring to trespass upon -their rights,--they generally fight for this place." - -Polly smiled and tossed her head, but Eleanor vehemently denied any such -weakness, while the adults in the party laughed at their host's teasing -ways. Mr. Dalken, meantime, had been searching for his daughter -Elizabeth. She was not to be seen. - -"Why! This is strange; did not Elizabeth come to the diningroom just -now?" asked he in amazement of his guests. - -The guests looked from one to another in surprise. They all believed the -girl to have been present with them. Before Mr. Dalken had time to send -the servant to find the missing daughter, however, she ran from the -dressingroom and hurried to the diningroom. - -"Pardon my absence, Daddy," was her call before he had time to ask what -was wrong. "I just _had_ to dab my nose a bit, you know." She laughed -lightly as though it would be understood how important a deed was the -powdering of a nose. - -Mr. Dalken patted the fluffy yellow head as Elizabeth slid into her -chair. Then the servant was signalled to serve. Polly prodded Eleanor, -who sat next her at the table, with her foot under cover of the long -damask cloth. And Eleanor glanced at her friend to see what she meant to -convey to her. - -In a very low voice Polly said: "Don't you say a word, hear me, Nolla? -Wait till we know what Elizabeth wants to know." - -Eleanor winked knowingly. At the same time Mr. Dalken tossed the -conversational ball into the arena for all to catch. - -"Friends and fellow-countrymen," began he, clearing his throat -impressively, "we are assembled together this evening in order that the -important event of taking a trip around the world may be duly discussed. -After the arguments for and against the cruise in my yacht are heard, -the chairman--that is myself--will allow two minutes to the argument for -or against the acceptance of Mrs. Courtney's offer to sail to the South -Seas in her craft. The meeting is now open for all members of this -party." - -Mr. Dalken then rubbed his hands vigorously as if to say he was washing -them of all trouble henceforth. If the members in the party came to -blows over their debate it would be nothing to him! His guests, -understanding his action, laughed at him and bade him sit down. - -"At least, Mr. Chairman, you might tell us the names of the speakers we -are supposed to hear from this evening," laughed Mr. Fabian. - -"The first speaker to be heard from this evening, is our capable -globe-trotter Mr. Fabian," retorted Mr. Dalken without hesitation. A -laugh greeted this introduction, but the servant was placing the first -course before the hungry guests and it was silently agreed to give the -first attention to the most important matter of food. - -During the next three courses there were many suggestions, and merry -arguments from the friends about that board, but Elizabeth Dalken, never -missing a word or look of those who were concerned in the cruise -planned, kept silence. She felt that she could work better and safer by -getting the viewpoints of others and not showing her cards. - -With the fourth course, however, Mr. Dalken seemed to feel certain of -his own cruise being the accepted one. He turned to gloat politely over -Mrs. Courtney's defeat, when Mr. Ashby spoke. - -"The only reason I feel inclined to vote for the Orient in Dalken's -yacht, is a selfish one: I would like immensely to be one of the party -on this merry voyage, but I would not dare go on board a yacht that is -destined for the South Seas. I would have no jumping-off place, in order -to get me back to New York for the busy season. Now, should you all -choose Dalky's plan to go to Japan, I can remain with you until we reach -Hawaii, there I can catch a fast steamship back to San Francisco, thence -speed home to New York. Them's my sentiments, fren's!" concluded Mr. -Ashby. - -By the time the salad was served every one but Polly, Eleanor and -Elizabeth had been drawn into the discussion. It took great self-control -for the two girl-partners to keep silence in this vital and interesting -debate. - -Finally, Mr. Dalken turned to Eleanor and said: "In all my experience, -this is the first time I have not heard Nolla have a say after every -other orator. Either she has nothing _to_ say, or she is waiting to drop -a bomb upon our heads when we have said all we know." - -Eleanor laughed. "That's just it! When you all are through I'll say my -little piece, and I'm sure it will take away your breath." - -The friends laughed, for they understood Eleanor and liked to urge her -to discuss her egotistical opinions--often they were well worth hearing, -too. Polly could not help sending Elizabeth a glance. The girl kept her -eyes fixed upon her plate, defying Polly's scrutiny. - -Mr. Dalken held up a hand as he commanded: "Silence in this Court. Our -wise Judge will now render an opinion!" - -Eleanor instantly took up his line of chaff, and, midst the laughter, -bowing politely, said in a dignified manner: "I thank you, Mr. Sheriff. -As the Honorable Judge of this trial at Court I wish to give my opinion, -and possibly a verdict. Has the prisoner at the bar anything more to say -in behalf of her plan to sail the South Seas?" - -A condescending bow to Mrs. Courtney told those at the table that she -must be the prisoner who committed the crime of planning an impossible -voyage. Mrs. Courtney smiled and shook her head to signify she had had -her say. - -"Ahem!" began Eleanor; then remembering that Polly had the papers upon -which they had outlined the cruise as they wished to have it, she turned -and bowed in her direction. "Will the Counsel for the State kindly read -the evidence in the case under argument?" - -Polly laughed, but Mr. Dalken said: "What a pity I missed having such a -wise judge at court in the days when I tried my cases. I am sure I might -have won every case I argued." - -This brought forth a general laugh at Eleanor's expense but little cared -she, because she had an axe to grind and such an insignificant matter as -a laugh cost her nothing. - -Polly now opened the typewritten page she had taken from the girdle of -her gown and glanced at the opening words. Then she explained: "This is -a plan worked out by Nolla and myself. Before I mention the very good -reasons for choosing this plan, I wish to outline the plan itself. Then -Nolla will say why we selected this cruise, and tell you the points in -favor of choosing it." - -Polly now read: "We decide upon Dalky's yacht, because it is cheaper -than leasing a craft; it is more luxurious than any hired boat could -ever be; it is claimed to be absolutely safe to sail the most dangerous -seas; and, best of all, Dalky is our sworn ally and gives Nolla and me -our own way in almost everything. That's that!" - -The reasons for taking Mr. Dalken's yacht caused a hearty laugh at his -expense; but Polly continued reading without a pause, and the laugh was -hushed soon in order that the audience might not lose one word of her -plans. - -"We agree with Dalky in choosing a voyage which will take us to the West -Indies where we can visit many interesting points generally visited by -other tourists; we also agree with him that a trip through the Panama -Canal will be not only most instructive to us all but it will also prove -to be a short cut for my plan of the continued cruise. Thus far,--that is -until we reach the Pacific Ocean--we have agreed to follow Dalky's -outline of the trip. - -"But once having reached the Pacific, we begin to see a fascination in -sailing south--not to the Cannibal Islands, but southward as far as Peru. -To those who have never visited Peru it might be told, that here is a -sight worth seeing: the famous land that gave birth to the tubers known -to us as potatoes; also the land of the Incas." - -Polly interrupted herself at this point to say: "Friends, you may -_think_ I copied all this from the travelogue issued by the South -American Steamship Line, but I assure you I did _not_! The circular -given the public by that steamship company never mentions the fact that -Peru was the motherland that first produced the potato to the world at -the time when Pizarro found himself ship-wrecked upon its shores. Hence -this is original information discovered by Nolla and myself at the time -of the War Famine of potatoes in this country." Then Polly turned her -attention to the reading of the paper. - -"Well, having visited all the novel places to be seen in Peru, and -having eaten our fill of Peruvian Bark, we resume our cruise and next -stop at Valparaiso. At this point Dalky orders his Captain to take the -yacht around Cape Horn, then northwards to Buenos Aires, where he might -dock and wait for us to join him. We will take the Trans-Andean trip -across the continental divide and thus reach Argentina. As an inducement -to Dalky to agree with us to take this trip, we can offer him many fine -investments at Buenos Aires--investments which promise the financier a -return of a thousand per cent in six months' time. It's so, because I -read it in a column of a South American newspaper!" - -Mr. Dalken was well known to be a daring gambler in the stock market, -hence this thrust caused his guests to laugh heartily at his weakness. -But Elizabeth frowned at what she termed insolence on the part of Polly. - -Mr. Dalken now interpolated: "From Buenos Aires we will sail to Rio de -Janeiro, and remain there to visit the great Fair. Having spent five -years' allowance in seeing the buildings and going to all the bazaars at -the Fair, we return to the yacht too bankrupt to tip the natives who -crowd about us for pennies." - -"No, no, Dalky! There you are wrong. With Nolla and me to act as bankers -there will be no danger of bankruptcy," laughed Polly. - -"All right then! As long as you agree to keep us out of bankruptcy in -order that we may safely return to New York," retorted Mr. Dalken. - -"What was your next point of interest on the route?" - -"Well, after doing the Fair we decided to coast along the shores of -Brazil and eventually touch at Guiana, then continue to the Barbados. -Thence back to little old New York!" - -The guests, and Mr. Dalken as well, listened with intense interest to -such a cruise, and finally, having discussed the plan from every point -of view, it was unanimously agreed that such a voyage would offer the -most interesting sights, and prove to be admirable in every other way. -Those who wished to remain on the yacht for a short time only, could -leave the tourists at Havana, Panama, or any other port where steamships -are constantly sailing to New York. Those who found it impossible to -leave New York as soon as the party wished to sail, could reach Havana -or Panama by rail and board the yacht at the time it touched at those -ports. Thus it was decided that Polly and Eleanor's plan had been the -best yet offered. - -The evening had been well spent, thought Polly and Eleanor, when it was -all but agreed upon that the South American cruise should be the one -chosen for the Dalken party. But Elizabeth Dalken had kept absolutely -silent during the discussion of the trip. Finally, her father turned and -smiled upon her, and said: "Well, little girl! Do you thrill at such a -wonderful voyage?" - -Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders in the French way she had acquired from -her mother, and remarked in a colorless tone: "It will prove to be such -a bore at the Fair in Rio--this mixing with common people from all over -the world! I hear the railroads and the majority of southern steamship -lines are offering cheap excursions there and back to induce -trades-people to take the trip. I would rather take a trip to Japan and -leave South America to such a time as the common folk need not be met." - -Mr. Dalken flushed painfully. He was a genuine democrat in everything -but politics, hence this attitude of his daughter's, an attitude -fostered by her society mother, hurt his feelings. However, the friends -gathered with him that evening, understood perfectly why Elizabeth -rendered such poor judgment, and they quickly consoled their host for -the humiliation he had endured. - -"Dalky, it is your privilege to decide as you please for this cruise. As -invited guests we accept, without a word of condemnation or -dissatisfaction, whatever you do. We firmly believe that your society -and the wonderful offer of taking us with you on the cruise, no matter -where it be, will reward us for any personal or selfish desire to sail -elsewhere." Thus said Mr. Ashby, the best and closest friend of Mr. -Dalken. - -Mr. Fabian added instantly: "And the association with such a man as we -know you to be, Dalken, will soon wear away any sense of being thrown -with common folk, even though we meet a few samples of ordinary -tradesmen while in Rio de Janeiro. We have to suffer them in New York, -more than at any other place in the world, you know. I doubt if they -will cause us to regret this cruise." As Mr. Fabian included Elizabeth -in this speech to her father, it was manifest to all present that it was -meant for a mild rebuke to her arrogance. - -"Well, we will mull over the plan and render our verdict at an early -day," remarked Mr. Dalken, hoping to placate his daughter and win her -approval for the cruise, but Elizabeth refused to be pleased, and -announced with impatience: "I must be going home, now, Daddy. I promised -Mother that I'd leave here before ten." - -Without another word, she crossed the living room and hurried to the -guest-room for her wraps. Her father followed with an uncertain mien. -Polly instantly jumped up and followed after Elizabeth. As she passed -the host she remarked: "I'll attend to Elizabeth, Dalky." - -But the girl refused to accept any attention from Polly, and soon after -she had donned her hat and wrap she came forth and said good-night to -the assembled guests. Mr. Dalken accompanied her to the elevator, mildly -persuading her to change her mind. The lift arrived at the door, and -Elizabeth pecked at her father's chin, then left as if she had never -heard one word of his persuasion. - -Eleanor leaned close to Polly's ear and murmured: "From all forecasts -from the weather bureau, I should judge that we are in for nasty weather -on this cruise; I am surprised that Dalky could be so short-sighted as -this." - -And Polly replied in the same subdued tone: "It looks most suspicious to -me, Nolla. Perhaps that mother of Elizabeth's heard of a certain -handsome woman whom I might mention, and fears, should Dalky marry -again, that Elizabeth might not get her father's fortune. You know how -tender hearted is Dalky where anything concerns his daughter. If she -asked him to take her to the North Pole he would try and obey her wish." - -"Then you believe that she got Dalky to invite her on this cruise?" -wondered Eleanor. - -"From all I heard and saw to-night, I certainly do! I think Dalky was -pleased that she wished to go with him, and agreed instantly without -stopping to think how such an addition might give the entire party the -odd member who opposes whatever is suggested for the mutual enjoyment of -all." - -"I believe you are right, Polly," said Eleanor. "And if it turns out -that Elizabeth Dalken becomes a member of our cruising party, it will -behoove us to protect Mrs. Courtney from her thrusts, and spare her as -many bites from the sharp tongue which we know Elizabeth wags as is -possible for us to do." - -With Elizabeth gone the others in the group gathered at Mr. Dalken's -apartment felt freer to talk over plans and propositions for the -yachting trip the host so magnanimously offered. Before they said -good-night and departed from Mr. Dalken's that evening, it was agreed to -try out the plan presented by Polly and Eleanor. Should they find it -disagreeable, by the time they reached Panama, they could continue the -cruise to Japan from that point. - - - - -CHAPTER II--"THEY'RE OFF!" - - -The result of that evening's discussion at Mr. Dalken's apartment was -soon revealed to those interested in the cruise. After certain sundry -meetings at different places such as Ashby's Shop where the friends -grouped in Polly's office, at Fabian's dinner table, and at Mrs. Ashby's -home of an evening, it was decided that the trip outlined by Polly and -Eleanor at Mr. Dalken's dinner party was the most alluring of any. Hence -it was agreed to follow their plan. - -Once it was decided to cruise to South America the next question to -decide was when to start. Unanimously it was agreed to start the -following week. The yacht needed no overhauling as it was always kept in -perfect order to sail at a few hours' notice. Mr. Dalken seemed anxious -to get away from the City, saying his doctor ordered him to go without -delay, and the girls were more than anxious to get away. - -The days following the sudden decision to start in a week's time, were -filled with hurrying, scurrying females of the party, especially -Elizabeth Dalken. She shopped as if she expected to visit an Emperor and -attend Court instead of going on board her father's private Yacht for a -pleasure trip to South America. - -Everybody felt it necessary to advise everybody else about what to take -and what not to take. It seemed to Polly that the days fairly _crept_ -by, instead of galloping past as they had been wont to do in the last -three years. But everything comes to an end--even long, tedious waiting -for a certain day to arrive. And then the day came--a day of unusual -sunshine and balmy breezes: a perfect day for a sea voyage to begin. - -To the two eager girls who waved last goodbys to the maids at the Fabian -home it seemed that there never had been such a crowded week of work as -the one just finished. As the auto started to the Yacht Club wharf, even -Mr. Fabian, usually so peaceful and quiet, sighed as if he, too, felt -thankful that the rush and confusion was over. - -"Goodness me! Look at the crowd waiting on the dock to see us off!" -cried Polly, looking from the window of the car. - -Eleanor looked and exclaimed at the unexpected number of groups, whereas -it had been expected that only a few of the young men would be present -to bid the girls goodby. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby and Ruth, Mrs. Courtney and -Elizabeth Dalken expected to be on board the yacht; and Eleanor -Maynard's father from Chicago had wired that he would wait at -Jacksonville, Florida, for them to pick him up, as he had found it -impossible to leave his banking affairs in time to start with them from -New York. Polly's father and mother were at Pebbly Pit and they wired -their regrets that they could not join the merry mariners, but John and -Anne expected to arrive in New York in time to say goodby to the party. -Then where could these many people have come from? It was soon -explained. - -As the Fabian car came up close to the Dalken yacht, Mr. Fabian leaned -out of the open window to try and see if he recognized the number of -friends who had come to wish them _bon voyage._ When he drew back into -the automobile he was smiling. The girls had no time to ask him the -cause of his amusement, because the chauffeur stopped the car and -immediately, a number of handsome young men crowded close to the door -and began showering questions upon the youthful occupants. - -Then Polly got out and looked around, fully expecting to find her father -and mother waiting to surprise her at her sailing away for the adventure -to Southern Seas. But the girls were doomed to a fall in their -vanity--thinking all these persons on the dock were assembled to bid them -goodby! To their chagrin they saw that the majority of merry-makers were -there to see another family of friends off! not one of them had the -slightest acquaintance with Mr. Dalken's party. - -In the group eagerly waiting for the last arrivals--the unit composed of -Mr. and Mrs. Fabian and Nancy, Polly and Eleanor,--were to be seen our -old friends Mr. and Mrs. Latimer and Tom. Tom had come all the way from -the mine at Pebbly Pit in order to see Polly, and hold her hand just -once before having her go so far away. There, too, were Dr. and Mrs. -Evans and Kenneth; John Baxter and Mrs. Courtney. Evidently the owner of -the yacht and his daughter Elizabeth were already on board, as a shout, -to attract Polly's attention to the beautiful craft, came from a number -of young persons who were talking in the prow of the yacht. - -"Look, Nolla! Isn't that Paul Stewart and Pete Maynard up there with -Elizabeth Dalken?" whispered Polly hurriedly, as she tried to see who -were the individual members in the group. - -"Well! If that doesn't beat all! Come on, Poll--let's run in and shake -hands. I haven't had a word with Paul for so long that my tongue cleaves -to the roof of my mouth." And Eleanor ran. - -Polly was forcibly detained at the moment she started to follow Eleanor. -Tom Latimer had caught hold of her coat sleeve and was saying: "Aren't -you going to wait here to see John and Anne when they arrive?" - -"Oh! Aren't we all going on board? Why not visit with John and Anne, and -all the rest of you, while on the yacht?" asked Polly. - -Tom always became humble when in Polly's presence, and this occasion was -no exception to the rule. He meekly followed at Polly's heels as she led -the way up the steps of the wharf to the gangplank. In another moment -Polly was surrounded by her young friends and dragged to the luxurious -lounging room on the deck, where wicker chairs and tables and divans -invited one to sit and enjoy life. - -A few moments after seating herself in one of the wide-armed -chairs--chosen in order to compel Tom to select another chair and not try -to squeeze close to her side as he would have done had she seated -herself on the divan--Polly saw Mr. Dalken hurrying to join the group of -young friends. - -"Oh, Polly! I had a 'phone message from John--he says Anne and he just -got in at Grand Central and would hurry here in a taxi. He must be -almost here by this time, I judge, so you keep on the look-out for them, -will you? I have so many other things to attend to," was Mr. Dalken's -request. - -"All right, Dalky! Go on and do your duty, but don't kill yourself -working for others--as you always do," laughed Polly, waving a hand at -him. - -"There, Polly! Now you'd better come with me and stand at the rail to -watch for your brother and Anne," advised Tom, anxiously. - -"Yes? and have you stand there and talk nonsense to me, eh," laughed -Polly, softly, in order that others might not hear. - -Tom bit his lip. Polly knew she was uncharitable, but she rebelled at -Tom's constant tagging her when she wanted to enjoy the company of other -friends, too, and she generally spoke impulsively and regretted it -later. - -At this crisis between the two conditional lovers, Eleanor unconsciously -played the good fairy by drawing Polly's attention to a little side-play -between Elizabeth and Pete Maynard. They had quietly withdrawn from the -group of young people and were now enjoying a tete-a-tete back of the -funnel which acted as a partial screen for them. - -"I just wanted to say that Elizabeth's mother has trained her carefully -to encourage only such young men as can show an attractive bank-roll. -Totty never deigned to notice Ken and Paul, but quickly attached herself -to Pete. Well, Pete is playing the same game as Elizabeth's mother -plays, and Dad knows too much to let Pete use _his_ money for fortune -hunters!" was Eleanor's sarcastic remark. - -"But you must remember, Nolla, Totty isn't what one might call a -fortune-hunter, any more than Pete is. Mr. Dalken has no other heir to -his wealth, and some day Elizabeth will have more than she can use," -remonstrated Polly. - -"Pooh! Mr. Dalken is a handsome youngish man, Polly, and our Mrs. -Courtney is a fascinating, lonely youngish woman--there!" - -At such frank match-making between the two girls, Tom Latimer gasped. -The girls laughed at his shocked expression, and Eleanor added in a -whisper: "Tom, old dear, why do you think Elizabeth's mother sent her on -this cruise with the father who is so heartily detested by the social -moth, and has been completely ignored for years?" - -"W-e-ell," stammered Tom, innocently, "I'm sure I don't know. Now that -you mention it, I think I can see a little light." - -Eleanor laughed as she patted Tom on the back. "That's a good boy! Go to -the head of the class!" - -Just as a taxi drove recklessly up to the wharf, the whistle on the -yacht blew a terrific blast. Every one glanced apprehensively at the -pilot house to see what this meant. Surely the Captain had no intentions -of leaving then and there! Mr. Dalken was seen to hurry to the Captain's -room to inquire into the unexpected signal. - -John and Anne hurried on board and were soon surrounded by welcoming -friends, Polly the center of the group. All concern over the whistle was -forgotten in the gossip about the gold mine and all the doings at Pebbly -Pit Ranch. Anne had many packages to deliver to Polly from her mother, -and John had advices galore from her father. - -At a second warning call from the ear-splitting siren Mr. Dalken came -hurrying from the Captain's room. His face expressed impatience as he -joined his friends. They paused in their noisy conversation to hear what -he wished to say. - -"Captain Blake tells me that the pilot he has on board to take us out as -far as Sandy Hook declares he will leave this boat unless he can get -started at once. He avers that he is losing the tide, as well as other -jobs he signed up for. If he leaves us that means we will have to delay -our start until to-morrow," explained Mr. Dalken. - -"Oh, no, no!" sounded from several young throats, as their owners -crowded about Mr. Dalken to give good reasons why they should start at -once. - -"But we just got here!" cried John in a disappointed tone. - -"That's your loss--you ought to collect damages from the Twentieth -Century Limited," retorted Eleanor. - -"Oh, if only John and Anne would remain on board with us and go as far -as Jacksonville, where we expect to touch to pick up Nolla's father!" -exclaimed Polly, eagerly. - -"Say, John, that's a capital idea! Why not do it?" asked Mr. Dalken, -quickly. - -"What of my baggage at the Grand Central--and the rooms we wired to hold -for us from today?" queried John. - -"I'll see to the trunk, John, and one of the others will cancel the -reservation at the hotel," offered Kenneth Evans. - -During the eager talk occasioned by Polly's suggestion, Tom Latimer -seemed very thoughtful. When it was finally decided that John and his -wife would remain as Mr. Dalken's guests as far as Florida, Tom -deliberately spoke up! "I'll reconsider my refusal to be one of your -party as far as Jacksonville, Mr. Dalken. John and I have so many -important business matters to discuss at once, that this short voyage -will give us the opportunity we need." - -Polly looked amazed, and a general smile rippled the faces of all the -others present. They knew only too well what Tom's important business -matters consisted of. - -"That's too bad of you, Tom," exclaimed Polly, daringly. "I had hoped to -have a few words with my brother myself; now that all your time will be -engaged in business affairs I shall have to attach my company to another -champion until we reach Florida." - -Tom sulked at these words and a number of the friends in the group -laughed outright. But the sudden shrill blast overhead summarily -disposed of such trifles as a lover's scene. "There!" declared Mr. -Dalken. "That's the last call he'll give us, he said. If we don't obey -his orders he'll leave at once." - -This rude manner of sending his guests away seemed to hurt Mr. Dalken's -gentle heart, but his friends laughed at his concern. - -Midst shouts of goodbys and many advices to the would-be mariners, the -visiting party hurried from the yacht, leaving Tom and John and Anne on -deck with those remaining for the cruise. - -Just as the friends on shore hoped to see the sailor cast off the rope -which had been looped about the heavy post on the wharf, a frenzied cry -from a young man seen to be racing like mad down the walk to the dock, -drew all attention that way. Even the Captain watched the sprinter to -see what might be wrong at the last minute. - -It turned out to be Jim Latimer laden with boxes of bon bons and -flowers. He had sent Ken on ahead to tell the girls he was hunting in -the locality for proper little memos of his faithful love for them all, -but Kenneth had forgotten to mention it. - -"Heigh, there!" shouted Jim, furiously, to the man he saw grinning from -the pilot house, "don't you start until I get on with these presents!" - -Jim's father tried to prevent his son from springing on board the yacht -where all hands were hastening to cast off, but Jim had not become an -expert football player on Yale's team for nothing. - -In a few giant leaps he was on board and in a few more strides he joined -the young people. Naturally the young contingent congratulated him upon -arriving just in time, and the elders laughed tolerantly. - -"Think I was going to chase all over the West Side for decent candies -and flowers and then get left at the last moment?" demanded Jim, mopping -his perspiring face with his handkerchief. - -"You're just in time to say goodby and get off again," hinted his -brother Tom, who felt that his temperamental younger brother might -interrupt his planned tete-a-tetes with Polly that evening. - -"Leave nothing!" retorted Jim. "I'll get off where you do." His hearers -laughed. - -"I'm sailing with them as far as Florida," remarked Tom, coolly. - -"Yeh! Then so am I!" was all Jim said, as he turned away to look for Mr. -Dalken. - -A last and final shriek from the whistle sounded, and at the same time a -voice bawled out orders. The Captain was seen watching the group of -young friends, but his face looked like a black thunder-cloud. It was -evident to all that not only the Captain, but the owner of the yacht, as -well, were in no good humor at the behavior of the pilot. But the pilot -cared nothing for friendship or lovers, and he did care for his capacity -to earn dollars. - -Paul shouted to his companions to run for the gang-plank, when he saw -two sailors stand ready to cast off. Before Paul could warn his friends -of the need of haste, a loud voice bawled: "Stand ready to cast off -lines!" Then quickly followed the command: "Cast off!" - -At the same moment the ropes which had moored the yacht to her dock were -deftly thrown, and in another minute the beautiful craft was under way. -Mr. Dalken stood amazed at such action, and the young men thus trapped -and about to be carried away on the voyage, began to stutter and stammer -and wonder what had best be done. - -The girls, considering the manner in which their gallants had been duly -warned and then punished for not obeying the orders, laughed uneasily at -the result of such deafness to the siren's command. On the pier stood a -group of wide-eyed, open-mouthed elders who felt on the verge of nervous -collapse when they had time to remember that this departing vessel was -bound for South America, and those young men were not prepared to take -that trip. - -Mr. Dalken ran to the Captain's quarters and there he remained, instead -of returning to the deck to comfort the troubled souls of the male -admirers who had been so neatly snared. - -The yacht ran smoothly through the tawny waters of the Hudson River, and -headed for the Statue of Liberty. Though the girls, as well as the -trapped boys, were deeply concerned over the outcome of this action on -the Captain's part, they confessed to each other that it was thrilling -when one realized how neatly they had been kidnapped. And then, too, -what jolly times they all might have on the days and nights of this -marvellous cruise! - -Tom reminded Polly, as the yacht shot past the Statue, of that -experience they had shared the night that same yacht collided with the -ferryboat in the fog, and the unexpected dive and swim they were given--a -swim that all but ended fatally for Polly. - -Elizabeth had joined the other young people by this time, and she asked -to be told the circumstance of that adventure on Bedloe's Island. While -describing that thrilling incident, Tom gave his attention to Elizabeth, -thus he failed to notice that Polly slipped away. She had seen Mrs. -Courtney laughing and whispering with some one hidden back of the door -which opened to the private corridor of the Captain's quarters, and she -believed she knew who was standing there imparting such amusing news to -the lady. - -Unseen by Mrs. Courtney, Polly managed to come up quite unexpectedly and -overheard Mr. Dalken remarking: "So you see they will be taught a -necessary lesson at the same time." - -It was too late to change the topic, or to screen the man who imparted -this information, hence Mrs. Courtney laughed softly and begged Polly to -keep the secret. Both she and Mr. Dalken were sure Polly had overheard -all that had just been said. In truth, Polly allowed them to remain -under that impression, but she knew little more than she had before she -surprised them. - -The three sauntered away from the Captain's quarters, and Polly -remarked: "Well, we have much to be grateful for, Dalky. Especially for -the Captain's unusual consideration for young maids' preference for the -company of young men. He shows he was young himself at one time!" Then -she laughed merrily. - -"Yes; that is what he said just now, when I demanded an excuse for his -unwarranted action of adding all those extra appetites to my list of -passengers. We'll run short of rations long before we touch at Cuba," -said Mr. Dalken. - -The anxious young men now saw their host approaching, and Tom hurried -forward to meet him and ask for an explanation. Having been told how -amazed Mr. Dalken felt at the manner in which the Captain had acted, the -disgusted young man glanced inadvertently across the Harbor. - -Polly, watching Mr. Dalken's face for a cue to this hoax, saw him strive -to bite his nether lip in order to keep from laughing outright. This -instantly relieved her mind of any doubts, for she knew Mr. Dalken would -not feel like laughing if the carrying off of the group of young men had -been accidental. As it now seemed, the whole plan had been a trick. - -The yacht skimmed on without as much as a swerve inland to denote that -the Captain was softening his heart and was disposed to land his stolen -passengers at any dock along the way. The men thus stolen began to frown -heavily and every last one of them forgot to make the most of this -opportunity to converse with the young ladies they had found so charming -a short time before. - -Finally the craft neared Sandy Hook. As the distance between the Station -and the yacht seemed to diminish, a stranger in uniform came down from -the pilot house and approached Mr. Dalken. He held out a hand and spoke -in a low murmur. Mr. Dalken laughed and nodded his head. - -The yacht swept up alongside a small power boat which had apparently -kept the same course as the White Crest, and the uniformed stranger -turned to the wondering group of young persons. "I'm going ashore in my -launch, but there may be room for a few extra passengers in case any one -here fears sea-sickness and prefers to return to land." - -At this unexpected invitation, a rush of eager young men fell upon the -pilot and in one voice begged to be taken ashore. The laughter from Mr. -Dalken and his adult guests soon explained the joke. But the host would -not let the departing guests go in peace. - -"I'm shocked, boys, to find you are afraid of sea-sickness and choose to -go ashore rather than take a chance with us! Well, now that my girls see -for themselves what your courage amounts to, they may decide to marry -other young men they are sure to find in South America." - -The farewells spoken at this parting were short, and needed no more than -half a minute to finish. The pilot smiled grimly as he said: "Quite -different from those long-drawn-out goodbys you boys kept on saying -while at the dock!" - -Down in the launch, the young men who now liked to call themselves "The -Castaways," waved their hats and sang a farewell song while the little -chugging craft started away for land. - -Eleanor sighed as she turned away from the rail. "That was the first -adventure on our outward bound itinerary. What next, I wonder?" - -"Well, I can tell you something we _forgot_ to do, because of all this -excitement over those boys!" exclaimed Polly, impatiently. Then she -continued in a no less angry tone: "We had planned just how we would -stand at the stern of the yacht and wave our hands and sing a farewell -to our dear people waiting at the end of the pier to see the very last -speck of us, and then we sail away and not as much as a _thought_ do we -fling at them! I feel quite guilty when I think of all my friends -watching anxiously for one last look from me!" - -Polly's voice had an audible regret in its tone as she ended her -sentence, but Mrs. Courtney quickly changed the regret to merriment. -"Oh, my dear! They never remembered you were on board. Every one in that -crowd on the dock was so flustered over the fears of those boys being -taken on this trip and then hearing from you girls that they all were -married off as seemed best, that they were calling, running about for -help, signaling, and what not, to cause the yacht to turn back and -deposit those heart-breakers safely beside the parental authority once -more." - - - - -CHAPTER III--THE FIRST NIGHT OUT - - -While sampling the tiers of candies--each box vying with another in -artistic decorations--and then sniffing at the pyramids of flowers sent -by loving friends to the voyagers, the girls gossiped of the recent -events, the first experiences of their trip South. - -From this form of light conversation, the talk drifted to the discussion -of the weather and the waves. The sea was not as smooth and glassy as it -might have been, and the vessel these bragging maids were now on was not -as firm and quiet under foot as the Oceanic or the Aquitania. In fact, -every huge roller seemed to heave the dainty White Crest up at one end -and let it drop at the other. This rather unpleasant tumbling created a -slight sense of discomfort in the bosoms of the passengers. - -Several boxes of the richest bon bons had been emptied by the group of -girls before Mrs. Courtney came in to join them. The moment she saw the -boxes, and the girls lounging about nibbling at the sweets, she declared -anxiously: "Oh, my dears! Better not eat candy to-night, you know. If we -come into smoother water before to-morrow you will have ample time to -finish these boxes of candy." - -Elizabeth laughed, with the suggestion of a sneer in her tone. "Any one -would think, dear Mrs. Courtney, that we were not good sailors. _You_ -might find it necessary to deprive yourself of certain good things to -eat, but _I_ have crossed several times and I am _never_ troubled with -_mal de mer_." - -"Polly and I never felt a qualm when we went over last year; but that -was on a great gigantic steamer that felt different from this rocking." -As Eleanor spoke she dropped a tempting chocolate cream back into the -box. - -"I was about to remark, just as Mrs. Courtney came in, that it might be -wiser for us to defer sampling the rest of the candy until to-morrow. -This unusual rocking between the tops and the bottoms of the waves is a -bit uncanny--don't you agree with me?" Polly looked concerned at the -sensation she felt. - -Elizabeth laughed unkindly. "You are in for a lovely time, my dear -child!" - -"Well, I've crossed three times myself," now said Nancy Fabian, "but I -will admit that this upheaval of the waves is causing me to worry some -over my emotions." Her friends laughed. - -"This sea-sick business is only a matter of self-control, I think!" -declared Elizabeth, with a superior smile. "Naturally, if one dreads it, -one will feel more uncertain of keeping up. Now _I_ never permit myself -to dwell upon the disgusting thought of such a condition, and I am as -regular at the table each meal as the old sea-seasoned Captains. I have -been complimented by the Captains on having good sea-going nerves." - -Mrs. Courtney listened but offered no contribution to the conversation. -Polly was about to make a remark when a tap at the door drew the -attention of the occupants of the room. - -"Come in," said Eleanor, who sat nearest the door. It was a uniformed -boy who came to announce afternoon tea on deck. "Mr. Dalken says to tell -you'se all that every one is there waitin' fer ye'se." - -"All right, thank you. We'll be there in a moment," said Eleanor, then -she closed the door again. "Any one here want tea? We have had so much -candy that I don't see how we can eat cake or buns." - -"We will go up and join the others, however," added Mrs. Courtney, -rising to lead the way from the state room. - -"But, my dears!" exclaimed Elizabeth in shocked tones. "_Surely_ you -would not sit down to afternoon tea in these street suits?" - -"Of course, Elizabeth. Your father made it very plain that this was to -be a rest and pleasure voyage, and not one for dress or social customs. -We were asked to live exactly as if we were at home in our own little -apartments with no one but family members near," explained Mrs. -Courtney, kindly. - -"Well, that may do all right for you, Mrs. Courtney, but I, for one, -shall never lower my dignity and social prestige to such a degree that I -would have to feel like apologizing to myself for my appearances." With -this rude explanation Elizabeth flounced from the room and went directly -to her own stateroom. - -Her erstwhile companions, believing she would change her dress and make -an elaborate toilet before joining her father's guests on deck, paid no -further attention to her absence. But they hurried out of the room where -Elizabeth had indulged in overmuch sweets and fruits, and were soon -ensconced in comfortable chairs on deck with the elders who were sipping -fragrant tea and enjoying tea cakes. - -Tom made room on the divan for Polly, and she had not the initiative to -refuse to sit beside him. She could not describe the lack of interest -she felt in her friends, or the glorious sky and weather. John and Anne -were laughing and exchanging their opinions with Mr. Dalken on the -quality of his chef. It was the mutual vote of those present that the -cook was a genuine find. John even said it was an appeal to the male to -remain on the yacht and continue the trip to the Andes. - -The crispy brown cakes were so tempting, and the high praise from the -men sounded so alluring, that the girls helped themselves to the -refreshments provided. An unusually heavy roller caused a little tremor -in the minds of most of the mariners, but the sandwiches and cakes were -not neglected for such a small cause. - -"Why, of all things!" cried Polly, glancing at the coast line which was -standing out clearly defined from the changing hues in the sky. "Here we -are off Atlantic Highlands already! It seems just a moment since we -passed Sandy Hook." - -"At this rate I fear we will land in Peru long before we are ready to -leave the ship," laughed Eleanor, munching on a chicken sandwich. - -For the space of half an hour thereafter, the group of gourmands -(self-styled as gourmands because they ate so much of the delicious -viands provided by the chef) admired the setting sun and the colors -reflected in the sea by the clouds. No one had missed Elizabeth as yet, -because every one was busy with the tea table. But now Mr. Dalken -glanced uneasily around at the faces so familiar to him, and wondered -aloud: "Why, where is Totty?" - -His companions glanced from one to the other, and Mrs. Courtney, fearing -lest Polly in her frankness might blurt out the truth about suitable -dressing for tea, explained: "Elizabeth left us to go to her own room to -change her dress. She thought the tailor-made street suit rather heavy -and uncomfortable for lounging about a tea table." - -Those who had heard Elizabeth's unkind remark to Mrs. Courtney silently -commended her kind interpretation of the girl's sentence. Mr. Dalken, -believing his daughter would soon appear, felt satisfied to wait for her -coming. Then the sudden sinking to the horizon of the great sun-ball of -red caused various exclamations of admiration, and also drew the friends -to that side of the yacht where the sunset could be seen to the greatest -advantage. - -As the sun set the wind rose. In a short time a perfect gale was tearing -across the waters, and the waves rose accordingly. In fact, so mighty -became the rollers, and so uncertain the footing on board the yacht, -that it was a risk for the "land-lubbers" to attempt to walk recklessly -about the deck. Giant waves, every now and then, washed over the swiftly -flying yacht and sprayed the voyagers with salty drops, and Mr. Dalken -advised them all to go in and rest before dinner was announced. - -Perhaps it was due to obeying his advice to lie down for a short time; -perhaps it was the partaking of too much of the delicious viands -provided by the jewel of a chef; perhaps it was just plain old sea -sickness--but whatever it was, let it here be stated that only two adults -appeared in the dining room that evening for dinner: Mrs. Courtney and -Mr. Dalken. - -Having waited and waited for the appearance of the others in their -party, and having ascertained by continued perseverance of a -questionnaire, in the form of a 'phone, that his guests preferred to -dine in bed, Mr. Dalken finally concluded to eat. Therefore he sent word -by said 'phone to ascertain how many trays would be wanted by sick -friends. - -The reply caused Mrs. Courtney a hearty laugh, while Mr. Dalken found -ample pleasure for the next week in referring to that night's -experience, and to their curt thanks to his humanitarian impulses. - -Elizabeth had not joined her father's guests at tea that late afternoon -for the very good reason that she threw herself upon the bed in her room -and was glad enough to remain there for several days. She had eaten -three times as much candy and fruit as any one of her companions, and -now she was paying the price for self-indulgence. Where now were all her -brags about being such a splendid sailor! - -It was not an individual weakness on the part of Polly and Eleanor that -they succumbed to the attack of sea sickness soon after they reached -their small rooms. But they were not aware at the time that _all_ -adults, excepting Mr. Dalken and Mrs. Courtney, had decided against -dining that night, and remained in their own rooms instead. Had the two -girls dreamed of the truth, that the two pawns in their match-making -game were enjoying a tete-a-tete dinner and evening together, this -knowledge would have done much to console them for their weird -sensations within. - -As the evening advanced the gale increased, and those who felt too ill -to leave their beds feared lest they _might_ survive till morning. The -yacht could not sink quick enough to please them. Elizabeth was one of -this group of morbid sailors. The members of the other group who felt -able to hold up their heads and take a squint at the turbulent waters -and sky now and then when the craft seemed to spin about on a pivot, or -suddenly soar to the sky and as quickly change its course to sink to the -bottom of the sea, prayed and prayed that the shores of Florida might -loom up within the next few hours--that they might go ashore. - -These prayers, being selfish ones, were not answered, and the coast of -Florida remained where it had been placed in the order of arranging the -New World. - -Having managed to drag herself across her room to the porthole, Polly -looked out to see whether the moon was the next stop. She thought the -yacht had been going, prow upwards, for the last hour. To her amazement -she saw they were still on the sea, but such a sea! So tumbled and -troubled that she wished for oil to pour upon it. - -Eleanor and Polly shared one room, and now Eleanor lifted her head and -wailed: "What do you see, Poll?" - -"I see sea, that's all. Oh, my head!" and Polly fell into a chair and -caught her head between her hands. - -In spite of her wish to die, Eleanor could not refrain from laughing at -her chum. "I should have said you see saw, instead of see sea, judging -from the 'now we go up, and now we go down' behavior of the board we are -on." - -But no answering smile came from Polly's somber face. - -Eleanor, not to be discouraged in her wish to help her friend cheer up, -murmured: "If we feel this way, Poll, how do you suppose precious Totty -is doing?" - -This struck Polly's sense of humor at the right moment. She had to laugh -in spite of her wish to ponder on death and the hereafter. The picture -of Elizabeth as she bragged of her seamanship, gave cause to a duet of -merriment from the two girls. This acted like a tonic, and thenceforth -they began to feel easier. Then, too, the gale had spent its fury and -began gradually to calm down. - -A soft knock on the door of their room brought forth the command to come -in. Mrs. Courtney, looking magnificent in her simple but elegant dinner -gown entered with a cheerful smile for the girls. - -"Well, well! Where are the seasoned ocean travelers?" said she in a -quizzing tone. - -"Lost! Went down off Sandy Hook!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Who are these shadows in their place?" continued Mrs. Courtney, -teasingly. - -"Never mind who we are," was Polly's laughing rejoinder, "but tell us -this much: where is Elizabeth, and what is she doing?" - -"That I cannot say, my dears, till after Mr. Dalken comes from his -daughter's room. I left him just now about to visit her, then I came in -here to see you. I understand she wishes to die without delay." - -This seemed to tickle Polly and Eleanor greatly. They actually exchanged -delighted glances, and Eleanor said: "Serves her right." - -"Oh, come," returned Mrs. Courtney, "don't say that. The poor child has -never had any real example of what is right and good, so how can one -expect of her what we do of girls like you and Polly?" - -"Well," said Polly, swinging her feet out of bed, "I believe I am able -to sit up and enjoy this visit. The sea must be calming down -considerably from the smooth manner in which the yacht is moving." - -But Polly spoke too soon. The moment she tried to stand upon her feet -she swayed uncertainly and her head spun around like a top. Mrs. -Courtney sprang over and caught her arm and steadied her till she got -back to bed. Eleanor giggled unmercifully. - -"Better stay put, Poll, till morning. Then we'll practice before we show -off." - -All that night the waves which had caused the pitching and rolling of -the vessel kept up a heavy under-swell that made the yacht shudder and -tremble uncertainly. At times it seemed as if the great gaping rollers -wished to gulp the small craft in one swallow. But inside the -comfortable rooms of the yacht, the _un_comfortable passengers waited -patiently for the heavy seas to quiet down again. - -After leaving his daughter's room, Mr. Dalken went forward to find the -First Mate who had said he had graduated from a medical college out -west. Having found the man, Mr. Dalken called him by his title of -doctor. - -"I have a plan to suggest, Dr. Braxton, which ought to cure all our -seasick passengers. I want you to visit each one in a professional way -and diagnose their conditions. Do not find any one suffering from sea -sickness, but find some light cause for their indisposition and be sure -and tell them so. I have an idea that the test of changing their minds -about the cause of their being in bed will change their physical -conditions, too. Will you do this for me? Take your medicine chest and -leave each one some melted licorice in water. Tell them to take a -tablespoonful of this wonderful tonic every hour--then we'll see." - -"Why, Mr. Dalken, you would not have me tell these poor people that they -are not ill with sea sickness, would you? It would be unkind of us to do -that," objected the poor young man. - -"Now listen, my good friend. I've heard said, over and over again, that -seasickness is mostly due to fear and _concern_ over one's having it. -The pneumogastric nerve acts with the mental condition of the patient--we -all know that. And this nerve, it is claimed, is directly affected in a -manner to make the ill one think he cannot move, or get up, or eat. I -want to cure my friends in a hurry, and I want you to help me cure them. -That is real kindness--not unkindness." - -The interested young man asked what more would be required of him, and -Mr. Dalken explained. In a short time thereafter, Dr. Braxton called -upon his first patient. It happened to be Mr. Fabian. - -After using all the usual methods of taking pulse, looking at the -tongue, feeling of the heart, and taking the temperature, the young -physician said: - -"I'm happy to say, Mr. Fabian, that this attack is not a case of -sea-sickness at all, but acute comatose condition of the digestive -glands. You might have experienced the same illness had you been at -home. Now I shall leave you this wonderful remedy to take every hour, -and in the morning you will feel fine. Three doses of this ought to put -you right as a trivet." - -Mr. Fabian was so glad to hear he had not had an attack of sea-sickness -that he thanked the doctor and said he felt sure he would be around in -the morning. - -Having visited all the sick-abed members of Mr. Dalken's party, and -found one suffering from a slight attack of gastritis, another with -rheumatic neurosis of the abdomen, and many other queer complaints that -have never been heard of before or since that night, and then having -left the great cure-all medicine for each and every one stricken, the -willing physician went to report to Mr. Dalken. - - - - -CHAPTER IV--THE SECOND DAY OUT - - -Mr. Dalken enjoyed the joke immensely and hoped it would benefit his -friends as he had planned it should. During the night the sea calmed so -that by dawn it presented a beautiful surface of small playful waves. -Consequently the yacht danced over the waters like a happy nautilus, but -the tossing had ceased. - -During the night the vessel had made wonderful headway and by breakfast -time the Captain said they were opposite Old Point Comfort. The -information gave rise to puns, because every member in the party except -Elizabeth, presented himself at the table, ready for a hearty meal, but -one and all maintained that their improvement was due to Old Point -Comfort. - -Upon comparing notes of their illnesses, and the dark brown medicine -given by the young doctor, the patients found they had been given -diluted licorice; Mr. Dalken had visited his daughter several times -during the night, and again in the morning, but she complained that he -disturbed her rest every time he came in. Therefore he decided not to -annoy her until she felt better. - -When asked by Mrs. Courtney whether it would be advisable to take a -light breakfast to Elizabeth and attend her, Mr. Dalken replied: "Better -leave her absolutely alone for a short time. She may recover sooner." - -In spite of ravenous appetites and the temptation of the dainty dishes -sent to the breakfast table, the mariners, so recently recovering from -the effects of the wild waves of the night before, found a sudden -relapse of well remembered conditions the moment any food touched their -tongue and palate. Thus the alluring breakfast had to be sent back to -the kitchen with regrets. - -That day the convalescents, as Mr. Dalken persisted in calling his -guests, preferred to keep quiet, amusing themselves with the periodicals -liberally provided in the lounging room, or chatting on deck and -watching the curling waves against the speeding yacht. - -Late in the afternoon, just before tea was served on deck, Elizabeth -came from her room, looking very pathetic in spite of the touch of rouge -on her cheeks, and color on her lips. Mr. Dalken sprang up to assist her -to a chair, but she refused his support with an impatient toss of her -head. Consequently, the vessel giving a sudden graceful curve, Elizabeth -was thrown head first into Mr. Ashby's arms. - -"My! It's not often that an old man has such an armful of loveliness -tossed him by the generous sea," laughed Mr. Ashby, as he assisted -Elizabeth to her feet. He understood the way to calm a young woman's -chagrin, and compliment her at the same time. - -Elizabeth had not heard of the graduate physician's visits to the other -sea sick guests, nor of the dark brown medicine he had prescribed in -obedience to Mr. Dalken's orders. Hence she believed she had been the -one who received all the medical attentions and the dose. - -"Dear me, I have had such an attack of cerebral neuritis," commenced -she, sighing to attract sympathy. "Unfortunately, this attack came over -me from the unusual excitement due to preparing for this cruise. The -doctor says I need more rest and a nerve tonic. I never call in such -inexperienced doctors at home, but this one seems to know exactly what -to do in my case." - -Elizabeth glanced at Mrs. Courtney, then at her father, in order to -assure herself that they had comprehended what she had said. Mrs. -Courtney seemed to be politely intent upon the girl's words, and Mr. -Dalken smiled lovingly at his daughter. Elizabeth failed to read any -suspicion of amusement in their expressions, so she proceeded. - -"You know, I never am sea-sick--_never_! And I wondered if the rest of -you would think that my indisposition might be an attack of the -unpleasant sensations which generally prostrate inexperienced seafarers. -It was rather disconcerting that this attack of nervous trouble should -return the first day out at sea." Elizabeth now glanced around at the -faces about her. She felt a bit piqued at the hardly controlled -expressions of one or two of them. - -Eleanor, with her blunt honesty and impatience with any form of -subterfuge, blurted out unexpectedly: "I, too, was indisposed, -Elizabeth; but the wise young doctor informed me that I _never_ could be -sea-sick--my trouble was eating too much candy, and the volume of water -which was playing fast and loose with the yacht. He gave me this dark -brown medicine to take, and assured me that the moment the gale subsided -my nausea would disappear." - -As Eleanor spoke she took a small bottle from her bag and held it out in -plain view of Elizabeth and the others in the amused circle of friends. - -Elizabeth looked in dismay, recognized the color of the medicine, then -glanced about at the smiling faces of those who also had taken the -doctor's medicine. - -"Is this a joke you wish to play on me?" demanded she. - -[Illustration: "IS THIS A JOKE YOU WISH TO PLAY ON ME?"] - -"It wasn't a joke last night, I can tell you, Elizabeth," exclaimed -Polly, bringing her vial to view and shaking her head deploringly as she -studied the brown liquid. "If every one on this ship felt as I did, -they'd never have thought of a doctor or medicine, let alone any -licorice water." - -The laugh caused by Polly's admission failed to soothe Elizabeth. She -was furious, but managed to demand: "Who of this group was ill?" In this -manner she thought to detect the ones who had taken such amusement in -fooling their friends. - -One after another in the circle admitted the truth, but Mrs. Courtney -confessed to having spent her evening with Polly and Eleanor. That left -Mr. Dalken alone. He smiled as he said: "Well, I am forced to confess -that I am the guilty one. I prescribed the doctor and his doses." - -As Elizabeth could not very well denounce her father for having played -this practical joke on his friends as well as on herself, she merely -tossed her head and turned her back upon him. He smiled to himself, then -caught Polly's glance which told him she understood the cause of his -daughter's annoyance. Also he read a sympathy in her heart for the -misunderstanding so deliberately displayed by the girl. - -Fortunately for the situation the boy now came forward and began -preparations to serve tea. Having arranged the wicker table in front of -Mrs. Courtney, without a look or word to Mrs. Fabian or Mrs. Ashby who -were in the circle, he left again to fetch the tea service. Directly -behind the well-bred young servant came an uncouth Scandinavian youth -carrying a heavy tray of viands. - -Mr. Dalken had not seen nor had anything to do with engaging the -individuals in the crew on his yacht, as that was part of his Captain's -work. And up to this moment Mr. Dalken had never seen this great -overgrown Swede. But the blonde giant had no intentions of being -ignored, as he soon made plain. - -He planked his tray forcibly upon the table beside the tea service -wagon, and then turned to Mr. Dalken. No introduction was needed for -him. He was too disturbed to consider aught but his injured feelings. - -"Dot tea what yun Shink meks me fer supper, Oi not drink. Oi tek cuffee -er Oi go home!" exclaimed he with ire. - -Several of the voyagers had been quietly admiring the low-lying banks of -soft cirrus clouds, and some had been engaged in absent-mindedly -watching the man servant arrange the tea table, when the Swede exploded -his complaint in a loud thunderous tone. - -Mr. Dalken gave a start. He was too surprised at the unlooked for -complaint to control the nervous action. He frowned at the ponderous -youth, then waved him away. Turning to the other man he told him to -serve; then he followed the wondering Swede down the promenade deck to -the culinary quarters. - -As Mr. Dalken disappeared to view, Elizabeth smiled a tantalizing smile -and remarked, to no one in particular: "Dear me! I cannot understand why -Daddy engages such inexperienced servants. He always did neglect -important things." - -An ominous silence followed this information from Elizabeth, then Mr. -Ashby gayly proposed a diversion which interested his friends till Mr. -Dalken rejoined the group. - -Not having heard his daughter's criticism Mr. Dalken reseated himself -and smiled as he began: "I investigated the cause of that young chap's -complaint, because I could not very well consent to his walking back -home--not on the water, you know. And I discovered a most amusing affair -back in the kitchen. Want to hear the tale?" - -Every one but Elizabeth signified eagerly a desire to hear the story. -She pretended indifference to her father and his experience in the -kitchen. But he did not see her face and laughingly began his narrative. - -"I learned that the Chef treats the crew with unusual consideration by -serving the same quality tea that we drink. That poor Scandinavian lad -had never before sailed with a decent crew, it seems. In the past he has -been the butt for all the deep-sea sailors who sailed from their Swedish -ports on tramp steamers or fishing boats. - -"Captain Blake tells me that Jansen is a fine youth and very -conscientious, but too blunt for his own good. In his past experiences -he has only had the cheapest black coffee served, or a weak sort of -bitter drink faintly colored that went by the name of tea. The Captain -explained to me that such tea is made from used tea-leaves which are -dried by enterprising men and stained with chemicals to produce a brown -liquid with a strong flavor. Naturally, he said, such second-hand tea -leaves are not any too clean. The driers do not spend time on seeing to -it that the leaves are kept free from vermin and dirt. Hence it often -happens that sailors find unexpected dregs mixed with their tea leaves -in the bottom of the pannikins in which they receive their measure of -so-called tea." - -As Mr. Dalken reached this part of his story Elizabeth gave a shudder -and exclaimed in a horror-stricken tone: "Oh, Daddy! How _can_ you be so -ordinary as to speak of such horrible things? Any one would think you -were just common. What does it matter to us whether these plebeian -seamen drink tea or salt water, as long as we are not subjected to their -coarse modes of living?" - -Mr. Dalken turned to stare at Elizabeth, and his frown should have -warned her of further pursuing such a line of condemnation. But -Elizabeth was bent on punishing her father for having made her--so she -deemed it--the laughing stock of his friends by sending in a doctor who -gave her licorice water to cure a serious attack of cerebral neuritis, -though Elizabeth was not quite sure what such a dreadful disease was. - -"You have forgotten, I suppose, because of the recent years of your not -associating with the best society, that subjects of food are not -considered permissible. But the very idea of any one in my class of -friends, daring to broach a story such as you just began--all about -vermin--would have instantly caused him to be excluded from us," -concluded she. - -Polly stared unbelievingly at the girl who dared say such things to a -father; and the others in the group who considered themselves intimate -friends of Mr. Dalken's, could not but interpret the insolent girl's -speech as personal affronts: had they not been her father's closest -associates for the past few years? The society which she daringly -condemned as not being good for him? - -What may have been the result of this indiscreet speech from Elizabeth -could not be said, but Mrs. Courtney, in her wisdom, instantly rose to -the call for immediate action of some sort. The Captain had just -announced a "change of watch on board." She caught at the idea. - -"Oh, oh! Mr. Dalken! The Captain is about to change the watch. Cannot -you take us there and explain how this interesting act is accomplished?" -As she spoke the wily woman sprang from her chair, and took two or three -eager steps in the direction of the group of sailors now appearing -before the Captain. - -Instantly all the other members in the circle seated at the tea table -sprang up, only too thankful to catch at a straw by which to save the -situation. Mr. Dalken also rose and led the way down the promenade deck -in the direction of the Captain. Elizabeth remained in her chair, -shrugging her shoulders in a decidedly French manner. - -Having heard the Captain explain how changes of watch were made on -vessels, the group of friends eagerly accepted his offer to conduct them -over the entire yacht. They were introduced to the chef who had been -called the "Shink" by the Swedish boy. They met and felt an interest in -the overgrown, inexperienced youth of fifteen who seemed like a hearty -man of twenty-five. He grinned sheepishly when Polly selected him to -address her admiration of his qualities of seamanship--as the Captain had -explained it. - -Then they were introduced to the capable young Belgian waiter, Johann, -who was always well-bred and attentive. - -Shink, the Chinese cook, felt so nattered by the visit of many pretty -women to his domain that his rather incomprehensible manner of speaking -English became choked and jumbled. Such a medley of consonants and -vowels as he poured forth in a continuous flood by his twisting tongue, -caused his visitors to gasp in breathless amazement. In his endeavors to -show "Honorable Boss Fren's" all the courtesy due their Most Honorable -Selves, Shink bowed and chattered, even after the Most Honorable Party -had gone. - -Unfortunately for the Oriental's peace of mind, and the welfare of the -Swede the latter had stepped outside the kitchen to make more room for -the visitors. As the group of Mr. Dalken's guests were leaving the -kitchen by another door from that entered by them, a great crash of -china was heard by the excitable Shink. He leaped to the door and -discovered the cause. Poor Wooden-top, as the Swedish lad was nicknamed -by his associates, in turning to gaze after the receding form of Polly -to whom his heart was forever lost, had stubbed his toe against the -raised door sill. The heavy tray of dishes which he had been carrying -aloft went flying through the door to smash as best suited each -individual dish against the opposite wall. - -Elizabeth was not to be seen when the inspecting party returned to the -lounging place on deck. But it was soon ascertained that she had retired -to her own room after her friends had left her. - -That evening was a merry one. Dancing and other diversions were enjoyed -by the younger members of the party, and cards were played by the older -ones, to the entire satisfaction of both groups. The sea was as calm as -a sheet of glass, but the Captain foretold a storm, though this was hard -to believe when one gazed at the wonderful starlit sky and felt the -clearness of the atmosphere. - -"The Captain says we will soon be off the coast of Florida, if we keep -up this speed," ventured Polly, who had stood with the man in charge of -the yacht for a long time that evening after dinner. - -"And there I shall have to leave you," whispered Tom, in a moody tone of -voice. - -"You should be thankful that you were granted this lovely visit with Mr. -Dalken's friends," returned Polly, purposely misinterpreting his -meaning. She hoped to steer Tom away from his constant harping on his -love for her, and demanding her sympathy in his distress over it. - -The temperature had become so balmy and delightful in the latitudes the -yacht had reached, that it was a pleasure to sit on deck or walk about -while thinking of the sleety, penetratingly cold air in New York City. -Tom, anxious to make the most of his fast-ending visit on board the -vessel, coaxed Polly to go with him and watch the moon rise over the -quiet sea. - -With a desperate glance behind--much as Lot's wife must have given after -leaving Sodom to its fate--Polly sighed and agreed. There seemed to be no -other alternative. Eleanor and Ruth Ashby had vanished soon after the -last dance had ended, Nancy was deep in a new novel, Elizabeth was in -her own room, and the rest were playing a new game of cards proposed by -Mrs. Ashby. - -Tom, elated at his success in securing Polly's undivided company upon -such a glorious night, walked with her to a cosy nook he had found in -the stern of the vessel. Here, seated upon luxurious chairs which he had -commandeered from the lounge, he felt that any girl should be willing to -watch the frothy wash of the water from the rapid cleaving of the yacht -through its surface, and listen to an ardent lover who had much to say -in a very short space of time. - -But Polly thought otherwise. She was willing to watch the churning water -thrown this side and that by the stern of the boat, and she was eager to -see the moon rise from the horizon of the sea, but she was not keen -about hearing, again, the oft-repeated story of Tom's love and his -heartache because she would not reciprocate such love. - -Just as long as Tom kept to general topics of conversation, Polly smiled -and showed an interest in him. But let him launch his love story even in -the least possible manner, and she instantly sat up and changed the -subject to one of the weather, the moon, or the landing at Jacksonville, -where they were to find friends awaiting the yacht. - -Tom finally rebelled at such treatment. - -"Polly, you are cruel, and you know it! Here it has been many, many long -weeks since Christmas, when you showed me enough heart to make me -believe that you truly loved me. But you froze up again, the next day, -and since then you try to make yourself and others believe that you -consider me only in the light of a good friend. If it takes serious -illness or adversity to rouse your love, I'll do something desperate to -prove you!" Tom's threat sounded ominous. - -"Tom, I really think you are mentally deranged. I've told you over and -again, that I shall take ample time to weigh my future life. It's not -going to be a case of 'marry in haste; repent at leisure.' I have wanted -to travel and see the world, and now that I have the opportunity, it is -sheer selfishness on your part to try to dissuade me from such joy and -pleasure." - -"Oh, Polly! I am the least selfish lover in the world. I tag on at your -heels and never receive any mark of your affection. Why, you scarcely -deign to notice me, when other admirers are at hand." - -"That's not true, but I do try to show them the same attention and -consideration that any sensible girl ought to. I have said emphatically -that I am _not_ to be considered as having been captured by you, and the -fact that I have to assert myself to prove it to our friends may make -you think it is as you say. It is your fault that this is so. I prefer -to be impartial and not give myself all the extra trouble to act as I -feel, entirely free and glad to dance or enjoy the society of other -young men besides yourself." - -Tom made no reply, but sat staring gloomily out over the water. Polly -sent him a side glance and thought to herself: "There, that frank -statement ought to hold him for a time, at least!" - -The two felt that their tete-a-tete had best end before it terminated in -the usual disagreement regarding love. The sky became mottled with -beautiful drifting clouds which formed slowly into the long, scaly -appearance of what is known as a "mackerel sky." The smoothness of the -sea had become a choppy, complaining surface of murmuring wavelets. The -color reflected from the brooding sky had turned the glassy waters into -a grey ominous sheet. - -Almost within the shaft of light coming from the saloon lights, Polly -and Tom came face to face with the Captain. He saluted and said: "Better -get ready for a turn to-night. I've just been warning Mr. Dalken, but he -seems to think I am borrowing trouble. If you listen to me, you will tie -yourselves in bed in order to spare yourselves being rolled out -unceremoniously before dawn." - -Polly laughed and thanked the amiable Captain, and Tom stood for a -moment after the officer had left them, and stared out at the sullen -sea. - -"It looks perfectly calm," remarked Tom. - -"Looks often belie the true condition underneath," returned Polly, -precociously. Tom looked at her and laughed appreciatively. - -In the saloon the young people were trying some of the new popular songs -of New York. But their efforts met with little success, and Tom -interrupted them with his comments. - -"Don't tease the storm to descend any sooner by this wailing. The -Captain says we shall all be satisfied with enough groaning and -screaming from the sea and sky long before morning." - -The Captain's warning fell unheeded, however, except by Polly who felt -intuitively that the change she had seen creeping over the sky and -surface of the sea foreboded no good. Therefore, she persuaded Eleanor, -that night, to place ready at hand her booties and a heavy ulster. She -did the same. - -"But why the ulster, Polly?" asked Eleanor in amazement. - -"Because, should we have a terrific blow as oft times happens in these -tropical latitudes, it will be well worth going up on the deck. And we -will need a heavy storm-proof coat to keep us dry." - -It was past eleven o'clock when the party on the yacht broke up and -every one said good-night to every one. It was not yet twelve when Polly -advised Eleanor to keep her booties and wraps at hand in case she wanted -to don them in a hurry, and it was only a few minutes past twelve when, -both girls, having jumped into bed, heard a strange soughing of the wind -and immediately following that, the confused shouts of the Captain and -his mates to the sailors on board. Both girls felt the rise of the sea -by the way the yacht dipped and careened as if at the mercy of the -storm. - -"There! The Captain was right when he warned us of this," murmured -Polly, turning about in order to get out of her bed. - -The shouting and excitement on deck continued and Eleanor decided it -might be interesting for her to follow Polly's example and dress -hurriedly in order to investigate the cause of all the commotion. Before -she could reach out to take her stockings and shoes, however, she was -thrown violently against the wall at the back of her bed. Polly, too, -was tumbled willy nilly up against the wash stand. - -"Well! I neve----!" began Eleanor, but she never completed her exclamation -of dismay. Such a roar and rumble from all sides, and such shouting and -shrieking, drove all ideas from her active brain. - -The shouts came from the officers outside, the shrieks from Elizabeth -who occupied the neighboring cabin. - -Hail, great volumes of water, and bits of debris were hurtled against -the glass in the portholes, and at the same time the awful rolling and -tossing of the vessel added dismay to braver hearts than that of the -spoiled darling of a foolish mother in New York. - -The storm drove the yacht straight southward, which was fortunate; also -it was a fortunate matter that the Captain had foreseen this change in -weather and had prepared for it in time. What he had not expected, and -an unusual experience it was, was the cloud-burst which followed the -advance signals of the hurricane. - -Polly and Eleanor had managed to get into their heavy storm coats and -shoes, and were prepared to leave their room and watch events when the -sound of a heavy metal grating against the door of the corridor which -opened into the living room of the yacht, made them exchange glances. - -"That sounds as if we were prisoners. It must have been the iron bar -that the Captain said they used when there was danger of the heavy seas -breaking the doors open," said Polly. - -"All the more reason why I should wish to be out and get the benefit of -such a storm," ventured Eleanor. - -"And all the more reason why I shall hold you indoors," instantly -retorted Polly. - -Eleanor laughed. "Yet you were the one to suggest that I get out my coat -and shoes, to be ready to hurry out and watch the storm should it come -our way." - -"I had no idea that we were bound to run head first into a hurricane, or -a tidal wave! _I_ meant a simple, little old-fashioned gale." - -Suddenly the White Crest lay over on her beam ends and both girls slid -helplessly down against the wall where they clutched at the smooth door, -trying to hold to something firm and trustworthy. The sound of the -screeching, howling wind now rose to a deafening shriek which prevented -any one from hearing a word spoken, even though the speaker was close to -one's ear. - -By sheer means of strength and purpose Polly managed to drag herself up -to a level with the round porthole, in order to get a look outside. She -steadied herself in this slanting position while holding fast to the -brass hinges and knob of the heavy-framed glass. - -"Oh, Nolla! It is magnificent! The waves are a mass of boiling, seething -phosphorescence which actually light the whole sea! If you can hold -fast, try to stand up and see." - -By dint of clinging to Polly's legs and then holding fast to her waist, -Eleanor managed to stand beside her friend just long enough to take one -look at the fearsome sight of the ocean. - -With a hushed cry of dismay Eleanor let go her hold and in another -minute she was rolled over and over upon the floor with no means of -ending the game of bowls until she had clutched the leg of her bed. - -"Oh, Polly! I wish I had never looked! I'm sure we shall not be able to -combat such a storm," wailed Eleanor. - -"Don't you go and follow Elizabeth Dalken's example of fear and cries -for help," came from Polly who still clung to the window and watched -with fascinated eyes. But even her powers of endurance gave way as a -monster wave, crested with such bluish, iridescent light as would have -daunted the bravest nerve, rushed up against the plaything which Mr. -Dalken believed to be proof against all the elements. - -It struck the craft with a thundering blow and at once it seemed as if -pandemonium was loose. Elizabeth yelled and screamed, other voices could -be heard shouting and screaming at the top of good powerful seamen's -lungs, and the pounding of water on the deck and against the door made -both girls shiver with apprehension. Polly had let go her grasp on the -brass knob when the unexpected flood of water came up against the -window, consequently she was shunted over against the wall beside -Eleanor. - -Half a dozen great seas went over the craft while Polly and Eleanor -crouched against the wall in utter despair of thinking of a way to hush -the nerve-racking screams from Elizabeth. When the storm seemed to reach -its height, and the girls felt that they would be lost unless something -happened quick, there came a sudden and awesome lull. - -"Oh, thank goodness, it is over!" sighed Eleanor getting to her feet, -and making an effort to reach the door of her room. - -"Let's get out and join the others, Nolla, because I have heard that -such sudden lulls are merely harbingers of something worse," advised -Polly. - -"There can be nothing worse than what we've just passed through," said -Eleanor, with a hysterical sound in her tones. - -"Oh, yes, there can! Hurry into Mrs. Courtney's room," said Polly, -pushing her friend quickly out of the room and over to the door of the -room where they expected to find their friend. - -The room was vacant. The girls stared at each other, and Polly thought -she heard voices in Elizabeth Dalken's room. She managed to reach it, -open it, and then, before she could say a word, the lull was broken. - -Both girls were tossed like cockle shells into the room where Mrs. -Courtney was trying to soothe Elizabeth Dalken's nervous hysteria. At -the same time such a frightful sound of pounding waters on the deck and -sides and top of the yacht drove apprehension deeper into their souls. -Even courageous Mrs. Courtney showed her sense of fear. - -"What is that noise?" whispered Eleanor in a weak voice. - -"I don't know, dear," replied Mrs. Courtney, "but it sounds like a cloud -burst. The moment it is over we shall be all right." - -And this is what it turned out to be. A hurricane from off shore, -suddenly sweeping up gigantic clouds of water by its sheer force of -velocity across the waves, and then suddenly emptying its sac of water -over the defenseless craft which bravely defied the storms, endeavored -to sink it. - -With the pouring out of its last vial of wrath the hurricane subsided, -and in half an hour all was quiet without: all but the shouting and -rushing of the sailors as they ran to and fro on their duties. With the -four in one small room, Elizabeth felt safer and was soon quieted. Then -when the vessel seemed to resume its untroubled course, she settled down -and fell asleep. Mrs. Courtney and the two girls who had been hurtled -into the room, left her and closed the door softly as they went out. - -"I am going to go out and see what can be seen," ventured Polly, but -Mrs. Courtney dissuaded her. - -"You may be in the way of the carrying out of the Captain's orders, -Polly. Better remain satisfied with going to the saloon. I expect to -find all the others there before us." - -Thence the three made their way, and true to predictions, the grown-ups -were assembled there talking over the narrow escape they had just had. - -"What time is it?" asked Eleanor of Tom Latimer. - -"It must be near dawn," added Polly, anxiously. - -"Well, it isn't," replied Tom, as he took out his watch. "I had not yet -taken off my coat and vest when this storm came upon us. I rushed out of -my room at the first blow and offered my services to the Captain, but he -had prepared, thank God! We wouldn't be talking over events now had he -not understood the forecast of the weather." - -Tom showed the two girls his watch and to their surprise they realized -that all had happened in less than twenty minutes. It was but just one -o'clock. - -"Then we ought to get back to bed and coax our beauty sleep to soothe -our nerves," laughed Mrs. Courtney. - -"So we shall, as soon as Shink sends in our hot malted milk. He claims -it will soothe any nerves--the way he can concoct it. I ordered him to -prepare a cauldronful for the crew, too, as they needed calming more -than any one I ever saw. Not from fear or nerves, but from doing the -work of ten times their number in order to keep us afloat." Mr. Dalken -seemed seriously thoughtful for a moment after he spoke, then he added: - -"I am the only one here who realizes the close call we had. The Captain -with his preventive measures before the storm broke, and the ready -obedience of his crew, saved us this night. Not only did we run foul of -one of the fiercest hurricanes that sweep over the sea at this latitude, -but we also managed to get under the deluge that broke when the -hurricane began to lose power and let go its hold on the great mass of -water it managed to hold aloft during its swift circling about our poor -little craft. - -"Thank God for that Swedish lad! Had it not been for his powerful muscle -in the moment of extremity, we would now be without a Captain. It all -happened so suddenly that no one had time to think. The sudden cloud -burst, or water spout, fell just as Captain Blake started to cross the -deck, and the volume of water would have carried him overboard but for -that young giant. Instead of thinking he acted. He threw an arm about -the brass bar and caught hold of the Captain's arm as he was washed past -him. With a grip like steel the rescuer managed to work his way, hand -over hand clutching to the water-washed rail, until he had reached -safety. - -"Well, such is the life of a sea-faring man!" concluded Mr. Dalken, as -he sat and thought of the past danger. - - - - -CHAPTER V--TOUCHING AT PALM BEACH - - -Before the White Crest reached her first port, which was Jacksonville, -Mr. Dalken must have regretted his invitation to his daughter Elizabeth -to become one of his party for the cruise. She had not only taken every -occasion to contradict her father when he made any statement, but she -sneered at all he said. Naturally this superior air from a young girl -deeply annoyed Polly and Eleanor who were Mr. Dalken's sworn allies; and -the friends who knew and admired their host without limitation, also -felt diffident at such times as Mr. Dalken was so rudely criticised. - -Said Eleanor to Polly one night before retiring: "If I were Dalky I'd -take Elizabeth to the express train going to New York and I'd ship her -home to her butterfly mother!" - -"It's one thing to say such a thing, but quite another matter to -accomplish it," returned Polly. - -"Well, anyway, we may find some way in which to leave her behind when we -touch at Jacksonville or Palm Beach." - -"Oh! Are we going to stop at Palm Beach?" exclaimed Polly. - -"Why, yes! Didn't you know? It was Elizabeth's coaxing that caused Dalky -to agree to stop over there to have dinner at the Ponce de Leon. Perhaps -we shall spend the evening there and return to the ship to sleep." - -"That's great! If Elizabeth should meet any of her New York friends at -the hotel she may prefer to remain," ventured Polly. - -"I'm hoping the same thing. If only we could hypnotize people we might -bring some one she likes right into her pathway," laughed Eleanor as she -jumped into bed. - -The following morning the yacht reached Jacksonville where Tom Latimer -was supposed to leave his friends and start back North. But John and -Anne Brewster were persuaded to remain on board with their friends till -they reached Palm Beach, hence Tom decided to remain too, and thence -accompany his bosom friend John back to New York. - -"If Tom insists upon dogging my every step as he has been doing on the -yacht, I don't see that I am going to have a good time," pouted Polly, -as she heard Eleanor's news that Tom would go on to Palm Beach. - -Eleanor laughed teasingly. "That's what a young girl gets for having a -beau who is daffy over her!" - -"But, Nolla," complained Polly, "it isn't my fault that Tom won't take a -broad hint to mind his own business!" - -"Perhaps he thinks this _is_ his business--the business of getting the -girl he has made up his mind to marry," declared Eleanor. - -"Well, then! You can just tell him from me, Nolla, that he is going -about it in exactly the wrong way to interest me in himself. A girl -hates to be tagged, just as a man loses interest in a girl who is -forever putting herself in his way to be noticed." - -"I'll tell him!" agreed Eleanor, laughingly. - -But it was not necessary that Eleanor warn Tom of his over-zealous -attentions to Polly, because a general surprise awaited the mariners -when the vessel docked. Not only did Eleanor find a telegram from her -father, in which he said that unexpected trouble at his bank kept him in -Chicago, and prevented his joining the happy friends on the White Crest, -but Mr. Dalken also found his ward, John Baxter, and his friend Raymond -Ames waiting to come aboard. Every one believed Jack to be in New York. - -"Well, well, boys, where did you hail from?" was Mr. Dalken's first -words as the two young men leaped upon the deck and ran to present -themselves. - -"Why, immediately after you sailed I met my friend Ray who was bound for -a position in Panama. Being so lonesome with all you friends away, it -took but little coaxing from him to persuade me to accompany him," -explained Jack. - -Even while the new-comers were being overwhelmed with questions from the -mariners, Mr. Dalken called a hasty council of war and discussed the -advisability of going ashore to see the town, or to continue on to Palm -Beach. It was unanimously decided that Jacksonville contained nothing of -interest to the sailors, the three guests just arrived, having seen all -they wanted to see at the city. Hence orders were given to pull up -anchor and sail away to the famous winter resort where all and sundry -kinds of sport might be found. - -With the coming of Jack and Ray on board the yacht, the girls showed -more life and interest in planning to pass the time. Tom felt so much -the senior of the two young men who now vied with him for Polly's -smiles, that he joined his chum John Brewster, and held aloof from the -younger members in the party. Not till Anne reminded him that he was -acting the same mistaken part he had played on board the ocean liner at -the time it docked at Quarantine in New York City, did he rouse himself -to look pleasant and agreeable when Polly danced and laughed with the -friends of her own age. - -The small damage done the yacht in the hurricane, which she had braved -and came out of the victor, was soon attended to by one of the mates who -had been a ship's carpenter before Mr. Dalken's alluring salary had -tempted him to join up on Captain Blake's crew. Long before the White -Crest arrived at Palm Beach the repairs had all been done and the craft -was looking as pert and fresh as any millionaire's vessel within a -radius of twenty miles of the Beach. - -Of all the merry-makers in that party of mariners not one cared very -much what food was served for dinner at the Ponce de Leon, but every one -did take a personal interest in the groups of young people, the life of -society at that gay season in Palm Beach, and the fun they expected to -get out of the visit to the fashionable hotel and the evening hours -spent on shore. - -Eleanor had hinted to Polly that it might be possible that Elizabeth -Dalken would find a number of society friends from New York at the -hotel, and so she did. - -Naturally they came buzzing about her, and, to impress her yachting -associates with her social prestige, she smiled sweetly upon the trio, -and accepted their invitation to go with them. Elizabeth did not deem it -necessary to ask her father's consent to leave his party and attach -herself to that of her newly-found friends from New York; neither did -she hesitate to go with them minus a proper chaperone, although she had -seemed very particular about criticising other girls who may have -overlooked Mrs. Grundy at times. - -As Mr. Dalken was not present in the group when Elizabeth took French -leave, and Mrs. Courtney was not asked about a chaperone for that -evening, the girl hurried away to enjoy herself as she saw best. Mr. -Dalken, returning soon after her departure, seemed amazed that she had -gone, but he said nothing at the time and immediately turned his full -attention to the entertainment of his guests. - -Polly and Eleanor had insisted that the younger members in the party -dress in their very best. This called for Mrs. Courtney and her elderly -friends to dress up to the standard set by the girls. And this, -naturally, compelled the men to give more attention to their evening -clothes and general appearances than they might have done without this -spur from the ladies. Hence it happened that not a single unit of gay -persons at dinner that night in the magnificent hotel could surpass the -appearances of Mr. Dalken's party. As he remarked later: - -"It was to be expected of such an extraordinary bouquet of beautiful -females as I conducted from my yacht. Others might have shown costlier -jewels and handsomer gowns but not one could compete with my flowers -where beauty was the test." - -As it mattered little at what hour the passengers went back to the -yacht, they made the most of this gay evening on shore. John and Anne -Brewster were to leave the party the next day and start back to New York -for a week before returning to Pebbly Pit Ranch. And Tom Latimer, now -that Polly expected to be away from New York for many months, felt -inclined to accompany his friends back to his work at Choko Mines. -Perhaps it was his salvation that Polly decided to take this cruise, -otherwise he may never have found courage or inclination enough to go -back to his mining interests. - -Having danced herself breathless, Polly finally consented to hear Anne's -whispered suggestion that she leave a few moments to Tom before he got -mad and walked back home. With a little laugh Polly sent Jack Baxter a -sorry look and told him to go find Elizabeth for a dancing partner. - -"But I'd rather dance with you, Polly. What is Mrs. Brewster saying to -you that makes you look so remorseful?" replied he. - -"I'm telling Polly of a very urgent duty, Jack, and you know, as well as -I, that you must not monopolize _all_ her time this evening," retorted -Anne. - -"Well, seeing that I am going to be one of the passengers on Dalky's -yacht for a long time, I believe I _will_ release Polly to Tom for a -short time," remarked Jack in a casual tone. - -"Oh! You are not really going on the yacht, are you?" exclaimed Polly. - -"Why? Do you object to my company?" demanded Jack. - -"Oh, no! It will be lots livelier with Ray and you on board. But no one -has mentioned it before, so I naturally thought you and Ray were here -for a short visit at the Beach, then planned to go back to New York to -continue your studies," explained Polly. - -"Well, I'll tell you," said Jack in a thoughtful manner, "I've convinced -Dalky that the great mining interests of the Argentine need my personal -investigation. You must not forget that a great deal of my fortune is -invested in mining shares in South America; and these mining companies -have their central offices at Buenos Aires. Dalky can tell you that a -visit to these brokers, now and then, makes them sit up and take notice -of you. Otherwise they might ignore your dividends, you see." - -Anne jeered at such an explanation for Jack's hurried decision to visit -South America. "I can safely vouch for your remaining in the United -States, were it not for the fact that you find a bevy of pretty girls on -your guardian's yacht too alluring for you to renounce. You plan to get -the most fun out of this cruise and then go your way, leaving a string -of broken hearts behind you. That is the reputation you have, I find." -Anne laughed as she shook a finger at Jack. - -"My reputation for drawing and then breaking hearts can never reach the -championship winner and breaker that Polly is. Who can ever ignore that -European tour when the subject of hearts is being discussed?" Jack shook -his head in pretended sorrow for those rejected suitors on the "Other -Side." - -Polly made an impatient sound with the tip of her tongue against her -white little teeth, and Jack laughed. - -"Just for that I am going without a single word of regret for the dances -I promised you and now withhold," said Polly, turning and running away -to join the group sitting under a great palm on the balcony. - -Here she found Tom moodily talking with John. But the moment Polly -touched him on the shoulder and said: "Are we going for a little walk on -the beach?" he brightened up wonderfully. - -Polly felt that she owed Tom this short time before he would have to -return west on his mining work. Also she felt that she had treated him -too sternly in punishment of his short-comings. Of course, Tom had no -idea that Polly considered his slavish attentions as short-comings. - -As the two sauntered away from the hotel and turned in the direction of -the marvellous beach, Polly began the conversation by remarking, in a -cool, mature manner: "Now don't go and talk of bosh, Tom, just because I -invited you for a stroll." - -"What do you mean by bosh?" demanded Tom, ready with a chip on his -shoulder. - -"Oh, pooh! You know what I mean--your soft talk of love. I just won't -listen to it morning, and night, and at every moment of the day. You are -the dandiest pal with Nolla and Ruth and Nancy--why not with me?" - -Tom wisely held his peace. He could have answered in his own way, but he -knew that would call forth a new tirade against his ideas of possession. -Not having a reply from her escort with which to continue the argument, -Polly found herself shut up on the subject. And wisely she, too, -launched out upon an entirely opposite topic. - -"Some one told Dalky not to stop at Hayti because the natives were so -treacherous to white folks," remarked Polly. "I did so want to see the -Island we hear so much about. I've read of the voodoo religion, and the -way the sacred snake charmers strike terror into the souls of their -congregations, and I'd love to see them." - -"I think Dalken is absolutely right in not taking chances with you girls -in landing at Hayti. Morally the Haytians are not to be trusted. All the -old superstitions of barbaric Africa prevail to such an extent that no -right-minded person wishes to visit there. I am surprised, Polly, that -you can entertain the least desire to see what every one knows to be a -deplorable condition of affairs." Tom spoke in a fatherly way that -caused Polly to smile, but he did not see her face. Perhaps he would not -have continued in the same strain had he thought she was amused instead -of being advised. - -"Yes, Hayti is an unsafe place for civilized women to go to; not only do -the authorities ignore the rights of a people under their government, -but they seem to have no regard for human lives. I recently read an -article in a magazine in which it stated that one unfortunate -circumstance about Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was its convenience -to Hayti--all the escaping criminals and refugees from justice jumped -aboard a sailing craft and in a few hours were landed upon the shores of -that beautiful isle whence they could not be taken except through -extradition papers." - -"How intensely thrilling to me is all this political information. I'm -sure I shall never wish to see a voodoo service after hearing you speak -of government and politics," laughed Polly. - -Tom now turned and stared at the girl. Was she in earnest about saying -she cared nothing for Hayti now, or was she ridiculing his advices? To -keep her companion in doubt as to her motive, Polly changed the subject -again. - -"I shall delight in visiting Jamaica, and Porto Rico, perhaps the -Barbados, before we go through the Panama Canal. Dalky says that, should -it be impossible for a stop at the Barbados on our way down to South -America, he will see that the Captain surely stops there on our return. -Have you any warnings to give concerning the natives of the Caribbean -Isles?" - -"I don't know a thing about them! I never visited Hayti, you know, but I -merely told you what learned and wise men say of it." Tom's tone was not -very sweet, and Polly realized that her last words had offended his -sensitive heart. - -"Let's talk of Pebbly Pit and Choko's Mine," said she with forced joyous -anticipation in her voice. She felt sure she knew all that Tom would say -in order to prove to her that she ought to marry him and live out on the -ranch with her family. This time Tom disappointed her, however. - -"I have nothing new to tell you about Pebbly Pit, because you know as -well as I do that I have been in New York too long to be able to speak -of what may be taking place out on the ranch. But one thing I can speak -of, and even that is not yours or my business, I suppose, and that is -the queer triangle on board the White Crest--do you get me?" - -"A triangle! No, I do not get you, Tom. What is it?" - -"Well, then, I know just as well as if you had told me, that Nolla and -you are match-making between Dalky and Mrs. Courtney. And I might add, -that I can advise you to watch your step, but of course, you will throw -back your head and give me a glance of disdain, hence I will not warn -you. This much I can say, nevertheless, and that is: Look out for -Elizabeth Dalken, if you think Nolla and you can pull little Cupid's bow -and arrows to suit yourselves. You've got the third angle of the -proposition when you have Elizabeth with whom to reckon. She is worldly -wise and she won't hesitate to use every bit of knowledge she possesses -to thwart such a scheme for her father." - -Polly looked serious. "Did you really guess that much? How did you do -it, when Nolla and I have been models of discretion? Not even Dalky or -Mrs. Courtney, or the Fabians dream of the match." - -"Maybe it is because I am so miserably in love myself, that I -intuitively feel for any one else who may be in the same boat." - -Tom's tone and hopeless manner caused Polly intense amusement though she -managed to hide the fact from him. However, she was in earnest now, -regarding this matter about the matchmaking, and she wanted to get Tom's -valuable suggestions on the matter. - -"Well," returned Tom to her anxious questioning, "one always gets into -hot water when matchmaking between two persons, especially if those two -have had a taste of matrimonial troubles. But I know Nolla and you well -enough to see that you will not give up a pet plan until you are driven -to desperation over its failure. With Elizabeth Dalken to frustrate -every tete-a-tete, or other plans to throw these two mature hoped-for -lovers together, what will you do? Either come out boldly and show your -cards, or call that girl's bluff, or in some way be the means of -shipping her back home." - -"Well, how can we call her bluff when she won't admit us to her -confidence?" asked Polly, eagerly. - -"Watch opportunities! But it will be easier to ship her back home, if -you can get her deeply interested in an objective in going north and -allowing you-all to continue your voyage." - -"Show me the objective and I'll do it! She's getting on everybody's -nerves, as it is. And I verily believe that Dalky is heartily sorry he -had her come," declared Polly. - -"One objective would be to induce her to remain at Palm Beach, now that -she is here with friends, and get her father to give her a sufficient -inducement in cash to tear herself away from the yacht and the -prospective voyage. Another objective might be Jack Baxter. She knows he -is enormously wealthy, and it is her sole aim and ambition to marry a -fortune and a good family name. She would get both in Baxter, but I -doubt if Jack would fall for her. However, if he could be induced to -pose as a cavalier, and cut short his trip to South America, I'm sure -the girl would follow--providing she had a satisfactory chaperone to give -the entire proceeding Mother Grundy's approval." - -Polly frowned down both of the propositions. "She won't remain at Palm -Beach because she has been here too often to have it afford her any -novelty now. On the other hand we can't expect Jack Baxter to place his -head upon the block for execution, just to please us in ridding -ourselves of the girl. Why, Elizabeth might claim Jack as a suitor, and -then drive poor Jack to desperate steps in order to show he is a -gentleman!" - -While they were discussing such weighty matters the two had turned and -were walking back again in the direction of the hotel. Neither one had -seen the moonlight on the sea, nor had they realized that they had -strolled across the hard beach and back again--so full of plans were they -over the little plot for happiness for their two good friends. Now they -came to the Palm Walk again. - -"Where _have_ you two been?" demanded Eleanor, impatiently. - -"We've spent half an hour looking for you. Dalky wants us to find -Elizabeth and start back for the yacht," added Nancy Fabian. - -"We will have no trouble in starting for the yacht, but to find -Elizabeth is quite a different matter," laughed Tom. - -John Brewster now came over to Tom and spoke. "Anne and I are going to -pack our bags and come back on shore to-night, as Dalken says the -Captain wishes to resume the voyage early in the morning. I thought you -would want to get your bag, too, and come back with us. If you prefer -remaining here, Anne says she can pack the suitcase and spare you the -trip." - -"No, thank you! I'll go with you and see as much of Polly as I can, -before leaving her to sail away with no certain future for me in it!" -exclaimed Tom, positively. John smiled. - -The bell-boys having sought about quickly in every direction of the -hotel and gardens returned, one by one, with the reply that Miss -Elizabeth Dalken failed to respond to their calls. Mr. Dalken tipped -each page as he reported to him, and then turned to his friends. -"There's nothing for it, but that I hunt her up myself, and permit you -to go on to the yacht alone. I'll come as soon as I locate my daughter." - -Polly caught a sympathetic glance from Mrs. Courtney's eye in the -direction of the troubled host, then the guests accepted the inevitable -and left the man to seek Elizabeth in every niche and corner of the vast -resort. - -As the group of guests from the White Crest got near to the wharf where -they had left the yacht, they were astonished to see the craft gone. -They looked at each other and then all around to reassure themselves -that they were not dreaming. A young colored night watchman on the dock -saw the wondering expressions on their faces and spoke up. - -"You-all a-lookin' foh dat white yacht from Noo Yoork?" - -"Yes, my boy; what can you tell us about it?" asked Mr. Ashby. - -"Why, not much; onny, 'bout a nour ago, 'long comes a fine pert missy -wid a lot of swells, an' dey gits on bo'hd. Den de skippeh what was lef -to watch the boat, comes off a'fumin' mad, an' says he's goin' to see -'bout dat! I heah's him say somefin not werry nice to free er four dudes -lef' on deck, but dey laffs and waves a han', so off he goes threatenin' -to get the boss on de job to onct! Fust ting I knows, the yacht up and -sails away. I watches, 'cuz I got a stay on dis dock till mawnin' and -keep an eye on decency, an' sure 'nuff, dat boat goes dancing off down -coast. Lots of likker at a certain port dere, yuh see, and swells heah -takes a trip down ebery onct in a while." - -"And you haven't seen a sign of the yacht since then?" demanded Mr. -Ashby, red hectic spots suddenly coming to his cheeks as symbols of his -ire at such high-handed treatment of his friend. - -"Beggin' yur pawdon, suh, but I knows two of dem dudes, an' I doubts if -dey kin sail that yacht back straight to-night, if dey gets what dey -sets out foh gittin. F'om all I heah said, dey went foh jus' such a -time." - -At this disturbing information, Mr. Ashby joined the negro for a moment -and at his advice, turned and said: "Fabian, I'm going back for Dalken, -but what had you-all better do meantime?" Mr. Ashby seemed anxious to -meet his friend before he should come to the dock and learn the news -from others. - -"We will wait here for orders. The yacht may come in while you are gone, -and in that case we will try to straighten out matters, and see that -Elizabeth's friends get quickly out of the way of her father's righteous -indignation." - -The moment Mr. Ashby left, Mrs. Courtney went over to the mulatto youth -and spoke in a low voice. He replied in a tone too low to be heard by -any one but the lady with him. Then she slipped him some money and -returned to her own party. - -"I learned that no older woman was in the party with Elizabeth, but a -young divorcee and the several men who seemed past forty. I had judged -from Elizabeth's uncompromising attitude to us in our disregard to -little matters concerning dinner dress and social nothings, that she -would have been most strict and careful in such a delicate situation as -this which she has brought about." - -Mr. Ashby had secured the names of the ports where those with enough -money might secure liquor in spite of the dry laws, and it was his plan -to hire the fastest car to be had and drive Dalken along the shore until -they found the yacht and the runaways. - -In telling the story to his friend, Mr. Ashby purposely shielded -Elizabeth by making it appear that she was misled by her friends. But -Mr. Dalken was not to be hoodwinked. He was an experienced man of the -world, and he understood present-day flapperdom perfectly. - -"Why take an automobile when we might get a launch and go on their -track? I'm sure the launch would prove best, and it may be possible to -find a large enough power launch to accommodate our party. Then we need -not return to this hateful place. We can ship back the society cads in -the launch and go on our way as planned." Mr. Dalken seemed to consider -the case with more coolness and sense than his friend had done. - -"What about John and Anne and Tom? They expected to go ashore here, -after getting their bags. And how about the crew?" - -"John and Anne and Tom can leave us at Miami as well as at Palm Beach. -As for the crew; the Captain's orders were for every man to be on hand -at the yacht at twelve. It is now past the time, and doubtless they will -be waiting on the dock," explained Mr. Dalken, having looked at his -watch and then slipped it back into his pocket. - -As predicted, the crew were all at the dock, standing in small groups; -the Captain stood with Mr. Fabian, wondering what would be the outcome -of this escapade. Mr. Dalken seemed perfectly cool and self-possessed as -he called to the Captain. - -"Get a craft at once--large enough to take us all. You understand, -Captain Blake, that price is nothing now!" - -The same negro youth, who had been the informer in the first place, now -spoke up. "I knows whar you-all kin hire a fine big gaserline launch--my -boss rents it out ebery day. I kin sen' yuh dere." - -Giving Captain Blake minute directions to find the boat which was not -far off, the negro gladly pocketed another windfall of money from the -owner of the White Crest. - -In less than twenty minutes the launch came alongside the wharf and its -owner stepped out. "It's the quickest and safest boat in Florida. Many's -the trip I takes to Havana during the season." - -Thus the weary party gladly got into the launch, and its owner started -on the way to seek for and find the White Crest. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--MR. DALKEN'S PATERNAL TRAINING - - -Conversing pleasantly, and smoking one cigar after another, Mr. Dalken -offered no cause for one to think he was boiling within, or that he was -contemplating a severe correction for his daughter Elizabeth. But Mr. -Ashby knew him so well that he would have felt more at ease had his -friend expressed a little impatience and annoyance at the unexpected -trick played by the girl. - -The men in the party sat with the owner who drove the great launch -through the calm waters, but ever and anon he swerved suddenly to avoid, -as he said, reefs of coral hidden by the wavelets. He skirted the coast -because they needed to keep a watchful lookout for the yacht which might -have anchored at one of the many tiny inlets along the shore, where -bootleggers thrived during the great social season in the South. - -The yacht's crew sat in the stern of the boat, but the ladies were -comfortably at rest in the small saloon. There was but one absorbing -thought and subject for them: what would be Elizabeth's punishment when -her father could judge her heedless act? - -After stopping at several small ports, where it seemed likely they would -find the White Crest at anchor with other crafts from the winter -resorts, the owner of the launch remarked to Captain Blake: - -"If they went to Satan's Kitchen, they must'a had some wise birds along. -Only the old hands dare go there and get their drinks. And the stuff is -rank pizen, at that! Nuthin' but liquid fire. Two or three young fools -got knocked out by taking this bootlegger's vile whiskey, and one feller -cashed in his checks." - -The Captain made no reply, but it was not necessary. - -"Satan's Kitchen is a coupla miles in an inlet what dips in from the -shore line at Delray. We won't be able to see the yacht from outside, -but that's whar we're bound to find the runaways, I'm thinking." - -"All right--drive in and we'll soon know," ordered Mr. Dalken, taking -command for the first time since leaving Palm Beach. - -Shortly after this the launch made a graceful curve and chugged -carefully through shallow waters until it came to the narrow inlet -mentioned by the captain of the boat. Having gone a very short distance -inside this inlet, those on deck soon saw the White Crest anchored near -a strip of glistening sandy beach. A rough pier of old planks ran out to -the deep water in order to accommodate those who wished to land. Here -the launch stopped. - -"No, take us to the yacht. I wish to see my guests safely on board my -own boat, and the crew in their places. Then if the other party is still -on shore you may carry me back to this pier," commanded Mr. Dalken. - -Without any confusion or other sound than the subdued chug of the engine -of the launch, the transfer of the party was made. Only the few sailors -who had been left on the yacht that evening were found on board, so Mr. -Dalken got back into the launch and was about to start for the pier when -Mrs. Courtney urged Mr. Ashby to go with him. - -"You see, no one can tell what may happen in such a place as this -Satan's Kitchen. Dalky is cool now, but what may he be should he find -cause for chastising the men who dared to plan this runaway?" - -Therefore, without asking his friend's consent, Mr. Ashby jumped back -into the launch and the boat started away. Those left on board the yacht -learned that the Captain had orders to start out at once, and wait about -half a mile off the shore. The launch would pick up the yacht there and -transfer the owner and his friend. - -To the anxious group of friends on the yacht it seemed that a long time -had elapsed before they could hear the chugging of the returning launch, -but in reality it was hardly half an hour from the time that Mr. Dalken -and his friend Ashby had left the White Crest before they returned. -Elizabeth Dalken was with them, but not a sign of any one of her -companions on the recent excursion was to be seen. - -Elizabeth, in moody silence, ran up the steps and went directly to her -room. Mr. Dalken paid the owner of the launch and said in a tone that -carried its own pointed meaning: "You comprehend that I am paying you -for the hire of this craft until noon to-morrow?" - -[Illustration: ELIZABETH, IN MOODY SILENCE, RAN UP THE STEPS.] - -"I get you, Boss," returned the man, bowing seriously. "Anyway, even if -you were not so generous in your pay, I have no likings for such -passengers who know better but act like sots." - -"All right. Start back for Palm Beach. I'll follow in your wake." So -saying Mr. Dalken stepped aboard his own craft and waved the owner of -the launch to proceed northward on his return trip. - -Mr. Ashby said not a word of explanation to the curious friends waiting -on deck, but Mr. Dalken spoke freely as if they were entitled to the -story. - -"We found just about the sort of scene as I expected to see at that den. -Those men in the party, easily ten years my senior, only used the -hare-brained divorcee and the younger girls as a means to obtain their -end--that of running my yacht to the place where they knew they could get -all the vile liquor they craved. Once there, they never gave a thought -as to how their companions might fare. Hence I took my girl and left -them to work it out as they saw best. There is no trolley or other -transportation method of leaving the place, other than by boat or -automobile, and of the latter there was none to be hired. I may have -been a bit severe on the other young women in the party, but they should -have taken all favorable conditions into consideration before they -consented to run away with another man's valuable property, in order to -satisfy an abnormal curiosity about a notorious locality. I am thankful -to say that I have saved _my_ property from the scandal which would be -sure to follow on the heels of a scrape such as those men I saw at -Satan's Kitchen are certain to rouse at one of their orgies. Now, -however, it will be necessary for me to return to Palm Beach and prove -that my yacht and my friends were anchored at the wharf till morning, -and that Elizabeth and I were at the hotel at the dance." - -Mr. Dalken excused himself after concluding his explanation, and went to -his daughter's room to escort her to the hotel. - -The interested colored man who had given Mr. Dalken the valuable -information regarding the men who had taken possession of the White -Crest without the owner's consent or knowledge, now watched curiously as -Mr. Dalken and his daughter left the craft and walked in the direction -of the hotel. - -The crowds were already thinning out on the ball-room floor, but enough -representatives of society still remained to dance to the last note of -the orchestra. As fortune had it, one of Mr. Dalken's well-known friends -and his family was present and saw the financier as soon as he stepped -upon the floor to dance with Elizabeth. - -"There's Dalken and his daughter--remember we had him to dinner in -Washington when I first took my Seat?" whispered the gentleman to his -wife. - -A reporter for a New York paper stood near and overheard the remark. -Instantly he made a note of it and drew nearer to his source of -information. He heard the Representative speak of the White Crest and -the cruise, and he decided to look up the yacht and its owner in the -morning. - -Not a word was spoken between Mr. Dalken and his daughter after they -left the hotel and boarded the yacht. No one was in sight on deck and -the owner accompanied Elizabeth to her room and went in behind her. Then -he closed the door and turned to have a word with her. - -He spoke tenderly at first, but she ignored him completely and refused -to answer his questions. Finally he said sternly: "Elizabeth, I wish you -to answer my questions in regard to this escapade." - -"Well, I don't care if you do! I do not have to speak to you unless I -wish to!" snapped she. - -"I am your father, and I represent your guardian in the law. I am -responsible, to a certain extent, for all your wrong-doings, hence I -demand that you tell me how you came to go to that vile den where I -found you with those despicable men." - -Elizabeth stared defiantly at her father, then she remarked: "You may -demand, but I do not need to reply." - -Mr. Dalken then tried to show her what a risk she had taken in going to -a place where a murder or other crime was apt to happen at any moment if -one of the habitues became too drunk to control himself. - -Elizabeth narrowed her eyelids and looked at her father in a manner that -reminded him unpleasantly of her mother whenever she had been cornered -in a scandalous situation. Then the girl spoke drawlingly. - -"You are such a fossil when it comes to social matters! Why, there isn't -a girl I know who would not give her head to have been in my shoes -to-night. But how can you know that two of those men are the finest -catches of the season. Henri Aspinwall is a multi-millionaire from South -America, and James Stickney is one from New York. I had both of them at -my feet this evening, and then you came to ruin my prospects of a -proposal!" Elizabeth actually wept tears of mortification at her -father's untimely appearance in Satan's Kitchen. - -Mr. Dalken gasped in sheer unbelief. "Do you mean to say you _knew_ -those two men? Did you know they were divorced by their wives for their -disreputable living?" - -"How silly you are! Reputations are nothing in these liberal times, -because divorce is so convenient. Those two men have money and the most -charming personalities. That is why their wives can't live with -them--they are generally so shabby looking and are fiercely jealous of -the attentions paid their husbands by appreciative women. Naturally, men -like Henri or James are too popular for their fogy wives, hence the -divorces, you know!" - -"Why, Elizabeth, you are positively shocking! I cannot believe you are -not yet twenty and my own child! Where have you acquired all this -nightmare of experience in such things?" Mr. Dalken's voice trembled -with emotion over the girl's short-comings. - -"Really, father, one might think _you_ were a saint, from the way you -are trying to preach to me!" sneered Elizabeth. - -"Far be it from me to pose as a saint, but at least I know I am a -clean-minded man, and I demand that my daughter act as a young lady -should, while she is in my charge," was Mr. Dalken's stern reply. - -"I suppose you would invite me to model my behavior after such country -clods as Miss Brewster, or take for my example such flippant nobodies as -Eleanor Maynard from Chicago?" scorned Elizabeth, tossing her head. -"Why, I knew them both at school in New York, and I must say that not a -girl in society would deign to cast a glance at either of them now. They -are absolutely too impossible to stand on any rung of the social ladder, -and not even the commonest plane of society in New York would consider -them." - -"I am ashamed to hear you say so. It goes to prove how low the social -standard has fallen. In fact, I may add, that the standard of a once -decent period must have been dragged through the mire, of late times, to -present such views as you entertain as its highest aspirations." Mr. -Dalken's words were cutting and Elizabeth resented them. - -"Well, I am sorry to remind you, sir, that men who can shamelessly turn -their backs upon the obligations of a wife and daughter and go after -such women as you prefer to call your friends, are the very ones who -smirch society's fair standard and then stand up and denounce it as -having fallen." - -Sheer astonishment and shocked soul of Mr. Dalken kept him silent after -Elizabeth concluded her statement. Finding he failed to reply, she added -sarcastically: - -"If my dear mother but knew the type of woman she might have to call her -successor to such marital felicity as you deprived _her_ of when she -called herself Mrs. Dalken, she would not concern herself to save you -from such a degradation!" - -Finally Mr. Dalken found his powers of speech. "What under the sun are -you driving at, you little vixen!" - -Elizabeth tossed her head and laughed a harsh, cold laugh. "How innocent -we are, eh, Dad? To hear you _now_, and to see you with Mrs. Courtney -when others are about one would say you two were not enjoying the -tete-a-tetes she so wisely plans for you. But how can one expect -anything otherwise? You left mother in order to live your life of -selfish pleasure, and this woman turned her back on her husband and her -own country, because she could no longer appear in decent society in -London, and now it seems quite natural for you two to find mutual -consolation in the companionship of each other. Poor Mamma!" - -As Elizabeth spoke, Mr. Dalken got upon his feet and stood with head -held high. The moment she had concluded, she glanced spitefully up at -him, but his expression cowed her for a moment. When he found his voice -he said coldly, but with dire meaning for the girl: - -"You will see to it that your luggage is ready to leave this yacht in -the morning. You may return to New York to your 'poor mamma' as soon as -possible, and tell her that no further allowances are to be expected -from me, and henceforth no machinations from her will be allowed to be -tried on me. I shall call upon the law to defend me from future attacks, -both personally and in every other way. I will bid you good-morning, -Elizabeth, and I will look for you directly after breakfast." With that -Mr. Dalken left the girl alone. - -"Well, thank heavens, he is gone!" grumbled Elizabeth to herself, as the -door closed upon her father's heels. Then she calmly removed her lovely -gown and threw it upon the floor and suddenly stamped upon it. Such a -squall of temper in one who, a moment before had seemed calm, was -surprising. - -"The nasty wasp! How I hate her sweet smile and honeyed words. As if she -could fool me with her acting! Why, not a woman I know pretends to be so -gracious and altogether wonderful as that horrid Courtney!" But -Elizabeth failed to take into consideration that, when one lived in -earnest, no acting could seem as real as the genuine thing. - -"Well, I shall be well rid of this Sunday-school group!" continued the -girl, as she sat down and pulled off her satin slippers and beautiful, -embroidered, silk stockings. "Once I get my things off the yacht and am -located in one of the nice suites at the Hotel, I shall lay my plans for -the conquest of James Stickney. Oh, won't mother squeal with joy when -she hears of my conquest! To be Mrs. Stickney and spend his money will -be worth all the dreadful days I have had to waste on board this boat!" - -Thus, as she disrobed and prepared for bed, Elizabeth smiled even while -she planned her social campaign at Palm Beach during the time which -would elapse until she heard from her mother. - -But Elizabeth never dreamed of the actual plan she would be compelled to -accept on the morrow. She had no idea that her father meant exactly what -he had said when he threatened never to contribute more to her -ease-loving support and the monthly bills which seemed beyond all reason -to him. Hitherto he had paid all accounts without a protest. - -Had she dreamed that she was to be packed off for New York under the -chaperonage of Anne Brewster and her husband, with no opportunity to -send word to her friends at Palm Beach, and without a dollar in her -pocket with which to wire her mother of her ignominious treatment--such -it was in her estimation--she might have tried to escape that very night. - -Not long after nine o'clock in the morning, therefore, Mr. Dalken was -asked to see the reporter and tell him such items of personal news as -would interest the readers of the New York daily. Contrary to precedent, -Mr. Dalken invited the man to breakfast with him while he told him a -long story. How he was taking this cruise with his intimate friends for -a rest and his health. How he had persuaded his daughter to accompany -them as far as Palm Beach, and how he danced with her even to the last -waltz at the hotel. Then he spoke regretfully of how she would have to -return to New York that day, as social interests could not spare her for -a continued cruise. "Oh, yes! Of course she will be accompanied on the -journey. Our very dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Brewster, part owners in -Choko Gold Mines, you know, are also going North with their friend, Mr. -Latimer. I had all I could do to get these three friends to come as far -as Palm Beach with us. Now they and my daughter cannot give us another -day." - -"The rumor got started in some strange way that a party of undesirable -guests at the hotel captured your yacht and daughter and sailed away to -Satan's Kitchen last night," ventured the reporter. "Did you know of the -escapade, or were they back before you found it out?" - -"My dear fellow! Of what _are_ you speaking? I can prove conclusively -that we arrived at the hotel in time for dinner and that we remained -until the very last dance. Why, I met an old friend in the ball-room -just as I was about to leave. Members of my party left at different -times during the evening, but they are free to go and come as they -choose while we are on this cruise, you know." - -Mr. Dalken was all guileless confidence with the reporter and that -worthy felt sure the report had been started as a bit of scandal in high -life. Then his host suddenly seemed to remember an item which might -explain such a sorry story. - -"Perhaps that twisted version of the matter started because we had -planned to sail away after midnight, leaving the four in my party to go -back to New York to-day. But they all remained dancing to such an hour -that it seemed absurd for any one to pack their bags and leave the yacht -at that hour, so I advised all to sleep late and the yacht would wait -till at dawn as had been planned. - -"You see, my friends heartily enjoyed the hospitality of your -magnificent hotels to such an extent that they are all fast asleep in -their rooms. I am the only early bird on deck this morning, but then I -only danced a _few_ dances with my daughter just before the orchestra -said good-night." - -The reporters smiled politely and secured a few treasured items of -social interest regarding the dances Mr. Dalken preferred, and the hour -he left the ball-room with his friends, and anything else he might care -to tell them for publication. - -He shook his head. "Nothing happens when one sails on a friendly little -voyage with choice companions--that is, anything of interest to society; -because no one in my party belongs to society and we never bother about -its concerns. But, my dear young men, I am now deeply concerned in -getting off on our cruise, and you must really excuse me from continued -conversation, unless you care to be carried to Havana with us." - -The reporters, having secured all the information they were after, -obediently bid their host good-morning and left the yacht. Once they -were safely out of the way, Mr. Dalken had the chef serve breakfast on -deck for those who would get up and eat. - -John and Anne Brewster, Tom Latimer and Polly, and Mrs. Courtney were -the only ones to respond to the call. The former three guests were -dressed for travel, and Polly was up in order to say a last goodby to -her family members and to Tom. Mrs. Courtney was an early riser no -matter what time she went to sleep and she now seemed as bright and -fresh as if she had had the usual quota of sleep instead of but four -hours at the dawning of the day. - -Immediately after breakfast Mr. Dalken gave Anne a sealed letter and -said impressively: "Now remember, my dear Mrs. Brewster, to follow all -my instructions to the letter, whether Elizabeth wishes it or not. She -is still in my charge, even though I appoint you a deputy to guard her -till she is placed safely in her mother's care once more. I do not -anticipate any rebellion before she reaches New York, but she may decide -to bolt once she finds herself on familiar ground again. However, I made -it quite plain to her last night, that she is the arbiter of her own -future if she disobeys me in one least thing after being placed in your -care." - -Thus Polly learned to her amazement that Elizabeth was destined to leave -the yacht and return in disgrace to her mother. But the news did not -cause any regret, rather did it make her rejoice that dear Dalky would -be freed from such a thorn in his side for the rest of the trip. - -Mrs. Courtney maintained an inscrutable expression that defied Polly's -reading of her thoughts. Whether she had known of this plan to send -Elizabeth back to New York when Anne Brewster went, or whether the news -surprised her even as it had Polly, could not be said. But Polly met -Tom's eyes and saw a gleam of relief there. - -The breakfast ended and a member of the crew who had been despatched on -shore to ascertain exactly when the Washington Express would leave, now -came on deck and saluted. He handed his employer a paper, and Mr. Dalken -turned to John and Tom. - -"The car is waiting at the end of the pier. I'll get my daughter and -place her in your charge, then escort you all to the automobile." - -Turning to the sailor, he added: "Jim, did the trunk get off all right?" - -"Yes'sa, an' I expressed it, myself, straight through to Noo York, sa." - -"Very good. Now wait at the foot of the steps till we come." - -Mr. Dalken went away and Polly turned to Mrs. Courtney. - -"Don't you think it will be more agreeable for Dalky if we are not here -when he comes back with Elizabeth?" - -"Yes, Polly, I agree with you. We will say our goodbys now, friends, and -hurry away from here," replied Mrs. Courtney. - -The farewells were not prolonged, therefore, and Tom found he was -short-circuited in his plans to have a lover's tete-a-tete with the girl -he adored so devotedly. John and Anne had their good hugs and kisses -from Polly, and then she turned quickly to Tom and extended her hand. - -"Goodby, Tom, old friend. Take good care of Anne and see that she -doesn't worry herself to a frazzle over Elizabeth Dalken and her social -tricks." With a hasty shake of his hand, Tom found Polly was running -away to the rear end of the yacht where she could enter without coming -face to face with any one coming from the main door. - -Mrs. Courtney had said her farewells and was following Polly when Mr. -Dalken came from the door which opened to the saloon. Elizabeth was -closely veiled and dressed in a plain tailormade suit. Without a spoken -word to any one she went directly to the stairs that led down to the -wharf. The other four adults followed her and soon all were seated in -the waiting limousine. - -Polly could not help peeping out from her retreat at the back entrance -to the companionway, and when she saw the automobile drive away she -sighed with relief. "There go the two troubles of my life--one whom I -despise, and one whom I am not sure about adoring or hating!" - -From this honest confession of Polly's it can be readily surmised that -she was not head over heels in love with Tom. - -In less than half an hour's time Mr. Dalken came on board his yacht -again and immediately gave orders to sail. Even as the Captain obeyed -and placed the distance of a rod or so between the craft and the pier, a -sprinting reporter reached the wharf to take a snap-shot of the White -Crest. - -Mr. Dalken watched him with grim satisfaction. He then murmured to -himself: "Well, that's all _you_ got out of your run!" - -Later he remarked casually to Polly and Mrs. Courtney, when they -happened to be alone after luncheon: "Our friends just caught the -Express as it was about to pull out. The conductor saw us making for it -and he very obligingly held up the train a moment. Naturally, no one was -present to interview us about this hasty departure for the North, and -only one solitary reporter saw me returning in the car. He failed to -reach me in time!" - -But their host did not add that he had used every influence possible to -insure the success of his plan: to reach the train at the very minute of -departure, and then see his daughter off before she could get in touch -with any friends at Palm Beach. The conductor exchanged a friendly but -knowing look with the financier as the four travelers boarded the train, -and Mr. Dalken stood watching it pull out. - -"Well, children, now we're off on the second lap of our adventures," -laughingly called Mr. Dalken, as he waited in vain for a remark to his -last statement. His happy tone then brought forth glad and eager -questionings as to Cuba, Hayti, and the other Isles of the West Indies. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--THE HAVANA RACE COURSE - - -As the yacht danced on its way to Havana, the voyagers began to take a -renewed interest in the cruise. At first the departure of four of the -party caused a dignified silence, particularly as Elizabeth Dalken's -going had been brought about by her recent disgrace and her father's -intense displeasure. It created rather an uncomfortable feeling when the -guests all went on deck that noon. - -John Baxter and his chum decided that this atmosphere must be dispelled -immediately, hence they began their self-appointed task and soon had -every one merry and eager to forget the unpleasantness of the previous -night's experience. - -Havana proved to be a great fund of excitement and fun for the young -members in the party; John Baxter had spent several weeks in that -hospitable city and knew just where to go and what to see, hence the day -was given to every kind of sightseeing. That evening Jack returned his -party to the yacht, and proposed another visit to the city on the -morrow. Mr. Dalken listened. - -"They're going to have one of their famous horse races at the big course -to-morrow, Dalky, and I told your guests that it would be well worth -seeing. Even if they do not bet on the horses, they will enjoy seeing -the stunts the natives do in order to get in first. Let's tie up to this -wharf until to-morrow night, instead of going on our way to-night." - -As the vote showed the majority were inclined to stop over for the -races, the Captain was notified that the yacht would not resume her trip -until the next evening. - -That night, after dinner had been enjoyed on deck, Mr. Dalken proposed a -stroll through the "White Light Way" of Havana. This was received with -acclaim and in another moment the ladies were gone for their hats and -light evening wraps. Soon all were walking up the street leading from -the pier, and eagerly discussing the change in the looks of the city by -night. - -Half the people they met were visitors from the States, and most of -those were from New York, or the large cities of the Atlantic coast -states. Everywhere on bill-boards, on walls of buildings, and up high on -the roofs of houses, the advertising of the morrow's horse racing was -posted. Now and then the men in the party were accosted and invited to -book their wagers for the races. But Mr. Dalkin shook his head and -advised John and Ray to refuse all offers to double and triple their -gains by booking that night. - -After visiting many interesting places, the yacht-party entered a famous -cafe for supper. Dancing in all of its wildest and most sensuous forms -was demonstrated by Spanish beauties with little idea of propriety; the -very abandon of their poses and the flashing glances they sent the -American men in the visiting parties proved how faint were the ties that -held them to respectability. - -"Shall we try a dance?" asked Jack Baxter of Polly. She glanced at Mrs. -Courtney with a questioning expression. - -"Better not, Jack. These dancing girls and their Spanish cavaliers are -only too willing to pick an acquaintance with any one who appears to -have money. Dancing here might prepare the way for familiarity, for you -actually descend to their plane in taking the floor while they are on -it," advised Mrs. Courtney. - -"That sounds a little far-fetched, Lady Fair, but I will abide by your -commands," laughed Jack, though he was keen to get out on the superb -floor and dance to the inspiring music. - -Not five minutes later Mrs. Courtney had her quiet little revenge on -Jack for his light laugh at her advice. - -Ray and Eleanor had not waited to hear Mrs. Courtney's hint about -dancing, and had enjoyed the waltz to the utmost till the orchestra -concluded the piece. An encore loudly continued induced the musicians to -resume the waltz. But a handsome Spaniard approached Eleanor who was -standing with Ray at one end of the hall, and bowing politely offered -his arm to finish the dance with her. - -Eleanor flushed confusedly and Ray haughtily stared at the daring young -man, then turned on his heel and tried to escort Eleanor to her party -which was seated at one of the balcony tables. Polly, Jack, and Mrs. -Courtney were watching the episode, and Polly murmured: "Glad I wasn't -in Noll's shoes! I'd have spoken my mind to the fellow." - -No sooner had Eleanor found her friends than Mrs. Courtney got up and -said: "Are we ready to return to the White Crest?" - -And those who had witnessed the incident of Eleanor's experience with -the strange Cuban man instantly followed Mrs. Courtney's lead. - -The next day proved to be one of almost unbearable tropical heat. The -tourists found it necessary to drive to the race-course in rickety old -carriages, because Jack had forgotten to engage automobiles for his -party and other American sportsmen had anticipated the demand and had -commandeered every form of auto to be found. - -Mid merry jests and amused calls to each other, the girls managed to -finally dispose themselves in the worn-cushioned, shaky seats of the -century old victorias, and at last Jack decided they were ready to -start. - -As these vehicles carry but few passengers at a time, it was necessary -for so large a party to have four carriages, one after the other, as in -a parade. The dark drivers grinned and displayed glistening white teeth -at the wind-fall which would come their way that day, in driving these -New Yorkers to the races. - -The Dalken party was rattled along under long avenues of bamboo trees; -past crowds of native holiday makers dressed in all their gala finery, -who waved and shouted joyously at every passing vehicle; through banana -plantations where the road led over slight knolls, or down through woods -to ford a stream where the wheels of the laden carriages threatened to -sink to the hubs in sand; then up again and over a dusty road where the -heavy hoofs of the lazy horses caused choking clouds of dust to settle -upon the passengers crowded so uncomfortably in the small equipages. - -Finally the leading carriage in which sat Jack and Polly, with Mrs. -Courtney as chaperone, reached a fenced in area where a number of -uniformed guards tried to keep peepers from securing their view of the -races for nothing. The darky driver knew exactly where to halt, and then -he held out his hand for his fee. - -"You wait here where we can find you after the races," said Jack, -without a move to take any money from his pocket. - -"Ah, no! You get drive here, me get money for it," retorted the driver. - -"But I hired you for the entire afternoon! You have only fulfilled part -of the contract. When you deliver us at the wharf I pay in full," -explained Jack. - -Meanwhile Mr. Dalken had been having the same experience, but he paid -the fee without stopping to consider the reason for the untimely demand. -Finally, Jack's driver capitulated and resigned himself to the -inevitable, and his three passengers hurriedly joined the rest of their -party. - -Jack came up just as Mr. Dalken counted out the last bill. - -"Good gracious, Dalky! Don't tell me you paid him!" called Jack, -impatiently. - -"The fellow was ready to call one of those ridiculous policemen over and -arrest me," explained Mr. Dalken. - -"He'd have done nothing of the sort! Now you will have to walk back or -crowd in with us. That rascal will hang about here until after the races -end, then pick up the highest bidder for his rickety old chaise back to -the city. If he had been made to wait for his fee he would have been too -glad to take you back as agreed upon." - -"Never mind, Dalky, you shall sit upon my knee!" laughed Eleanor, -teasingly. - -"You may regret this kindly offer, Nolla, when the long dusty trip -begins," retorted Mr. Dalken. - -But further argument on the situation was interrupted by a vendor of -cocoanut juice. Closely following this peddler came a bookmaker who had -been forbidden an entrance to the course. He was sent the way of the -vendor of drinks; and then came a gayly garbed black who invited the -party to win great stakes at a new game--but it was merely a decoy of the -three-card monte gamble. - -Accompanied on both sides by barkers for refreshments, by touts, and by -every sort of vendor of anything salable, the Dalken party finally found -it possible to reach the entrance gate. Soon after passing through here, -the troublesome peddlers were left behind, but a new form of buzzard -came to annoy. These were the professional bookmakers and licensed -gamblers who hoped to turn a dishonest dollar their way. - -In threading a trail to the Grand Stand, Jack led his party past family -groups that sat under the trees and picnicked gayly until the gong -should call all to the roped-off line that marked the course. The Grand -Stand, painted white and decked in many-hued flags of friendly nations, -was reached after many side-steppings and turns. Here the girls found -army officers, professional men from Havana, and a tableau of -fashionably dressed women with fans and parasols galore. - -As the horses were paraded past the Grand Stand, and their gayly decked -black jockeys acknowledged the waving hands and applause of the ladies -to their favorites in the race, Polly turned to Eleanor and said: "Dear -me, I wish I could bet!" - -"You can," returned Eleanor. "Let's call Jack and tell him." - -Jack heard and grinned. "Which is your favorite, Poll?" - -"See this one on the programme--his name is Will o' the Wisp. Such a -pretty name!" - -"Hoh, but he is absolutely no good!" declared Jack. "He's only entered -because they need filling the list on that race. No one will bet on him. -The odds are ridiculous." - -"I don't care what they say, I'm going to bet five dollars on him," -asserted Polly. - -"But, dear girl, have you seen the scrawny beast! Look out there and see -him shambling along after all the others," argued Jack. - -Polly looked. Yes, she admitted that he was a sorry-looking steed for a -race, but still she insisted upon her choice. A man was found who -laughed scornfully as he took her bet--Polly would lose her five without -a doubt. But she shook her head and said knowingly: - -"No, you will be the one to lose thirty-five dollars, I'm sure!" With a -sympathetic laugh the man went his way. - -Eleanor's wager was almost as bad, because she chose her favorite on -account of appearances. The horse was beautiful, to be sure, but he had -no record and consequently no bidding in his favor. - -False starts were repeatedly made, and the impatient jockeys had to come -back and begin again. Finally the judge really dropped the flag and they -were off! - -Then were heard excited calls, shrill cries from anxious watchers, and, -as the horses circled the course, the tense urgings of men who had -staked all on a favorite, became more thrilling until the home lap came -in view. Then Jack's party were treated to a real Havana picture of a -race. - -The jockeys in purple and gold, green and red, pink and violet, and -other combinations of colors, sat humped over their mounts and urged -them to the utmost. Every jockey, as he neared the Grand Stand, shouted -excitedly and switched his horse into greater effort. But all eyes -seemed glued to a miracle! - -Will o' the Wisp, pitied and ridiculed at the start of the races, -carrying a faded-looking jockey who clung with his knees to the sides of -his horse but used no whip, had crept up to his leaders before half the -course had been covered. Gradually but surely he went on creeping up -until he came beside the last horse in the string. But he did not stop -there. He crept on until he had passed that horse and then left him at -the very tail of the line. One by one he came nose to nose with and then -passed all contestants in the race until he reached the leader of them -all. Just as easily as he had crept up and passed the others, so he came -on and passed the leader, and finally let himself out on the home run. - -The mobs were breathless. Not a hurrah or cry of encouragement sounded -while Will O' the Wisp nosed ahead of the favorite in the lead, but when -he loped out ahead of them all and stretched his neck to widen the -distance between the favorite and himself, the excited crowds gave vent -to one long shrill yell of delight! That was a race worth seeing, no -matter how many dollars were lost on the books! - -Polly seemed to be one of a very few who had wagered anything on Will o' -the Wisp, but her friends declared she must understand horseflesh better -than they to have so quickly picked the winner. - -The bookmaker who had felt sorry for the misguided girl, now came over -to pay his loss, but he wore a far different expression than one he had -expected to wear. Polly accepted her winnings with a serious manner, but -once the bookmaker was out of hearing, she said, "I really cannot keep -this money because I think it is wrong to gamble on horses that way, so -I will donate it to the Havana Hospital when we get back to town." - -As Jack had feared, when they came out of the Grand Stand and emerged -from the race-course, the jehu whom Mr. Dalken had paid off had found an -alluring fare to take home, and the three who had come out in that -vehicle found it necessary to accept the hospitality of their friends -and crowded into the already crowded surreys. However it made the ride -to the yacht all the merrier, and once the pier was reached the drivers -found it feasible to collect heavy toll for extra passengers they had -had to carry. - -The tax was paid, but Jack said angrily: "I never did see such grafters -as they have in Havana. One can't lift an eye-lash without being made to -pay for it!" - -That evening the Captain continued his course along the coast of Cuba. -The wonderful air, laden with sweet perfumes of the tropical plants that -caused the indented coastline to look like a fringed garment upon the -smooth silvery waters, made the tourists feel languid and only too -willing to loll upon deck and watch the swiftly passing panorama of the -island. - -The Captain planned to pass between Cuba and Hayti, to reach the harbor -at Kingston, Jamaica, the next stopping place for the travelers. But the -younger members in the party clamored for a sight of Port au Prince and -its motley citizens. - -"You'll find that Island anything but a desirable place to visit," -objected Mr. Fabian, when he heard the plans. - -"So Tom Latimer said, but we want to see the worshippers of the sacred -serpents," said Eleanor. - -"You won't see anything of the sort," remonstrated Mr. Dalken. "They -keep all such performances secret from civilized people. About the only -thing you will find, however, is a city rich in vice and unhealthy with -filth. You'll see blacks and half-breeds mince along the streets dressed -in the very latest Parisian fashions, with the manners of western -outlaws, and the morals of a dive dweller." - -"In other words, my girls, a place we cannot allow you to visit," was -Mrs. Courtney's conclusive remark. So that settled all hope of visiting -Hayti. - -Long before the yacht reached Hayti, however, the younger members of the -party were anxious to reach Kingston, where Jack described such alluring -attractions. Little coaxing was necessary to persuade Mr. Dalken to -anchor at Kingston for a few days in order to give the tourists ample -time to visit all the places worth seeing. - -Then, at last, the White Crest passed within a stone's throw of -Port-au-Prince, and leaving the Island of Hayti behind, made a straight -course for Jamaica. - -Skirting along the low-lying, palm-treed shores of this beautiful isle, -the watching group on the yacht found it rather warm pastime on deck -with the tropical sun burning blisters on the hand-rails of the boat, -and reflecting in all its power the burning rays as they struck the -smooth, mirror-like sea. - -Suddenly, without warning of any kind, a darkness fell and the sun -disappeared. Down came the rain in a regular deluge that sent everyone -pell mell into the saloon for shelter. The waterfall continued for about -ten minutes, then abated and suddenly, once more, the sun shone forth as -hot as ever. - -Exercise was intolerable in this climate, and the guests on board the -White Crest found the only agreeable pastime to be a comfortable chair -on deck where one could watch the flying fish, the pretty little -nautilus gliding past, and the dolphin play and jump in the transparent -depths of the sea. At times a hungry shark would follow the boat, -looking for the garbage thrown out by the cook. - -That night there was the last of the full moon, but what a different -moon from that as seen in New York! A few hours after sighting the -lighthouse on Morant Point, the watchers saw the first peaks of the Blue -Mountains. The yacht sped past sugar plantations, low-roofed, -silvery-white houses, glistening roads--glistening in the moonbeams--and -wonderful groves of cocoanut or banana palms whose tall fronds waved a -welcome to the girls. - -Passing along six miles of the coral ridge one does not realize how near -is Kingston, hidden by the strip of reef, until, quite suddenly, you -discover the town. It is entirely hemmed in by its mountains, and on -only one side approached by the beautiful lagoon through the waters of -which the White Crest now danced to reach the mystical-looking place -situated about six miles away, at the end of the harbor. - -That night the yacht made fast to a wooden quay where black-faced, -white-teethed men awaited the coming of the rich quarry. Not often did -they have such a fine craft come to Kingston, and each and every son of -the soil planned how to fleece the members of the party. But all were -doomed to disappointment for that night, as the time being almost -midnight, Mr. Dalken said no one would go ashore, until the morning. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--LOST IN KINGSTON - - -Directly after breakfast the next morning, Mr. Dalken and his guests, -having first agreed to meet on the yacht that evening at seven for -dinner, made ready to start on a tour of inspection. - -The girls in light summer dresses, had donned their wide-brimmed hats, -and taken sun-shades for protection from the sun; and the men had -dressed in white flannels and Panama hats, in order to keep as cool as -possible. - -"One last word," advised Mr. Dalken, as Jack stood ready to lead his -party to the wharf. "Don't let those rascally hackmen get your money. -Better walk about, while the air is cool and fresh. Later we shall have -to remain on the verandah of the Spring Hotel to sip lemonade and fan -ourselves." - -The friends laughed gayly and started off. The younger contingent of the -touring party went first, the elders following in a leisurely manner -while conversing with their host. Jack and Ray led the way across the -dock to the entrance which, to their chagrin, was blocked completely by -the hacks which they had been so recently warned against. - -Jack looked in every direction for an opening. There were none. "Well, -girls, it's a case of taking the bull by the horns. I'll grab one of -these old nags by the head and lead him out; then you can follow through -the gap and land on the other side of this mob which is after our -money--that's what it is!" - -No sooner said than done; hence Ray, not caring to be considered a -laggard in such a good work, followed suit and caught hold of the head -of a horse next the one taken by Jack. But the men who owned these -animals felt that they had a right in the matter. At the very moment -that Jack caught hold of the bit of the horse, the black driver lashed -the flank of his beast unmercifully, causing the horse to start and tear -across the open square in front of the quay. Naturally this unexpected -move dragged Jack from his feet, and in constant danger of being -trampled or kicked, he found it unwise to let go his hold. - -The girls stood and screamed, but Ray let go his hold on the other horse -and dashed madly after his friend. He thought the horse was running -away, with Jack hanging to his head. By the time Polly collected her -wits enough to act, Jack was out of sight around the corner, and Ray was -sprinting after the equipage which had been lost in a cloud of yellow -dust. - -"Here! Jump in and let's go after them!" ordered Eleanor, as she spied a -hack with a good looking horse in its shafts. - -Polly sprang in and Eleanor followed, but before Ruth or Nancy could get -in, the driver slammed the door and off he went, in a whirl of dust. -Ruth and Nancy stood dumb and watched them go. - -By this time Mr. Dalken and his friends came up. He looked around in -surprise. "Why! Where is Jack and the others?" - -"Oh, Dalky!" cried Ruth, "Jack's been run away with and the two girls -have been kidnapped!" - -"Impossible! In broad daylight?" exclaimed many voices. - -Nancy tried to explain all that had happened in so short a time, then -Mr. Dalken laughed. "Exactly what I advised you against. If we had -landed last night every one would have been whipped into a separate -vehicle and carried off to a different hotel. These drivers are paid to -drag visitors to the various houses willy-nilly, and once the tourists -arrive, they are so frightened at their experience, they usually remain -where they have been left. But where did the man take Polly and -Eleanor?" - -While he spoke, such a clamor and wrangling of drivers at the elbows of -each one in the group, drove Mr. Dalken distracted. Finally he turned -and held up a hand for silence. Little cared these black men for New -York authority or prestige. They all wanted a fare, and that was all. - -"There's but one thing to do--each one of us get in a separate hack and -tell the man to drive you to the Spring Hotel. When you arrive there -tell him to wait for me--that I carry the purse. That will cool their -blood and have them ready for me when I arrive." - -Mr. Fabian laughed, but it was the only solution to rid themselves of -being pulled to tatters by the myriad of besieging men. Quickly then Mr. -and Mrs. Fabian got in one cab, Mr. and Mrs. Ashby in another, Nancy and -Ruth with Mr. Dalken got in a third, and all started off. - -As far as weather went, the day was beautiful and calm. But the old -rackety hacks went seesawing over the yellow road whence one could see -the blue edge of the sea far out beyond the coral reefs. White bits of -sail on distant little vessels made bright spots on the blue glassy -horizon. Finally, after a drive of not more than ten blocks, but a trip -which the wily drivers had stretched out into twenty blocks by going -round about the town, the first load of shaken-up passengers reached the -hotel verandah. The driver brought his horse to a sudden stop with a -wild hurrah and a flourish of the limp whip. Then he sprang to the -ground and demanded his money. - -"You'll have to wait for the last man to arrive. He has the money," -explained Mr. Fabian, as instructed. - -Such a volley of expletives then poured from the man's mouth that Mrs. -Fabian covered her ears and ran for the hotel porch. But a diversion -occurred in having the second hack arrive and crash into the first one. -The Ashbys stepped out with shaking nerves and white faces. - -"Oh, such a drive!" gasped Mrs. Ashby, but the driver interrupted her by -demanding his money. - -He received the same reply as that given to the first driver. The second -man could curse even more fluently than the one who had sent Mrs. Fabian -scurrying away. But Mr. Ashby quietly took one step forward and caught -the whip from the darky's hand. Instantly he cowered and bobbed as if in -apology. - -Then came Mr. Dalken's equipage, with Ruth and Nancy in mortal dread of -being killed before the man would stop his horse. - -"Where is Jack and the other girls?" asked Mr. Dalken, looking around in -wonderment. He had fully expected to find them all there. - -Before any one could reply, the wrangling over the fares began again. -Each driver claimed four times the usual fee, but Mr. Dalken understood -them, and when at last he had settled for the regular price of a dollar -a trip, they smiled politely and drove away. - -"You see, in these isles, one must never pay the price demanded. The -native holds the highest regard and esteem for those who know the ropes -and stick to one price--generally it is four to five times less than that -asked. Remember this when you go shopping, ladies," said Mr. Dalken. - -"But what will you do about Polly and Nolla--and the two lost boys?" -asked Ruth, anxiously. - -"We will go over on the verandah and order long cool drinks of orangeade -and wait for them. They will come, all right, when the driver hears that -they wish to stop at this hotel," said Mr. Dalken. - -"Aren't you a little worried?" asked Mrs. Courtney. - -"No, not in Kingston. It would have been different in Havana or Hayti. -Here, every one is as honest as the drinks--and they are temperance and -pure. No synthetic orangeade for your money." The laughing tone and -reassuring manner of their host made his friends feel confident that -soon the lost members of their party would arrive with varied tales of -adventures. - -Meanwhile young Baxter had managed to cause such a drag on the horse, to -which he clung like grim death, that the animal stopped on a side lane -where the blinding dust measured at least ten inches in depth. Natty -Jack, in his once immaculate white flannels and silk shirt, looked for -all the world as if he had been purposely caked with Jamaica dust an -inch thick. Even his hair and eyebrows stuck out in yellow thickness. As -the horse stopped Jack let go and sat down upon the ground with a heavy -sigh. - -"Aigh, you-all pays me free dollahs!" demanded the driver. - -The owner of the animal now stood over Jack and scowled fiercely. "Mebbe -dat hoss goin' to git heaves f'on all dis hawd wu'k. Mebbe you'se got'ta -pay foh my hoss, too!" - -This was too much for poor Jack! He sprang up and there, in the -isolation of that Jamaica lane shadowed by over-hanging palms, he -started a regular fight with the driver. The astonished man, never -thinking of striking back, went flat upon his back in the same dust -where his victim had been seated a moment before. - -Jack jumped into the front seat of the hack, whipped up the nag with the -same whip the driver had brandished over him just a minute previously, -and before the amazed fellow could think, his vehicle had passed out of -sight around a corner of the lane. - -While this went on, Ray sprinted as swiftly as if he was running a -Marathon, but he was no match for the whipped horse which carried his -friend to only goodness knows where. But Ray could not keep up the pace -overlong, so he quietly subsided in front of a fruit stall and paid for -a reviving drink of green cocoanut milk, thereby earning himself a stool -upon which to sit and rest from the frightful strain in a tropical -temperature. - -While he sat there slowly sipping the cooling beverage, the carriage -with Polly and Eleanor seated within drove past the fruit vendor's -booth. Ray was too exhausted to jump up and follow, but he decided that -the girls were on their way to the Spring Hotel. Hence he turned his -attention again to the drink. - -The driver of the surrey in which the two girls had climbed, had no -intention of taking his fares to the well-known Spring Hotel, because he -was paid extra for every guest he could deposit at a small and -practically new boarding house of third-rate class. Naturally this -landlady found great difficulty in securing guests, and she found it -necessary to pay the hack drivers a commission for their collaboration. - -Polly and Eleanor saw themselves whisked along mean streets lined on -both sides with a bungalow type of houses; these dwellings apparently -were filled to overflowing with people of varied shades of black and -brown, down to a pale yellow. Every now and then the driver of the -vehicle had to swerve out of the way for a tramcar track at street -crossings. At such crossings the girls saw the business street, down -which the cars had their tracks, busy with tourists and shop keepers who -called from their emporiums to attract attention to their wares on sale. - -"For all the world like the East Side in New York, isn't it?" asked -Eleanor, as both girls gazed with interest at all they saw. - -After driving his "fares" in and out of many byways, the hack man -brought his horse up before a shabby house of somewhat larger dimensions -than any bungalow the girls had yet seen. Here he opened the -broken-hinged door of his surrey and bowed to let them know they were to -step out and pay their bill. - -Several indolent guests, who plainly showed their plane of life, sat -upon the rickety chairs on the narrow verandah which _hung_ desperately -to the front of the "Hotel." The landlady, a great bulk of light yellow -tint, came out to greet her new guests. - -Polly glanced over the place in amazement, and Eleanor felt inclined to -double up in laughter. She had to cover her mouth with her hand in order -to choke back the wild shout of amusement that _would_ demand a vent. - -"Why, what do you call this place?" demanded Polly of the driver, -frowning upon him in stern anger. - -"Dis am de ho-tel you wants to come to," replied he. - -"I told you to drive us to the Spring Hotel, and this never is _it_!" - -"No'm, you'se says foh me to drive you-all affer dat man what cotched -hoi' of dat hoss's head. Well, dat hoss and man done runned away -somewhere, so I jus' brings you to the fust-class place I knows of," -explained the driver. - -Eleanor now screamed with laughter at the funny experience, and was -unable to help Polly in her cross-examination of the man. - -"You get back in that seat and take us to the Spring Hotel, or I will -hand you over to the police!" threatened Polly, but she could not help -wondering if Kingston ever had a police force! - -"Ef I has to take you-all another trip, it's goin' to cost more money," -bargained the fellow, not knowing the nature of the girl he thought he -had at a disadvantage. - -Polly leaned out from the door of the hack. "You get in that seat in -double-quick time or you'll find out where I came from! Did you ever -hear of Colorado people who know how to shoot a fly from a swinging -street lamp forty feet away? Well, that's me!" Polly's tone was that of -a hangman's, her expression similar to that of an Empress who is judging -a criminal, her sudden wave of the hand that of a western hold-up man. -The driver, never having had such a "fare" with which to deal, obeyed -like a whipped puppy. He climbed back into his seat and drove away midst -the jeers and hoots of the loafers on the hang-too verandah. Even the -landlady of the house jeered at him. - -By this time Eleanor found herself able to gasp forth a cheer for Polly. -But Polly turned blazing eyes upon her friend and said: "A fine -assistant you will make in time of need!" - -"Oh, Polly, what could you expect of me in such a ridiculous -predicament? You looked too surprised and shocked for anything!" - -But Polly was really offended this time, and she would not reply to -Eleanor's attempts at making up. Not until the meek driver turned into -the beautiful avenue that brought them up in front of the Spring Hotel, -where all but Jack and Ray lounged in great comfortable wicker chairs -and sipped orangeade, did she forgive Eleanor. - -Polly gave one glance at her friends and stiffened up. "Well! Is that -the way you-all trouble over the safety of Nolla and me? We might have -been offered up on the altar of the voodoo worshippers for all you -cared!" - -"We knew you would be perfectly safe in this town--no such menace as -voodooism here," laughed Mr. Dalken, coming down the three steps to -welcome his charges. - -"Two sov'ren's, please," now demanded the driver. - -"Two what?" shouted Mr. Ashby, who had joined his friend. - -With not so much bravado the hackman said: "I druv dese ladies all over -Kingston tryin' to keep up wid dere young man. Now I got'ta be paid foh -all dat trouble." - -"Dalky, he never did! He took us way off to a dump of a house where he -tried to make us believe you would come to board. I actually had to -threaten to shoot him, as we do out west, before he would condescend to -bring us here," explained Polly, her color rising ominously as she -glared at the man. - -"I'll pay you exactly what all fares are from the wharf to this -hotel--here's a dollar a fare, and that makes two dollars. Now begone -before this young sixshooter gets out a gun and wings your ear!" Mr. -Dalken tossed the man two dollars and waved him away. - -The driver caught the money with one hand, caught hold of the iron rail -of the front seat with his other hand and swung himself up. In another -moment he was whipping his horse and whizzing off out of range of that -gun. He had never in his life delivered a fare who had such spirit as -that western girl expressed, and he began to ponder whether the life of -a hackman was the most delightful one now that women in the States had -suffrage and could carry guns! - -A coal-black waiter brought more cooling drinks to the parched guests, -and when Polly had emptied a long thin glass filled with iced orangeade, -she felt better. Then she explained. - -The interested audience laughed, but when she demanded: "What did you do -with Jack and Ray?" no one could reply. - -"I'm here to answer for myself," came a weak, quavering voice from the -road. Every one jumped up and ran to the steps, and there stood poor -Jack, still coated with heavy dust and painfully clambering out of the -one-sided carriage. - -Such a ludicrous picture did dandy Jack present to his friends that they -could not restrain a shout of laughter. He looked hurt but shook his -head hopelessly. "I knew what sort of friends I had!" he muttered as he -limped up the steps and dropped into a chair. As he fell into its -cushioned depths a choking cloud of dust rose from his form and floated -over the group that now surrounded him. - -Before Jack had concluded his narrative Ray came up to the steps of the -hotel and joined his friends. With his appearance the others called for -an explanation of his clean-looking summer garb, his cool-looking face, -and the smile that told he had not had such disturbing experiences as -the other three wanderers in an unknown town. - -"I saw a driver whisking Polly and Eleanor past my resting place, but -they went too fast for my speed." Ray laughed as he remembered again the -perplexed girls in that hack. - -"Well, now that we are reunited, children, let us celebrate with another -flagon of orangeade," laughed Mr. Fabian, calling the waiter to take the -order. - -As they all sipped another gallon of cooling drink, they planned what to -see after they had recovered from the strenuous trip from the quay to -the Hotel. - -"You know, we won't be able to visit every point of interest in Jamaica, -but at least we shall see those which are most worth while," explained -Mr. Dalken. Then turning to Jack, he said, "You've been here before, -Jack--where do you advise us to take the party?" - -"Well, every one ought to see the natives dive for coins--that's one of -the amusements offered here; but that can be done as we come from the -yacht to-morrow morning," said Jack. At this suggestion, Polly -interpolated: - -"I hope to goodness you don't expect us to run the gauntlet of those -buggy drivers again, do you?" - -And Eleanor said: "Why not camp out at this hotel as long as we are -here. I find it delightfully cool and restful here." - -"At least we might stay here to-night, Dalky," added Ray. - -"I'm willing. The Captain will understand if we do not return by ten -o'clock to-night." - -It was therefore decided that the entire party would remain at the -Spring Hotel that night and, should they find the evening entertainment -alluring enough, they might remain another night. - -"That means we ladies must get out and shop for requisites we will need -overnight," ventured Mrs. Fabian. - -"I was wondering if it would not be wise to do some shopping this -afternoon," added Mrs. Ashby. - -"We may as well do all the shopping we plan to do, as long as we are at -it," suggested Mrs. Courtney. - -"Well, if you ladies are going to shop, what do you expect the male -members of the party to do to kill time?" asked Ray. - -"Why, go along and pay the bills, to be sure!" laughed Mr. Ashby. - -"What else do you think a married man can do?" added Mr. Fabian. - -About this time the gong boy came out on the verandah and made such a -deafening din with the hammer and copper drum he carried that John -Baxter beckoned him over. - -"What's the game now, Bo?" asked Jack. - -"Lunsh'on, sah!" answered the young boy, pounding with might and main -that all should hear the call to midday luncheon. But he looked at the -dusty young man who questioned him, then showed his mighty disdain at -the awful clothes covered with Jamaica real estate, by curling his -nostrils and walking away from Jack. - -Midst a merry peal of laughter at his expense, Jack got up and limped -into the hotel in order to secure a room with bath where he might -relieve his person of the undesirable weight of earth. - -He had not been gone a minute ere a dusty, angry driver stumbled up the -steps and gazed wildly at the group where his "fare" had been seated. -Not seeing a man answering to the description, the man sought -everywhere--inside and outside, for the man who had taken the license of -using his horse and hack without permission, and left _him_, the owner, -to walk all the way to the Spring Hotel to recover his business assets. - -During the time the furious driver sought him, Jack reclined in a -luxurious bath and managed to relieve himself and his hair of all the -clinging dust he had accumulated in that mad race through knee-deep dust -on the side-streets of Jamaica. - -Mourning the loss of collecting the damages he had expected to claim -from the New Yorker, the hack driver had to leave in his recovered -surrey. But he made up his weak mind to find that young man when he -should reappear on the quay some day to leave the town. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--THE SIGHTS OF JAMAICA - - -The climate of this the largest of the islands of the West Indies, was -as perfect as climate can be. The heat was, of course, tropical; but -that was tempered by sea-breezes forever blowing from one direction or -another, and as the island is not too mountainous to obstruct these -breezes, one can always find relief from the warmth of the sunshine. - -The streets, where the best shops are located, are a busy sight, indeed, -especially during tourists' season, when crowds of visitors are eagerly -selecting souvenirs for home-friends. These tradesmen consider a buyer, -who does not bargain for his purchase, a brainless creature to be -despised. In fact, one must offer the merchant just about one quarter of -the price asked first if he wishes to win esteem and admiration from the -native. Many times a buyer secures reverence if he turns and pretends to -walk out of the booth, and then pauses to listen to the beseeching -salesman to turn and take the desirable article at his own figure! - -As the ladies in Mr. Dalken's party sauntered from one shop to another, -enjoying the unusual fun of driving hard bargains (as the proprietor of -the hotel had warned them to do) the men attended stalls where they -purchased native hats, curios, and walking sticks or umbrellas with odd -handles and of splendid workmanship. - -They finally wound up in the market place, but it was too late in the -day to witness the thrill and thrall of marketing as is seen in the -early mornings. Mr. Dalken learned that on Saturdays the country people -foregathered in the great market to sell their produce and invest the -returns in their own needs. The man added with a smile at the ladies: - -"If you visit here on Sata'day, better wear a big bunch of strong -scented flowers directly under your nose. The smells of the crowded -stalls and the decaying fruit or vegetables, to say nothing of fowl and -fish spread out on boards in the heat to attract the buyers but the -flies as well, will not be the pleasantest scent to get." - -"I should say it will be as well to keep away from such a powerful -combined odor, eh?" was Mr. Dalken's smiling answer. - -"But the sight is well worth the insult to the other sense," retorted -the man who had a sense of humor as well as wit. - -"Thank you for the suggestions. If we are still in the town we will call -again," returned Mr. Dalken, lifting his hat and turning to leave the -market place. - -That afternoon the tourists returned to the hotel laden with purchases. -Not only were the ladies almost bankrupt from spending money on -hand-embroidered undergarments and basketwork ornaments, but they also -had been lured into buying savage designs of jewelry and art objects. -The men bought ebony paper cutters, desk outfits, wonderful whips made -from lace-bark, and even fishing-rods made of bamboo, with marvelous -handles mounted on a shark's backbone. Some of the rods had handles of -sandalwood, and were genuine curios in carvings. - -At dinner that evening the hotel manager came over to Mr. Dalken's table -and introduced himself. - -"I wish to invite you to a reception given this evening at Government -House. My guests are always welcome at these entertainments; there you -will meet our Jamaican society." - -Mr. Dalken thanked the host and said: "I am sure we appreciate your -hospitable invitation. If the ladies wish to go we shall enjoy the -reception." - -Naturally the ladies voted to go, and this necessitated a return trip to -the yacht in order to dress for the evening. They had heard how -particular were the aspirants to social favor, as regards the demands of -proper dress at all functions. Therefore Mr. Dalken chartered a car and -soon had his guests back at the quay and on board his yacht where they -hurriedly arrayed themselves in evening clothes. - -At the reception that evening the Americans found a mixed society. -Military, civic officialdom, and those who could be classed with the -Dalken group. Dress was a very important item in this gathering, and -every lady present, be she pure white, milk-white (which really showed -she was an octoroon) or yellow, flaunted the most gorgeous gowns. Many -dresses could claim Parisian birth, and others came from the best Fifth -Avenue shops in New York City. The females in the yacht party now saw -the very latest ideas in style, and they were honestly amazed at such a -revelation. Later they heard that style and display of their clothes -constituted the main interest in life for the Kingston society ladies. - -Dancing is the favorite amusement of the Jamaicans, and they take -advantage of every opportunity to dance, morning, noon, or night. Hence -a reception of such importance as one at Government House provides a -great opportunity for dancing. The younger members in Mr. Dalken's party -found all the dancing they could stand at that time. Even the elder -members were lured into dancing several seductive waltzes that evening, -and Polly saw for the first time what a graceful and admirable pair Mrs. -Courtney and Mr. Dalken made as dancing partners. - -While they waited for the automobile which had been engaged for the -evening, Polly whispered to Eleanor: "Haven't you noticed how Dalky has -bloomed since that blight of Elizabeth has been removed?" - -"Yes, indeed! And I'm glad of it. Her reckless running away with those -horrid persons that night really turned out to be the very best thing -for our Dalky in the end. Now he can enjoy himself to his heart's -content without being spied upon," said Eleanor. - -The ladies were now crowded into the automobile, while the men went to -the tram to ride as far as it carried them in the direction of the -Spring Hotel. The air was cool and refreshing during the night, and the -dancing had not caused any one to feel too tired or languid, as might -have been expected in such a climate. - -A good sleep at night and a refreshing bath with a fine breakfast in the -morning, brought forth eager and energetic tourists in Mr. Dalken's -party that next morning. - -"Well, what is on the bill for to-day?" demanded Jack, eagerly. - -"You sound as if you knew of something," countered Polly. - -"I do. I heard of it last night from one of the officers in the Army. Do -you want to hear it?" - -Of course they wanted to hear it. But it was far different than anything -they expected to hear. - -"There is a trial in the Court House this morning at ten, of a young man -who helped himself to a stick of sweets on sale by a street peddler, of -which class Kingston is full and overflowing. The lieutenant is called -upon as a witness of the theft, and the brown policeman who caught the -fellow red-handed, is going to make the most of his claim to promotion -on the force. I hear it will be as good as any vaudeville show in the -city," explained Jack. - -"It seems a pity to waste a fine morning in an ill-smelling courtroom, -when there are so many other interesting things to do," argued Mr. -Fabian, whose artistic instincts rebelled against a court scene as an -amusement. - -"Oh, I'd love to witness such a scene," declared Eleanor, glancing at -her girl-friends to see what they thought about it. - -"Supposing you folks--all who wish to--go on a drive all about the -country, while we youngsters attend court," ventured Ray. - -"If I thought we could trust the girls to you two scapegraces in such a -place as a Kingston Court House, I'd accept the suggestion," returned -Mr. Dalken. - -"I'll go with the girls to the court, and you all can go for a -sight-seeing trip," offered Mrs. Courtney. - -"Would you really care to sit out a court trial?" asked Mrs. Fabian, -sympathetically for her friend. - -"I think I'd prefer to be amused this morning instead of sight-seeing -around the country," answered Mrs. Courtney. - -So it was hastily decided that the young people, chaperoned by Mrs. -Courtney, were to attend court, while Mr. Dalken took his friends on a -tram ride out into the open country of Jamaica. - -Jack acted as official pilot of the contingent for the court house; as -they came near the entrance door they found a crowd of all sorts of -people waiting to see justice administered. - -Inside, the good-looking young lieutenant was introduced to Jack's -party, and then he found seats in a desirable row where every incident -could be seen, yet they would not be elbowed by the motley gathering. - -The court room was nothing more than a large room with a raised platform -at one end. Rude wooden benches were placed in rows for the -accommodation of the audience and those who would have to report when -their names were called from the roll in the clerk's hands. - -Upon the platform was the judge. He sat in an old swivel chair behind a -table, and every now or then he leaned back in weary listlessness, but -just as surely as he tilted back a bit too far, the treacherous pivot -would squeak and the chair went back, being kept from over-turning by -the clutch in the swivel. At these tilts the judge would throw out both -arms and yank his body upright in order to regain his equilibrium. A -deep-seated grunt announced the success of his attempts at balancing, -and the trial would proceed as before the interruption. The spectators -in the room dared not smile, nor even seem to be interested in the -result of the tip of the magistrate's chair, but each one maintained a -serious expression as if life and limb depended upon their dignified -attention to the witness on the stand. With the advent of Eleanor to the -court room all this was to be reversed. - -Jack whispered to the girls: "Is this bench all right for you to see the -show?" - -Instantly the judge ceased playing with his heavy-rimmed horn spectacles -and sat upright. He glared over at the newcomers, but finding that they -paid no attention to him he thumped the top of the table with a mallet: -"Order in the Court!" shouted he. - -The girls were seated now, and Ruth looked up with awe at the man who -had just spoken. Nancy glanced around the room and wrinkled her dainty -nose at the crowding of whites, yellows, and blacks in one small area. -Polly watched the severe judge, but Eleanor was all eyes for the witness -on the platform. Jack and Ray stood back of the bench upon which sat the -girls, and watched for the fun they had been promised. - -The ancient clerk, a picturesque form, now got upon his feet and read -from a legal paper the name and crime of one Al Colman. Down in front of -the platform sat a black giant. Fittingly his name was "Colman." But he -was not experienced in court manners so he did not answer to the call of -his name. - -The judge toyed impatiently with the mallet of authority, but he would -not so far demean himself as to bring the prisoner to understand his -lesson. Rather, he glared at the Clerk, who was a yellow-white, and -demanded of him: - -"Got the prisoner in the Court?" he could plainly see the nervous Al -just in front of his table, but that was not justice as he weighed it -out to menials. - -The Clerk lowered the paper, stared over his specs at Al, and called -impatiently: "Why don' you answer when I calls yoh name, Al?" The -Americans smiled at the first bit of play. - -"D'ye want me to?" demanded Al Colman, wriggling uneasily. He was a -ragged, ignorant black, who looked too stupid to steal. - -"Shore! Got a lawyer t' defen' yuh?" demanded the Clerk. - -"How come yuh ast me dat? Yuh knows I ain't got nuff money to git me a -moufful to eat?" retorted Al. Eleanor laughed and the judge thumped the -table furiously and bawled out: - -"Order in this Court!" - -"Step up to the chair, Al, and be examined," advised the Clerk. - -Poor Al, getting up from his bench as if it was to be the last act on -earth for him, crept up to the platform and shook as he lifted imploring -eyes to the severe magistrate above him. This tickled the egotism of the -judge mightily and he frowned down upon the trembling prisoner. - -"Step up and answer all questions truthfully!" commanded he. - -Al obeyed and after he had taken the oath to speak the "truf, the hull -truf, an' nuttin' but de truf," the lawyer for the plaintiff began his -story. - -"'N it please yuh honor, yistiddy whiles I was lookin' over important -papers, I hears a hue an' cry outside my office window, so I jumps up -and looks. Down th' street went dis niggeh an' a affer him went a lady -of color what sells sweets on the street--she got a genuwine license from -you, yuh honor," the man interrupted himself, suddenly remembering how -important such an item would be in influencing justice. - -The magistrate bowed with dignity, and the plaintiff continued: "Dis Al -Colman held a stick of sweets an' was beatin' it foh de open when I -steps out and interviews de hull thing. It is a plain case of larceny, -yuh honor, an' my client claims damages an' costs. I have an important -witness to testify to de truf of dis situation, yuh honor." - -The judge glared at poor Al and the self-styled lawyer beckoned to -Lieutenant Bray to step up. But Jack had already whispered to Bray to go -easy on the poor black man, and call on his friends if he needed any -help in dragging Al out of the ditch. - -The lawyer next asked Al all sorts of questions, in order to catch him -lying or attempting to get out of the claim of theft. - -"Whar yuh reside, Al?" demanded the lawyer. - -"Anywhar I finds a welcome," murmured Al, his eyes fixed upon the -splendor of the officer's uniform as he came up to offer his testimony -in the case. - -"And what yuh works at, Al?" demanded the questioner suavely, satisfied -with the reply to his first question. - -"Now yuh know I does any odd job I kin git," said Al. - -"How come yuh helped yuh-self to dem sweets, Al?" was the next question. - -Suddenly a voice behind Polly interrupted the proceedings: "I object to -that question until you have proved that the man took them!" - -Every head turned to the owner of the new voice. The girls and Jack and -Ray started in surprise to find Mr. Dalken had entered unseen and was -watching this unusual trial. - -"Order in this Court!" thundered the judge. Then to the sheriff, he -said: "Eject that man who interrupts the proceeding of the Law." - -But Mr. Dalken now stepped down to the front and said: "I am the legal -representative for this Al Colman. I object to the irregular questions -asked of my client." - -Al Colman's jaw dropped and his whole body slumped in the rickety chair. -The judge was so startled that he brought the swivel chair to an upright -position with such suddenness that the clutch broke and dropped out, but -he never knew it. He stared at the new lawyer and scowled his unwelcome. - -"Who are you and why didn't you step up aforetime?" - -"I just managed to reach the Court, your Honor, and now I offer my -services to this undefended man on trial for stealing sweets." Mr. -Dalken's manner was sugary and Jack hugged himself. He anticipated great -fun with the renowned New York lawyer taking a part. Even the lieutenant -smiled with delight at the turn in events. Only Al seemed overwhelmed -and depressed by the aspect his case was taking. - -The old woman who sold sweets on the street lifted bleary eyes to her -lawyer and grumbled: "I's is losin' all de mawnin' trade wid dis foolin' -bout dat stick of sugar cane! Lem'me go!" - -"Order in the Court!" thundered the judge, banging the table. He _could_ -let out his spleen on the table and it could not object. - -The case first advanced a step, then receded a step, until Mr. Dalken -brought his legal experience to bear on his colleague's legal -understanding. Thus matters drifted and were halted over and over, when -a suspicious sound from the magistrate in the broken swivel chair -announced that he was snoring, while the two lawyers wrangled in front -of his platform. Al Colman sat in stupefied wonderment at all he heard -but he was not sure whether they were going to send him to the chair, or -to jail for life. Every one in the room was tittering at the -discomfiture of the lawyer for the old street peddler, when a new phase -occurred. - -"Now, see heah, all yuh fo'kses! I done gone lost a stick of sugar -yistiddy, but I lose all my pence o' trade to-day cuz, of bein' hauled -in heah agin my will. I ain't got no cause nohow to git Al Colman inter -jail, an' _I'se_ discharge dis case!" As she rendered judgment in a -hoarse voice which was familiar on the street as coming from a -full-lung-powered huckster, she turned to leave the room. - -Whether the sound of a woman usurping his rights of judgment, or whether -the laughter of the crowd in the court room aroused him, cannot be -determined, but the judge suddenly let go his balance in the chair in -order to get up and demand order. The swivel instantly pivoted, and the -clutch being gone, back went the chair, tossing His Honor upon his head -behind the table. - -[Illustration: BACK WENT THE CHAIR, TOSSING THE JUDGE UPON HIS HEAD.] - -Then followed such an uproar that Al made a quick escape without being -seen. Out of the side door went he, and away to the open country he -fled, as if the hounds of justice were upon his heels. The Clerk of the -Court and the Sheriff hastened to assist their superior to an upright -position, and he showed his gratitude by getting hold of the mallet and -almost cracking the table in his efforts to bring about order in that -Court, while he glared at his deputies. - -Then scowling fiercely upon the two lawyers who had been the cause of -his nap, he thundered: "The case is dismissed! No cause." - -The spectators laughed and jeered, and the two legal representatives -shook hands and departed. Once outside, Jack and the lieutenant met -again, and the former said to the latter: "The whole thing looked as if -it had been staged for our benefit." - -And the army officer replied: "That's a typical scene of a trial for -petty larceny. There is no more apparent justice in the entire -proceedings than you would find in having your hen-coop robbed and then -have the man come and ask you to give him the side trimmings to his -chicken dinner." - -Mr. Dalken now came up and was introduced to the officer. "Did the poor -rascal really steal the sugar-stick?" asked he. - -"I don't think so, sir. But a lawyer with no cases on hand has to trump -up something to advertise himself. He may have paid the old peddler a -little sum to attend the court and demand a bit of justice. He may even -have paid Al to permit himself to be tried for stealing, provided Al -made the lawyer promise to get him scot free at the last." - -"Well, well! That scene was certainly well worth the time it took to -witness it!" added Mr. Dalken, as they all moved away to the tram-cars. - -Later that morning Polly said: "I haven't a very high opinion of -Kingston justice!" - -"I should say not!" exclaimed Eleanor in high contempt. - -"If they bungle such little cases so badly, what must they do when a -really serious crime is committed?" wondered Nancy. - -"I suppose they call in New York lawyers for such cases," laughed Polly, -winking at Mr. Dalken who stood with his back to the girls. But he -turned at this and retorted: - -"They never have really serious cases in Jamaica. I find from the -records that Jamaicans are truly a law-abiding people who seldom commit -a crime which necessitates such condemnation as we in New York have to -administer." - - - - -CHAPTER X--SPORTS AT JAMAICA - - -That afternoon after luncheon Mr. Dalken proposed a trip to Spanish -Town. He suggested the yacht for the conveyance and an anchorage at the -quay over night in order to allow themselves a full day at that -beautiful settlement. As nothing more exciting had been heard of, the -younger members of the party agreed to the plan. - -Late in the afternoon, therefore, the White Crest dropped anchor at that -part of the Rio Cobra River where Spanish Town is located. The tourists -remained on board the yacht that night, but in the early morning they -started to go ashore in the two small launches belonging to the yacht. - -As the boats neared the quay, the eager, waiting urchins on the wharf -stood ready to dive in the waters for the coin they expected from the -white visitors. Nor were they disappointed. - -The passengers in both small boats tossed coins out for the gamins to go -after, and there, without fear or thought of the ever-present shark, the -diving boys would go down in the waters to the bottom, but more often -they would catch the coin even before it had time to reach the sandy -bottom of the water. It was a most amazing thing to watch the speed and -alertness of these children who seemed automatic in their instantaneous -dive the moment the hand let go the coin. - -In several instances the boys caught the coin in their hands just as it -splashed into the surface of the water. When the girls had tired of -watching this performance, the sailors were told to move on to land. - -The hotel accommodations at Spanish Town were not to be compared to the -Spring Hotel at Kingston; but they would have the yacht to use if -matters were too, uncomfortable at the hotel in Spanish Town. - -Soon after landing at Spanish Town the men heard of the excellent -fishing to be had in the Rio Cobra River, hence they hoped to try a -catch that day. But the ladies had also heard of the beauty of Bog Walk, -and they clamored to go with the men. That necessitated a string of -punts and men to pole, but expense was no drawback on this excursion. -Moreover, Jamaican blacks work for a mere nothing in comparison with New -York laborers. - -Down the shores of the Rio Cobra went the flat punts and then drifted -along the famous Bog Walk, the passengers listening to the songs of the -tropical birds, and watching the verdure clad shores--clad in palms, tall -cane, or heavy bamboo clumps. Both banks were carpeted with perfumed and -gaudy flowers, and the breeze stirred lazily through the reeds and -grasses along the edge of the water where one could see the clumsy -tortoise, or swift water-rats moving about. - -As she sat in the bow of one of the punts Polly called the attention of -Eleanor to a great bulky tortoise. "Isn't he ugly? Would you believe -that such beautiful things as our tortoise-shell toilet articles could -ever come from that filthy back?" - -"It looks like a scum-covered bit of wreckage from the sea!" declared -Eleanor. - -"There goes one,--swimming down the stream!" called Nancy. - -The girls looked and sure enough! A mud-covered projection floated past -while the weeds which grow from the crevices in the back of the shell, -trailed behind him like dank strips of string. - -The men in the other punts saw the tortoise and this brought forth a -suggestion that they enjoy a day's turtle fishing while they tarried at -Jamaica. Nothing loth, Jack urged Mr. Dalken to accept the offer. - -Hunting the turtle is a varied sport, according to the energy and -sportsmanship of the hunter. The easiest way is that pursued by men who -wish to use the least power and run the least risk of danger to -themselves. These men catch the female just after she has deposited her -eggs on a muddy river bank. They turn her over on her back and render -her helpless until they come to drag her to the pens where they keep -them until exported. - -Other hunters spear the turtles in the open sea, and this is really the -most daring of the hunt, as often a turtle will suddenly make a swift -run to the open sea and drag a harpoon in its track. - -But the method mostly followed is that of snaring the creatures in nets -when they rise to the surface for breath. The men of Jamaica are -experienced turtle hunters, and they follow the net method. - -Early at dawn, the following morning, the Captain called Mr. Dalken and -said the turtle fishermen were alongside waiting for them to go out to -fish. No need of calling twice! Jack Baxter and Ray jumped into old -clothes and in an incredibly short time were on deck, the three elder -men in the party soon followed, and then the natives made room for their -employees. But the Captain had taken orders from Mr. Dalken to slowly -follow in the wake of the boats, in order to give the ladies an -opportunity to watch the hunting. - -Breakfast was quite neglected that morning because the girls were -engaged in watching the sport. From the vantage point of the higher -elevation on the yacht they could watch all without any trouble -whatever. - -There seemed to be quite a fleet of boats, all of which were built by -the natives. The turtle nets were woven of the leaves of the -thatch-palm. The leaf is denuded and the membrane thus left is twisted -into almost unbreakable fibrous cords. When dried, this mesh would have -held the most powerful fish caught in its net. - -There was intense excitement when one of the men in a boat sighted a -deep-sea turtle. Then the others all followed carefully the directions -of the leader in his boat. They came up to the quarry in a semi-circle, -dragging the great net as they approached in shallow water. - -Suddenly the watchers on the yacht saw the heavy net cast and -immediately a desperate thrashing and flopping of about three hundred -pounds of turtle began. The water was lashed to a foam and one boat was -completely capsized by a fin that struck its side. - -Finally the men manipulated the net in such a way that the great turtle -was turned over upon his back; then the flapping of fins, each stronger -than a flail, accompanied by the uncanny sort of moaning from the -reptile, caused vague sympathy from the watchers on the yacht. - -The great creature was dragged in the net by the last boat in the line, -and after strenuous effort was left in the deep-sea pool off the quay. A -quantity of turtle grass was left for the reptile to feed upon, and the -sport for that time was over--all but the paying off of the natives who -had staged the play. - -These same natives had induced Mr. Dalken and his friends to consider a -day's hunting in the alligator swamps just off the Rio Cobra River. The -ladies could not possibly take part in this dangerous sport--not so -dangerous from the jaws of the alligators as from the dreaded miasma -which is continually rising from the hotbeds of typhoid-malarial scums. - -All the warnings and beseechings, to say nothing of the threats, from -the wives of two of the men proved to be of any avail. They were -determined to go! - -When it was found that all prayers left the male contingent of the -yachting party as hard as flint toward any proposition of giving up the -alligator shooting, the ladies suddenly reversed their opinions and did -all possible to hasten the men from the yacht. - -"They have some trick up their sleeves," remarked Mr. Ashby smilingly, -to his companions. - -"You don't think they plan to accompany us in the yacht, do you?" -questioned Mr. Dalken, anxiously. "It would be a great hazard for them." - -"No, not that; but there is no use in asking them what is their plan -because they would come back with the counter proposition for us to -remain here and find out." - -Hence the men in their oldest clothes with rubber boots to their hips -left the yacht. The slimy marshes they would have to wade through would -necessitate the discard of any clothing after the hunt ended. - -The alligator of the West Indies is half-brother to the crocodile of -Africa, though he is not as large as the latter; still, he is large -enough to mutilate a man and quickly kill him. Hence the sport is -fraught with some danger as well as unpleasant experiences from insects -and the malarial localities. - -The natives called at the yacht in a large open boat something after the -pattern of a northern whaler. Having approved of the attire of the -yachtsmen, the guide started the craft for the swamps. At the mouth of -the Rio Cobra lay a flat stretch of mud-colored sand with every now and -then a patch of bushes, scrub-trees and coarse grass. - -"I suppose the reptiles sleep in those watery places, which one can see -glistening through the swamp growth," suggested Mr. Dalken. - -The guide of the party nodded and pointed at what seemed afar to be a -floating log. The Americans looked intently and found the log had -half-closed eyes but an open mouth--open to catch any wandering tidbit -which might be attracted to venture to that gate of sure death. - -"If only we were over there now--we'd bag our first 'gator, eh?" said -Jack, anxiously. - -"No, no, not him! He gone too queeck," replied the guide. - -The boat was anchored and the men climbed out into water which reached -to their waists. Then the guide started out to divide the party into -units. He led the two young men as he must have thought they needed more -careful supervision than the older and more reserved men in the group. - -"Good gracious! Every known pest of an insect must find its home in this -swamp!" exclaimed Ray, as he kept busily whipping away gnats, midges, -mosquitoes, and a myriad of other stinging bugs. - -"Gee! Can't say I care for this stench of rotting wood and decayed -vegetation," laughed Jack, wrinkling his nostrils to keep out the odor. - -Passing through evil-looking stretches of scum, over rotting stumps, -disturbing nests of plagues, and causing swarms of stinging insects to -cover their hands and faces, the two young men finally reached a spot -where the guide suddenly halted. - -"Looka-dere!" he whispered, pointing to an up-thrust of green filth and -scum. - -Jack and Ray stared for a moment in sheer unbelief, then they aimed, -shot, and at the same instant the sickening mass sunk, and all the -hunters could see was a cleavage of the surrounding slime. - -"Too late!" sighed the guide: "Him hear me talk." - -The three resumed their difficult progress farther into the swamp, and -then without notice Jack lifted his rifle, aimed, and an explosion -echoed throughout the place. A great shower of chips and bark rewarded -this exploit, and the guide laughed good-naturedly. - -"Him sure dead log!" remarked he to Jack's discomfiture. - -Finally they halted again and the guide silently pointed to a smaller -heap of scum quite close to what looked like a great tree-trunk fallen -over into the water. Both boys aimed and shot at what they believed to -be a small alligator, and then to their great amazement the _huge_ log -scuttled away, while the small child of the immense mother followed in -her wake leaving a streak of crimson in the stream to tell the hunters -they had missed killing him. - -"We go in here, sit down and watch. Mebbe big 'gator come by." Thus -saying the guide started for a screened spot in the marsh and posted his -followers upon a log which gave them a good view of the surrounding -area. He sat upon the lower end of the tree. - -Jack looked carefully around, and Ray watched a spot that made him think -a submerged alligator might rise up and offer him a good target. Jack -spied a vast depression in the mud bank near his right hand, and the -guide nodded. - -At the moment of Jack's distraction and the guide's nod, Ray pulled the -trigger of his gun and the shot found a true result of that aim. A tiny -alligator came to the surface, half-turned over in the coating of green, -and gasped. At the same time a maddened splashing came through the green -marsh-grass near the dying infant 'gator, and soon an enormous head with -snapping jaws thrust itself from the water. - -The half-crazed mother used her snout to tenderly go over the quivering -body of her child, and when she found it had breathed its last she -lifted the mud-crusted head and gazed balefully around. - -"Queeck! Queeck--shoot!" commanded the guide, taking swift aim and firing -a load at the reptile. But his shot missed because the alligator was -thrashing too wildly across the water and making for the hunters. - -Not ten yards separated the three men who were doomed if they did not -climb out of the reach of those sinister jaws with their double rows of -long white teeth. Her eyes showed what the alligator meant to do to the -murderers of her child, and the very twisting and lightning-like advance -of the huge thing sent a shiver of dread along the spines of the two -young hunters. - -Again the rifle of the guide cracked, and in another moment the guns of -the two Americans sent forth their spurts of red and the yellow streaks -of death right into the opened jaws of the monster. Still she came on -and lifted her vast opened jaw within a foot of Jack's leg. The lashing -tail of the alligator was the only thing which told she had been shot -and was suffering. - -It would have been good-night for the hunter's leg had not the guide -filled the forehead of the reptile with shot--shot that entered between -the eyes and sank into the brain to paralyze further designs on her -enemies. - -With a mighty effort the huge creature lifted herself half out of the -water and flung herself far from the log. The midstream silently covered -her with its green covering and the monster sank from view. - -"Did we kill her?" nervously cried Jack. - -"Her gone! She die, but not here. Where she go we no go!" - -"All right, then, I'm through hunting alligators. After seeing the -frantic grief and mother-love in that awful thing's eyes I could not aim -at another creature in this swamp. You go on with the guide, Ray, but -I'm through!" declared Jack. - -"I say the same, Jack. When you remember the old reptile's snout as she -lovingly went over the carcass of her young, it makes us seem like -brutes, even less soulful than the poor alligator. Come on." - -The guide smiled. He could not understand such sentiments over a vile -alligator, and he felt that he had selected a pair of weak-kneed youths -to take into the swamp. - -"You not fraid of legs! I not let alligator bite you, I swear!" -exclaimed the guide, thinking they were nervous at the close -acquaintance with the mother-'gator. - -But Jack took no trouble to explain. They motioned the man to lead out, -and shortly after the incident had closed the three reached the sandy -shore where the boat had been anchored. - -In the heat of a tropical sun they ate a few rice-cakes and drank warm -water from the canteen, but they had to wait for more than an hour -before the other hunters came back. Meanwhile the guide had followed his -own bent and had gone back into the swamp to secure a trophy. Jack was -glad to find later that he had not seen a single snout. - -The return trip was soon accomplished, but when the boat came to the -place where the yacht had been last seen there was not a sign of the -White Crest. - -"Well, this is what they planned--to give us the slip!" laughed Mr. -Dalken, as he motioned the men to keep on and land them on the wharf of -Spanish Town. - -The hunters returned earlier than had been planned for, hence they had a -tiresome wait at Spanish Town for the appearance of the White Crest once -more. All they could learn by questioning the loafers at the quay was -the fact that the yacht had sailed away. That was self-evident, or else -she had gone down. The latter was too impossible for belief so she -_must_ have sailed away. - -Dinnertime came and passed, still no White Crest. The darkness came over -the water and the squatty houses of Spanish Town, and still no yacht. It -was close to midnight when the impatient watchers, seated on a crude -plank on the wharf, saw a beautiful silvery craft glide up to the mouth -of the river and silently drop her anchor. - -"Well, there she is, but how are we to reach her?" asked the owner, -chewing the end of a cigar. - -"We'll halloo for the Captain to send us the boat," replied Jack, and -immediately Ray and he chorused a loud call for transportation over the -bay. - -The transfer was made and then, man-like, the hunters all clamored for -an explanation. "To think of leaving us stranded all day and half the -night!" exclaimed Mr. Ashby. - -"We thought you planned to be hunting until sundown," said Mrs. Ashby. - -"And of course you would be worn out when you got back and would -appreciate a little quiet on the quay," added Mrs. Fabian, smilingly. - -"Where have you been?" demanded Jack. - -"We've been cooling our heels ever since four o'clock." - -"Perhaps we had the best time then," said Mrs. Courtney. "I certainly -enjoyed myself immensely to-day and this evening." - -"We all did," echoed her companions. "We sailed all round Jamaica and -saw sights which you men would not bother to stop and appreciate. We -have seen the tiny palm-covered coral dots which lift their heads above -the rippling sea and warn us to keep a keen watch for the reefs hidden -under the water. We have had pointed out to us the great mountainsides -where the three hundred thousand black slaves climbed in order to face -the rising sun on the dawn of the day that witnessed their emancipation. -We got birdseye views of the other towns on the Island of Jamaica--Port -Antonio, Montego Bay, and the smaller settlements which dot the island -like so many studs of color. Oh, yes! we had a glorious sail--thanks to -our good Captain." - -"And thanks to the good yacht," laughed Mr. Dalken. - -"We may as well add: thanks to Dalky and his generous invitation to us," -concluded Polly. - -And to the latter motion every one called a unanimous hurrah! - -The following day was given to visiting the cathedral which is the -oldest building on the island. It can show an antiquity of four -centuries and withstood all battles for supremacy of different factions -and nations since 1523. Polly and Eleanor went with Mr. Fabian and Mr. -Ashby to examine and study the old monuments, the style of decoration, -and the many other notable points of interest to architects and -decorators. - -Having ended this visit, the tourists returned to the White Crest and -sailed away, but to stop at Hope Gardens--the Botanical Gardens and a -show-place of Jamaica. There were many other places to be visited, a -list of them showing that some would have to be eliminated. So after -"doing" Belle View, Castleton, and Mandeville, the entire party voted to -say goodby to Jamaica, the Queen of the Antilles, and continue on their -vagabondage. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--MEETING OLD FRIENDS IN PANAMA - - -After leaving Jamaica the Captain asked for instructions as to the -chosen direction and the next stopping place. - -"Well, after once seeing Jamaica, I suppose we have virtually seen every -other island in the Caribbean Group. The flowers, the climate, the -natives, even the employments are all similar if not exactly alike. -There is but one point of interest that is not common to them all, and -that is the volcano of Mont Pelee on Martinique. - -"But volcanoes are no curiosity to Polly because she lives in the crater -of one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the Rockies, so there is no -call for the White Crest to stop at Martinique to show her Mont Pelee," -explained Mr. Dalken. - -"Why not sail along past the different islands of the archipelago and -have a good look at them from our comfortable deck chairs," suggested -Mrs. Courtney. - -This proposition was received with approval and the Captain was advised -to steer a course as close as practical to the coral formations, and, -those islands of volcanic structure, and permit the tourists to see the -Windward Islands without troubling to go ashore. - -Hence the yacht, in its cruise, sailed past Porto Rico, and the long -string of tiny isles connecting that important island with Barbados and -Trinidad. St. Lucia, Dominica, and Martinique were left behind, and then -the Captain changed his course to a westward direction. - -Leaving Venezuela to the southward he sped on for the Canal Zone. The -plan originally made in New York would then be followed as closely as -possible. At Colon the White Crest would anchor until her passengers had -visited all that was to be in that town seen, and then they would go -through the great locks of the Canal and eventually reach the Pacific -Ocean. - -Mr. Dalken and the Captain figured that a week would be ample time in -which to visit everything and come out of the Canal to the Colombia -shore. But they reckoned without the young folks, as usual. - -Soon after the yacht had anchored at Colon, the tourists started to -visit the town. They had not gone far before Jack discovered there would -be a great baseball match at the public park between the United States -army side and the Colon players. His eye caught the names of two members -of the regiment stationed at Panama, and he turned to show them to Ray. - -"Could it possibly be Bill Ainslee and Bob Madden of the A. E. F. in -France?" - -"I did hear something about Bill remaining with the regulars to try -South America. We can't lose out by introducing ourselves, anyway, and -ten to one the boys will turn out to be our old Buddies," said Ray. - -The proposition was made and accepted to go and see the ball game late -that afternoon; the girls felt as much interest in knowing whether or -not the two soldiers at Panama were the ones Jack believed them to be. - -No sooner was the Dalken party seated in the Grand Stand, than Jack and -Ray hurried away. They were gone a long time, and the eager spectators -on the bleachers as well as those in the Grand Stand, had to call and -show impatience at the delay of the opening of the game before the teams -came out. - -Jack and Ray returned to their friends on the Grand Stand. One glance at -their smiling faces told the girls that they had found pals. Jack was -bubbling over with pleasure at the meeting and the plans they had made -for a good time during the visit at Panama. - -"Gee! Bill looks great! He was so white and thin in the trenches over -there, but now he has filled out and looks wonderful. I never dreamed he -would turn out to be so handsome, did you, Ray?" - -"No, but then Bob isn't far behind in looks. It must be this climate -that tans them to such a glorious shade," said Ray. - -"There are other things than tan that this climate does to one," -remarked Mr. Dalken, briefly. The boys laughed and agreed with him. - -"For instance, malaria caught while alligator hunting," said Mrs. -Fabian, because she had heard the men discussing the possibility of -their tired feeling being the result of the swamp visit. - -The game now opened and the girls were all eyes and interest to see the -Panama team win, because Jack happened to know two of the players. -Whether it was the knowledge that four pretty girls were seated in the -Grand Stand watching, or whether it was their usual manner of pitching -and batting, the fact remains that Bill and Bob were the champion -members of the team that day, and carried away the honors. - -After the game ended the two crack players changed their togs and -reappeared in uniform. Jack met them and escorted them to meet Mr. -Dalken's party. Then Polly saw that Jack had not exaggerated one bit -when he had declared his two friends to be decidedly good looking. - -"My! They're more than that, Poll," whispered Eleanor, in breathless -admiration. "I think Bill is just too dear for anything." - -Ray overheard her remark. He grinned teasingly and said: "It's the -uniform, my dear child! If Bob or Bill wore a bell boy's uniform, they'd -look just as good, but you wouldn't think so." - -"Pooh! No such thing!" exclaimed Eleanor, shrugging her pretty shoulders -at Ray. - -"Well, here is Jack and here am I, and I'm sure we are not bad looking, -yet you never said you thought me 'too dear for anything,'" complained -Ray. - -"How could I speak an untruth?" retorted Eleanor, laughing. - -"All right for you! I'll spy upon you after this and when I find you -enjoying a tete-a-tete with a 'dear for anything boy' I'll spoil it--see -if I don't!" Ray threatened but the girls knew he cared not a fig -whether they thought him handsome or not. He was all for a good time and -that was the end of his ambitions. - -"Ray, you don't stand a ghost of a show in the running with Bill or -Bob," declared Jack. "Bill with his French Medal and Bob with his -Decoration for Bravery simply put us out of sight when the girls are on -hand to offer adulation at the shrines of these heroes." - -"Oh, Jack! Tell us--are the two baseball players great heroes of the late -war?" exclaimed Mrs. Courtney, eagerly. - -"There now! Didn't I tell you so!" laughed Jack, winking at his chum. -"Even the adult admirers forget we are on earth the moment one mentions -Bill and Bob." - -"Please, oh, _please_, Jack, tell us the story of, what they did over -there," beseeched Polly. - -"If I were to tell you that tale I'd spoil it in the telling. Better ask -Bill and Bob to tell their own thrillers,--if you really want to hear -something that will compare favorably with those hair-raising -experiences on Grizzly Slide," replied Jack, earnestly. - -During this little side-gossip the two victors in the recent contest -with the Colon players, were engaged in talking to Mr. Dalken. Now they -turned and addressed Jack. - -"Mr. Dalken wishes us to dine on the yacht, but we shall have to ask -permission to do that. I only wish we had a pull with some one, in order -to get several days off. Then we could show you about in great style!" -Bill kept his eyes fixed upon Polly as he spoke, and any one might think -he was addressing her only. Eleanor smiled, but she had failed to turn -and look at Bill's companion. It was Nancy and Ruth who had to smile now -at the attentive manner in which Bob stared at pretty Eleanor, totally -oblivious of the other girls in the party. - -"Oh, Mr. Ainslee, Dalky here is the professional wire-puller of North -America--didn't you know that? I'm sure he can find a string that will -work for you," laughed Polly. - -"Tell me the names of the officers in your regiment, Ainslee, and let me -see if I know them," added Mr. Dalken. - -"There now! Didn't I tell you he could work it?" laughed Polly, while -the other members in the group also laughed at their host's quick -acceptance of the suggestion. - -Having mentioned the various officers and spoken of their individual -tendencies, Mr. Dalken smiled wisely. "Leave the whole matter to me, -boys, and we will win out." - -"Tell us, Dalky! What can you do about tonight?" asked the girls -eagerly. - -"For to-night, I propose having all the officers _and_ the two heroes of -the ball game on the yacht to dinner. They cannot very well say no to -Bill and Bob if they accept for themselves, can they?" - -"Good gracious, Dalky! If you plan to have a dinner party it is high -time we all ran away to prepare for the social event," declared Mrs. -Courtney. This was the first time she had ever used the familiar name -the girls had given Mr. Dalken, but it did not escape Polly's notice. -She gave Eleanor a glance, but Eleanor had been too interested in -learning the outcome of the proposition made by Mr. Dalken. - -"I haven't the slightest hope that our invitation will be accepted for -this evening, as in all probability the officers have made other -engagements for dinner. But it paves the way for me to urge them to give -Bill and Bob leave of absence for to-night. Then I will invite the men -who cannot come to-night, to come as soon as they can make the date. I -believe I have a speaking acquaintance with the Colonel and I hope to -improve our acquaintance while we stop here--then you girls ought to be -able to make the most of this opportunity by winning a few days' -vacation for Bill and Bob." - -"Fine!" exclaimed Eleanor, clapping her hands. "Now you three men hurry -away and see the Colonel." - -Bill and Bob looked at Mr. Dalken and, seeing he was willing to -accompany them, they politely said good-afternoon to the other members -in the party and stood ready to go. - -"There may be strength in numbers, and we are glad to go with you," -hinted Jack, linking an arm in that of Ray and stepping up beside the -host. - -"As far as strength goes I always favor pretty girls for power when one -has to use diplomacy and cunning," laughed Mr. Dalken. - -"Not in this case, however," retorted Bill. "If our Colonel knew the -danger we boys were running by volunteering to walk right up before the -ammunition of beauty, he'd never let us out of his sight." - -"Ha! Mr. Ainslee discovered other things in France besides medals for -bravery!" laughed Mrs. Courtney, shaking a playful finger at him. - -"Medals! Who told you anything about medals?" asked Bill, with genuine -amazement in his voice. - -"A little bird whispered it at my ear," laughed Mrs. Courtney teasingly. - -"I know the bird! We always thought it was a raven over there--from the -way he croaked whenever he had to eat army mess," was the humorous reply -from Bill. - -Midst the general laugh at Jack's expense which followed Bill's speech, -the men left and walked in the direction of the waiting automobile which -had been placed at the ball-players' disposal for the day. - -Polly turned to her friends and said: "Oh, I'm sure Dalky will succeed -in getting them off for a few days. I really believe Dalky can do -_anything_!" - -Eleanor glanced at Mrs. Courtney as Polly spoke, and caught a puzzling -expression which had flashed over that lady's face. In a moment, -however, she was as inscrutable as ever she cared to appear. - -"We may as well go into this shop and have a lemonade while we are -waiting for the returns of the election," suggested Mr. Ashby. - -"Do you think it will take the boys very long to find the officer who -can permit them to get off tonight?" asked Polly. - -"I have an idea that Bill will know exactly where to find his superiors -and not more than half an hour should elapse before they will come -back," returned Mr. Ashby, glancing at his watch. - -"I was about to say--that we should have gone on to the yacht and dressed -for to-night, if they are to be gone as long as that," ventured Polly. - -"I tell you what we might do!" cried Eleanor, plumping her glass upon -the marble slab with such emphasis that the lemonade spattered up and -over her hands. "Leave Mr. Fabian and Mr. Ashby at this corner so the -others can see them upon their return, and we ladies go on to the yacht -and touch up for the evening's fray." - -"That's just what I was about to say," added Mrs. Courtney. - -"Where's the fray? You ladies never thought the superior faction of this -yachting party worthy of captivation before," remarked Mr. Fabian -cynically, albeit he smiled. - -"I should say not! Two old married fogies, two harum-scarum boys, and a -grass-widower!" exclaimed Nancy Fabian. - -A general laugh rewarded Nancy's retort, and Mr. Ashby held up both -hands in a helpless manner. "Oh, for pity's sake, go--GO and touch up for -the young men, or Fabian and I shall have to crawl under the soda -fountain to escape your wit!" - -The girls started up at that and the ladies followed laughingly; soon -they were out of sight on their way to the White Crest and an elaborate -toilette for the dinner party that night. - -"Some one ought to let the chef know Dalky expects to bring back guests -for dinner," ventured Polly to Mrs. Courtney. - -"I think orders have been given," replied she in a quiet tone. - -"Why! How did Dalky know we expected to meet the boys whom Jack and Ray -knew in France?" asked Polly, in astonishment. - -"He didn't. But he did say that he thought it would be very pleasant to -have us meet the officers of the Post stationed at the Canal. It was his -intention to invite them to dine at their first opportunity. Hence he -left orders for the chef to prepare for extra plates every evening while -we are here," explained Mrs. Courtney. - -"Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed Polly, but Eleanor wondered if Mrs. -Fabian and Mrs. Ashby, as well as Mrs. Courtney, knew of this -arrangement. - -Long before the females in the party came from their rooms robed in such -becoming gowns as would distract any young man who, because of army -discipline, had not had many opportunities to enjoy society, the men -came on board and, by the hilarious manner of their conversation, -suggested that _apparently_ they had celebrated the victory of the Army -baseball players in a social drink of native wine. But this was not the -case. Sheer exuberance of spirits, natural not fermented, made the four -boys who had known each other in France, bubble over and sparkle with -wit and fun. - -Mr. Dalken invited Bill and Bob to amuse themselves on deck while he and -his male guests retired and dressed for dinner. Hence the two young men -were lounging in the great reed chairs when Polly and Eleanor appeared. -There was no time for a little flirtation, however, as Mrs. Courtney -came out, looking magnificent in an American Beauty georgette gown, with -her diamond neck-band and pendant earrings sparkling from throat and -ears. Polly gazed in appreciative admiration at the combination of dark -wavy hair, high-colored complexion, and brilliant brown eyes, with the -rich crimson of the dress and the cold white of the diamonds. - -Soon after this the other ladies joined the group on deck and finally -the men came forth in their somber black dinner coats and immaculate -white collars and cuffs. Jack came puffing and fanning himself with his -handkerchief. - -"Well, you girls ought to pay us a tribute for willingly going to the -torture chair to-night. Stiff collars and heavy cloth coats on a torrid -night as this in the Canal Zone!" - -"Nobody asked you to!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Maybe not, but we knew what we would get if we appeared in the lists, -with our friends here in their uniform, and the rest of us in our -tropical togs," returned Jack. - -"Oh, then it is mere pride that drove you to the deed?" asked Polly. - -"No, it was desperate fear!" exclaimed Ray. "What chance would we stand -with a bevy of wonderful orchids and two dazzling hummingbirds--meaning -Bill and Bob, of course,--if we looked like sparrows from the city -streets?" - -Every one laughed. "Orchids are too good to be forgotten," added Polly; -"every time I see an orchid hereafter I shall remember that, for once in -my lifetime, I was compared to the rare and beautiful flower." - -"Rare in New York, perhaps, but anything but rare down here!" retorted -Jack. - -"Oh, pshaw! Why spoil such a lovely compliment with the truth," -remonstrated Mrs. Courtney. - -The constant teasing and darts of wit between Jack and Ray on the one -side and Polly and Eleanor on the other, had been one source of -amusement and perpetual fun for the tourists in Mr. Dalken's party, and -now that Bill and Bob had joined the others on deck that night, the -quick repartee seemed tossed back and forth like a tennis ball between -clever players. - -A man servant now came over to announce dinner, and then, for the first -time, Polly realized that the officers who were to be invited to dinner -had not appeared. - -"Where is the Colonel, Dalky?" asked she, wonderingly. - -"Couldn't find him anywhere, but I secured the acceptance of the other -officers for dinner to-morrow night," explained he. - -"You did more than that, Dalky!" declared Jack, with a delighted glance -at Bill and Bob. "You got the boys three days' leave while we are -stationed here." - -"Oh, really! Goody, goody!" cried several young voices in a chorus of -joy. - -"And an invitation for all to attend the usual weekly hop to-morrow -night, but I can't see for the life of me how any one can dance with the -thermometer pushing the top of the mercury out of the tube," grumbled -Jack. - -"Listen to him! Any one would think he isn't the maddest one of the -group when dancing is to be had!" laughed Mr. Dalken. - -After finishing the first course, the host turned to his two new guests -and said: "We are on the griddle for the tale of your experiences in -France, boys. I know the girls have had difficulty in curbing their -feminine curiosity to hear of your exploits." - -Both young men flushed, but Bob managed to say: "Bill, here, is the -crack story-teller. I always take a back seat when he is on hand to do -the honors for both." - -Therefore Bill was deluged with demands for the story, and having -cleared his throat in a self-conscious way, he began. - -But his preparations were ruined at that moment, when the Belgian lad on -the yacht, now unexpectedly introduced a diversion. He had approached -with a laden tray, in order to assist the man servant who had charge of -the dinner party, but when he saw the two young men in uniform, he -immediately sat the tray upon the floor and ran over to fall upon Bill's -neck. - - - - -CHAPTER XII--THE TALE TOLD BY THE BELGIAN - - -"Agh, mine goot savior! Mine beeg fine frent! I feel so full to choy dat -I must cry!" The Belgian acted exactly like an overjoyed mastiff when -his master returns from a long absence. - -"Why, Johann! This _is_ a surprise," cried Bob, rising from his chair -and joining Bill who still remained pinned in the arms of the happy -foreigner. - -The others in the party at the dinner table watched with amazement as -the little tableaux came to a finish. - -"Now that Johann is on the stage, it is most appropriate that he tell -the story of our adventures in France. For, be it known to all present, -Jo was with us when we first went over with the Canadian boys, and it -was Jo's mother who nursed me after I got away from the Hun temporary -prison in Belgium." - -Bill now turned to Johann and made him understand that he was to tell -those around the table of the adventures of the three buddies. Mr. -Dalken immediately placed a chair for Johann, but that worthy felt he -could talk louder and gesticulate better if he stood upon his long -staunch legs. - -"Agh! Dat wass beeg times--ven we fight so fine for my countree, eh? But -now--agh! poor Johann iss no more dan a keetchen boy." - -The great big fellow shook his head despairingly and had it not been -that he was deadly in earnest over the complaint, his audience would -have laughed at such a dire circumstance as his being a kitchen boy. - -"Yah! I tells dat story fine, Beel! Now hear me: Von day in ver early -morning, I am sent to find someting to eat fer my mudder and seek -seester. I like to belong to a solger's life but eferyone say I too -younk and I got'ta tak care ofer my family. Dis time I hear one farmer -got a beeg peeg what he not like the Huns to eat, and he sent me vord to -come carry him off and help to keel him. - -"Veil, I go so far on one road dat I think pretty soon thet farm he come -up and show himself, but I finds onny black smokin' ruins wherever I go. -When I think I been gone far enough on one road I say to myself: 'Jo, -now go dis way--mebbe dat man live down dis way.' I take him. But I not -find a farm--I find plenty Huns what sit and laff and eat pork what dey -fry ofer a wood fire. - -"I smell dat pork and I know now dey eat dat peeg what my farmer fren -send vord to me to come keel for my mudder. So I go right up to dem six -fat enemy, and I speak right out in him face and tell him what I feel. -Mebbe dey don't laff so much at me dat one man he say: 'Ketch him and -slit his gullet. He make a fine beeg dinner next time we eat!' - -"Veil, and so, anudder Hun come ofer and stick out a hand to hoi' my -arm, but I shake him off like I feel he insult me. Den one fat feller -what looks like a boss, calls out for him to put me in the peegpen where -two more prisoners they keep. - -"Queeck like anything four Huns ketch hold on me and push me in a leetle -pen where I see here my good fren' Beel and my nudder fine fren' Bob. We -tree mus' live in a peeg pen all night, and nex' day dose fat enemy tink -to take us to a prison in heem own countree. But I tink difrunt. - -"I say to Beel here, 'Six Huns, tree white man. Six what so fat dey no -jump, and tree of us what lean like famine.' But we got good arm, and we -stay in dat peeg pen all night and fix up sometings what make our enemy -fall down er run like nudding. - -"All night we vork and pull old wood from dat peeg pen and viles our -enemy sleep we fix up our cloobs. I mix oop so much peeg-mud in big -cannon balls like anyt'ing, and Beel he laffs so much he falls down. Bob -here he not laff so much but he grin all over cause we got such a fine -way to shoot dem enemy and run away. - -"Veil, Beel say dis Hun bunch what he call foratch scouts--dem what -should go out and bring in eat stuff. But dis crowd sit and eat what dey -find, and so mebbe dey got'ta go back in the morning. Anyway, I hear the -boss say late dat night, 'You two go back and report in the mornin'--no -food yet. We four go on and keep huntin' for more. See!' - -"Yes, two men see, and I see, too! Dat's ven I tell my plans and we vork -hard all night. - -"Pretty soon, when daylight comes ofer the sky, two men hurry off, and -leaves four enemy to me. I got efery plan fixt so I tel Beel and Bob to -be retty to hit dem cloobs hard, soon as I fire my soft mud-balls right -in dem beeg fat faces of dem Chermans. Den I fixes plenty soft--ah, so -soft--peeg-pen dirt-balls on my left arm, and I comes out sofly to where -the Boss rolls on the grass asleep, and I stuff most his face and his -mout' all full of peeg-mud. Same time I fire mud-bullets all in the face -of dem udder tree solgers, whiles Beel and Bob come right off me and -whack! Bang! down coom dem peeg cloobs on top off dose Hun's heads. One, -two, fall down on the ground, and the Boss he got what Beel calls -bracelets put on his hands, queeck. Bob he find dem right by the side of -dat Boss, so he use 'em right! - -"Veil, one man what stands oop, and dat Boss, we mek to walk queeck--oh -so queeck--for the army what sits off away from the Hun side. And pooty -soon, we march ofer No Man lant and Beel yell like he was mad. Eferybody -mek such a beeg time ofer me, and Beel and Bob say I must go to tell the -Capataine all about dem peeg mud-shots. So we go and Capataine laff, oh -he laff, and he say: 'Give Johann all the food he can take to his -family.' - -"But I say: 'Agh, no, Mr. Capataine! All dem enemy now like to ketch Jo -and find out how to mek peeg cannons, and I nefer again see my seester -and mudder. Mebbe I like much better to dress oop like my seester and -ride back to home in a peasant cart, yes?' - -"Efery body laff again and say yes. So I find Beel here to go to get me -a gurl's dress, and I put him on. But Jo not so beeg den as now, and dat -dress go on pooty goot, eh, Beel?" - -Thus appealed to Bill agreed, but the hardly controlled laughter of the -audience now pealed forth and the narrator could not be heard for a few -moments. Then he resumed his tale. - -"All right! Beel and Bob find me a seat in a Belgium peasant cart what -drivin' back home, and I sit like a nice beeg gurl on a seat and call -her mudder. I find goot luck dat time, cause no Hun stop me and no one -take the beeg dinner what Capataine pack for my family. - -"Mebbe my mudder not cry tears for joy when I come in all dressed oop -like my seester, and my seester she laff and say: 'Now I got a fine new -dress to wear.' - -"Veil, I tell my mudder I got'ta go join Beel's friend's in dis fight. I -find I beeg enuff to take prisoner by my enemy, so I beeg enuff to -fight, too! My mudder cry, and my seester say. 'Oh, vere shall we find -help?' En I say: 'Leaf this old house 'cause soon it make fire for my -enemy to cook peegs, and you run so fast what you can to my onkel's in -Bruges.' So dey run an' I coom back to fight wid Beel. And so dat's -all." - -As he concluded his story, Johann instantly stooped and took the -abandoned tray. He quickly transferred its contents to the table and -turned to hurry back to the kitchen without waiting for applause from -his interested audience. At the same moment the Oriental chef came down -the deck and brandished a long wooden spoon. Johann saw and grinned. He -half turned to Mr. Dalken and said in a most laughable way: "My enemy -cooms!" - -Then he scuttled away down the other side of the craft, and the chef -stood and shook an angry fist in his direction. But the Oriental heard -the loud laughter from those seated at table, and saw their pleased -faces and he surmised that Johann must have been the cause of it. Hence -he hurried back to his culinary heaven to question the servant and learn -what had so amused the guests. - -"Jo hasn't told half the story," declared Bob, as the merry laughter -subsided. - -"No, he skipped anything that went to tell you what a loyal man he was, -and how he fought for country as well as for us, his friends." Bill -seemed to go back and mentally review the incidents. - -"Then it is up to you to tell us, Bill," said Jack. - -"Perhaps we have a hero with us who should have had a decoration. I -believe in giving honor where honor is due, and Jo shall have everything -that's coming to him," said Mr. Dalken. - -"Well, the Croix de Guerre which I wear belongs to Jo, according to all -rules of the game, but it fell to my lot to get it, and to Jo's lot to -get the shell in his leg," said Bill. This caused a demand for the -story, and Bill began. - -"Bob and I volunteered at midnight to hunt on No Man's Land for the -officer who had important orders in the breast pocket of his uniform. He -went out that afternoon with his men but was reported missing upon our -return. No one saw him fall, nor had he been seen captured by the enemy -with whom we had a mix-up. This was soon after Jo returned from home to -link his future with that of the Canadian Troops. - -"We managed to crawl unseen all over the same ground where we had the -skirmish late that afternoon, but not a sign of the lieutenant could we -see. Finally Bob lifted his head and nodded at what had seemed to me to -be a heap of debris. - -"'It's a ruin,' whispered Bob. 'I don't remember seeing it there this -evening.' - -"'You didn't, Bob. It was a little barn when last we came out here,' -replied I. - -"'Then a shell must have smashed it since. Could the Left, have been -near it, do you think?' Bob's tone suggested possibilities, so I -silently agreed to follow him. - -"We crept along, slowly and carefully, fearful of a surprise at any -moment, for the enemy were out that night as well as others, and they -might be seeking in this ruin, exactly as we purposed to seek for -missing pals. - -"We reached the heap of stones and plaster without interruption and then -we felt we could breathe better. The barn fell so that some of the -timbers caught in the ends of others and stuck up after the manner of -loose jack straws. Under this small hollow pyramid was enough shelter -for both of us, and we crept there hoping to hide and plan our return. - -"To my horror I came in contact with a cold face, and after discreetly -feeling over the body I found it to be a Hun. We heaved a sigh of relief -to find it was not our Lefty. But close upon that relief came a shock: A -groan from under the timbers. - -"'Look out for a surprise!' warned Bob, and I nodded. - -"But we had no time to lose in wariness, for immediately after the moan -we heard a German cursing fluently. The voice was not the same. I soon -made my way into the impromptu cave and there discovered our officer, -pinned down by a timber and quite unconscious. It was his moan we had -heard. Almost within arm's reach of him, the Hun soldier was pinned down -also, but he could not move his body even though he was mad to drive his -spike into our Lefty's unconscious heart. - -"In a few shakes we had the German tied securely and the timbers lifted -from our officer. Then we planned to return with the injured man upon -our backs. The enemy we were hoping to drive before us into camp, but he -objected so strenuously that we feared detection if we insisted. It was -more important to get the officer back and leave the Hun. Yet we did not -care to murder him in cold blood, and he refused to go quietly. We -decided to bang him over the head with one of the logs, and when -senseless we could drag him after us. Even this seemed unnecessary risk -at the time, so we made him understand that we would shoot him down in -his track if he refused to creep ahead of us as commanded. He knew that -he ran the danger of fire from both sides should we be discovered on No -Man's Land, yet he was daring enough the moment we had started on our -way to try and expose us to that double fire. In fact, he figured that -there would be but one German less if all were killed, but there would -be three men of his enemy's side lost. But he failed in his little plot. - -"We had not advanced ten feet, I was carrying the officer upon my back -as I managed to worm my way after Bob, when we heard a small unit of -Germans coming from the other direction. They, too, were creeping, -creeping stealthily, in order to find their lost companions. -Fortunately, we had gagged the Hun who went in advance of me, and he -could not shout, but he could kick up such a racket on the ground with -his feet that it must attract attention in the stillness of the night. - -"That made Bob so mad that he stood right up, grabbed the Hun and -hustled him back again to the ruin. I had no choice but to turn with my -load and return also. We had hardly reached this comparative security -when the Germans who were out to find their comrades, heard us and -reached the spot we had just abandoned. - -"'They'll be in here next!' whispered Bob. 'Got your gun ready?' - -"I had placed the officer back under the low shelter of the fallen -timbers, and then roped the Hun to a huge post, which had been a corner -stud of the barn, leaving the gag in his mouth; his head and his arms -secured, to prevent his chewing the ropes or fumbling with his harness. -Then I took my station near the aperture by which any one would have to -enter the ruin. Bob squatted on the other side of the heap. - -"We had not long to wait. In only too short an interval, the heads of -our enemy came into view. They were not as circumspect as Bob and I had -been, for they did not advance with guns cocked and ready, hence I found -it an easy matter to pluck the gun directly out of the hand of the first -comer. At the same moment, as if he caught my idea, Bob fell upon him -and closed his mouth with a big flat hand. The surprised man was so -frightened that he forgot to yell for help, and his other two comrades -came on without warning until it was too late to retreat. - -"The captured man did give a cry but it was muffled and so -unintelligible that his pals might have taken it to come from prisoners -he had found within the ruin. But the two who followed the first capture -were alert, and poked the muzzles of their rifles almost in my face -without being able to see what they were up against. I dropped suddenly -and rolled over against the hulk of the man who came first. The blow -against his legs and in the pit of his stomach made him double over me -and go headlong into the Hun who sat roped against the post. Instantly I -was on him and had him at a disadvantage. It took but a jiffy to force -back his arms and make him let go his clutch on the gun. I laughed at -the simple task we had had, when right behind me sounded the report of a -rifle. It was so close to my head that I jumped and let go the hold on -my prisoner. - -"But the bullet meant for me found its rest in the German I had just -released. He rolled over with a groan, and I turned to fight the third -man whose gun I thought had fired at me. To my astonishment I saw Johann -in silent combat with the enemy. He had crept in just in time to see the -Hun aim at me, and he had jumped the man so unexpectedly that the rifle -went off wild and hit the wrong man. - -"In a few seconds we had all the prisoners roped and willing to follow -wherever we commanded--even to the ends of the earth. And Jo insisted -upon taking our officer upon his own broad back. We managed to secure -the Lieutenant to his back by means of bits of harness found in the -ruins of the old barn, and having secured the important order in my own -breast-pocket, we started out, driving the four prisoners before us. - -"It was almost dawn when we reached our own line, and great was the -welcome we got as we came in 'bringing our sheaves with us.' But, as I -say, Bob and I got the medals, for doing what really Johann brought to a -pass. Without his presence at the very moment when he was needed most, I -would have been a dead man and Bob would have been at the mercy of three -lively Huns. And it was Jo who turned the table for us." - -When Bill had finished his story, the girls cheered for Jo. He was just -approaching with the next course, but when he saw all the eager smiling -faces turned his way, and realized that Beel had told the story of the -old ruins, he set the heavy tray upon the seat of a chair and fled. -Scouts were sent to find him and bring him back, but not a trace of him -could they see. He had found a better hiding place than his seester's -dress in which he had travelled back to his home in Belgium that day. - -"Well, let's finish our dinner, children, and then we will take up the -hunt for Jo. It will be better fun than hunting the slipper," remarked -Mr. Dalken. - -The dinner continued merrily, every one pleased at the discovery of a -real hero on the crew of the yacht, and Mr. Dalken pleased to hear of -Jo's courage and simple childlike bravery without thought of recompense. -But he also had a plan. - -Later in the evening, while the young folks were dancing and trying -their best to forget the warm climate of the Equator, Mr. Dalken slipped -away and remained absent for some time. He had gone to find Jo and have -a heart to heart talk with him. - -Thus he learned that Jo had signed up to take this voyage in order to -earn more money to send to his sister who now was in a French hospital -in the north of France, suffering from nervous collapse and lack of -nutrition. His aged mother had died from exposure at the time the enemy -had swarmed over Belgium and had driven every native forth from home and -friends. - -"Well, Jo, I am going to communicate with a relative who is doing -reconstruction work in France now, and I shall ask her to visit your -sister and see if she is able to travel. If she is I shall send her the -money to bring her over to you, and henceforth you shall work for me--not -for the Captain, or the chef, or any other boss, but for me. Do you like -the plan?" - -Johann sat and stared for a few moments, then he jumped up and shouted. -"Do I like heem! Oh, Meester Boss, I _love_ heem! And my seek -seester--ah, I love you, Beeg Boss!" And to Mr. Dalken's astonishment -Johann threw both arms about his neck and wept tears of joy upon the -nice black dinner coat. - -But Mr. Dalken never mentioned this to others, for he appreciated the -embrace which came spontaneously from the heart of this great big giant -of a young Belgian whose gratitude was unbounded. And he took Johann's -hand and shook it in a friendly way, to seal the compact. Just as he -ended the hand-shaking, the chef came in. - -"O-oh, Hon'able Master, muchee warm t'night! Most hon'able company feel -plenty sweat mebbe--me pour nice cool jlink, eh, Hon'able Boss?" - -"I wish you would, please, and throw in plenty of ice," laughed Mr. -Dalken, turning and leaving the little room. - -"Come, now, Mos' Hon'able So'jer in French--pour plenty ice for our Mos' -Hon'able Boss," commanded the chef, thus placing Johann upon a pedestal -from which he could look down upon all the other members of the crew -thenceforth and forever. For the Oriental had heard the story of the -medals and bowed down in hero worship and named Jo "Mos' Hon'able Jo" -thereafter. To the delighted Belgian it was as acceptable an honor as -the medal was to "Beel." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--HIGH LIFE AT THE CANAL - - -After the first day at the Canal Zone, not one member of Mr. Dalken's -party had time in which to plan for anything beyond the Canal. Bill and -Bob returned late that first night and reported to their companions at -the Barracks that "Beeg Jo" was on board the White Crest; the officer -who had been rescued and carried back to camp on Johann's back during -the world war was now one of the officers in charge of the American Post -at Panama. Thus one can readily understand the result of such -information. - -All the second day the tourists were entertained by Bill and Bob, and -were shown about the country in touring cars which had been pressed into -service by the eager youths. Not only did the yacht-party see everything -worth seeing at Colon and Cristobal, but they saw more of the country -round about the Atlantic side of the Canal than most visitors do who -land there. - -After dinner that night the entire party was escorted to the Hop at -Government Headquarters, where dancing formed the programme of the -evening's entertainment. The coolness of the air made the dancing all -the more enjoyable, and the visitors declared they had never had such a -pleasant time. - -Before the ladies said good-night to return to the yacht the government -men had promised them an aeroplane trip the next morning. Mr. Dalken -demurred somewhat when it was first proposed, but his objections were -soon overruled by the girls who were thrilled at the prospect of going -up in a great army plane. - -Finally it was agreed that Mr. Dalken with his two men friends should go -up first and test the safety of the plane. If he felt assured that it -was quite safe for younger persons he would consent to their going up. - -The entire party made for the field where the hangars of the two 'planes -were to be seen. One 'plane was a small affair which carried but two -passengers, but the other 'plane was a large one with a capacity for -seven passengers besides the engineer and his assistant. - -The air sail of about twenty minutes was completed and Mr. Dalken landed -again upon terra firma. It was his first flight of any distance or -height, and he had enjoyed it thoroughly. He was enthusiastic in his -praise of the manner in which the 'plane had been handled by the -experienced men. - -But a sudden darkness swept over the sky and the natives were seen to -scamper off for shelter, while the officers and aeronauts hastened their -guests to the hangars until the squall of rain should be over. It fell -just as it had fallen one day at Jamaica; it came down in torrents for a -few minutes, then the sun shone forth again in dazzling brightness. - -The girls were eager to get into the aeroplane and take their trip, but -the pilot looked troubled and shook his head. - -"What is the matter, Bill?" asked his companion. - -"I don't like the looks of the sky--we're not through with the squall, -I'm thinking." - -"I think it would be heaps of fun to be above the clouds when it rains -down here," ventured Eleanor, coaxingly, to Mr. Dalken. - -"You wouldn't say that if you ever went up while a tropical squall -twisted the plane this way and that," remarked Bob, who had heard her -speech. - -"I'm afraid we shall have to call it off for today, ladies," announced -the pilot, with evident regret in his tone. - -"Well, then, we shall have all the more to look forward to to-morrow," -returned Polly, pleasantly, but Eleanor was annoyed at the delay. - -"I don't see why the nasty old weather had to come just now and spoil -all the fun!" pouted she. - -"As long as we do not advise taking the ladies up to-day, why not come -with us for a visit to our sugar plantation," suggested Bob. - -"What is there to see there?" pouted Eleanor, still angry. - -"Well, Bill and I have staked a little cane plantation over there and we -haven't inspected our property for two weeks. We were so busy practicing -for the ball game, and then you came on the scene. If you've never -visited a sugarcane plantation it will prove to be interesting, I'm -sure." - -As nothing else had been planned to take the place of the aeroplane trip -that day, the girls accepted the offer to inspect the small plantation. - -Having traveled swiftly over the rich country where so little farming -was done because of the exhausting heat, and the prolific crops of -nature-grown fruits and herbs, the two seven-passenger cars came to a -very pretty place. Bill and Bob who were driving, turned in to a rough -road more like a country lane, and passed acres of cane sugar. The two -young owners pointed with pride to their property, and well they might. - -"The man of whom we leased this acreage said he had a yield of from six -to eight tons of sucrose an acre every year. But he had more land than -he could cultivate, hence he leased us this acreage and agreed to keep -an eye on our men and the work, whenever he could. The richness of the -soil and the climate gives the cane grown here an unusual amount of -saccharine to the acre," Bill explained, as his hearers looked over the -vast fields of cane and admired his ambitions. - -"Gee, Bill! I don't know but that I'll go in with you boys on sugar -raising. I'm sure I'd like it down here," said Jack Baxter. "How about -it, Ray, want to go fifty-fifty in this?" - -Mr. Dalken laughed heartily. "If Ray knows you as well as I do, he'll -understand that you fall for every new project placed before you. If -some one caught you in the right mood and told you that your fortune was -to be had in digging a Canal through South America, from the Pacific to -the Atlantic, you'd agree with them and start in to dig. But you'd get -tired of it in a week and shirk the work." - -"Why, Dalky, you slander my ideals!" declared Jack. - -"Do I? What about Grizzly Slide and your determination to take up mining -out on the peaks of the Rockies? Then in New York you went so far as to -furnish an apartment for the sake of studying interior decorating," said -Mr. Dalken. - -"Oh, no, Dalky!" laughed Eleanor, quickly. "He never furnished that -apartment for the study of furniture, but only for the study of Polly." - -As this temporary infatuation of Jack's for Polly had been one of the -amusing incidents of the past year, his friends all laughed merrily. - -"Well, Mr. Dalken, no need to worry lest Jack buy out a partnership -share with us, because we haven't anything to sell. We leased the -plantation on a basis which forbids any one sinking money in the scheme. -If this year's cane turns out well, and we reap any profits, then we -shall feel like moneyed men--not now." - -As the cars drove on to visit the large plantation of the man who had -leased the small one to the soldier boys, the latter explained that cane -took about twelve months to mature; then after the first cutting another -crop came on; the second crop was called ratoons. Sometimes it was -possible, weather and cane both agreeing, to cut a third crop. - -From the plantations Bill and Bob drove their guests to the big mills -where the grinding was done. The cars passed several huge stand-pipes -which were filled with water from artesian wells. This water was carried -over the plantations in pipes and at regular intervals there was an open -flume. Into the conduit the water was emptied daily and this form of -trough carried the necessary moisture down the rows of cane to which it -gave the stipulated quantity of water. All this work was regulated by -automatic appliances easily handled and kept in order. - -Bob now explained the method of planting cane. "They do not use seed, -you know. The stalk is cut into sections of about two feet in length and -these pieces are dropped into furrows and covered with soil." - -At the mill the visitors saw great piles of cane: some being cut, some -being stripped, and some being piled upon great flat trucks all waiting -to be taken to the freight cars which would carry them to the boats at -Panama or at Colon. - -The noise made by the great machines as they crushed, rolled, or poured -the sugar from the cane, made conversation impossible. Bill next led his -friends along beside the carrier which constantly moved the cane through -the trough to feed the crushing machine. At the other side of this great -machine the sweet juice poured forth in torrents. - -The next process was that of pumping the cold juice into hot pans and -then boiling the contents by steam. The skimming and liming work, and -finally the feeding into the drying pans by means of coils of pipes, -proved interesting but very tiresome because the heat of the mill was -suffocating to the Northerners. Late in the afternoon the cars sped back -to Colon and the two young planters were induced to stay to dinner on -the White Crest. - -"To-morrow we will take you up in the 'planes and have you enjoy a long -ride, your last day at our Post," remarked Bob at dinner. - -"I feel perfectly safe in permitting the girls to go after having been -up and seeing for myself how careful you boys are," replied Mr. Dalken, -graciously. - -"I never thought I would enjoy a ride in the air, as I have always felt -timid about going up in a 'plane," said Mr. Fabian. "But I am so -thrilled by the trial that I want Mrs. Fabian to try it." - -"No, thank you, sir! I am quite satisfied with good old Mother Earth," -laughed his wife. - -Thus it happened on the following day that the two older ladies in the -party preferred to stay down, but Mrs. Courtney and the girls, together -with Jack and Ray, went forth to meet the aviators on the plain where -the government hangars stood. They had two 'planes waiting and ready for -the sail. A large seven-passenger machine and a smaller one which held -the pilot and two others. - -Into the large 'plane went Mrs. Courtney and Nancy Fabian and Ruth -Ashby, after them went the two young men, Jack and Ray. At last the -pilot Bob and his mechanician got in. Bill with Polly and Eleanor got in -the small 'plane. - -As the two aeroplanes began to ascend, Mr. Dalken called out: "Don't go -far! And don't remain away more than half an hour!" - -Those left behind stood and talked with a few of the army men who had -accompanied Bill and Ray to the field. But after waiting for half an -hour and no signs of returning 'planes could be seen or heard, the men -said they thought Bill and Bob had descended near Panama in order to -treat their company to afternoon tea. - -Soon after this Mr. Dalken heard the faint far-off sound of a motor in -the air, but no sight of it could be seen. Finally a speck was visible -in the sky and in a short time the large 'plane descended upon the -field, but not one vestige of the smaller one. - -"Why!" exclaimed Bob, after he had assisted the ladies to get out of his -'plane. "Aren't the others back yet?" - -"No, did you miss them?" asked Mr. Dalken. - -"I don't know which direction Bill went. We tried to keep up with them, -but that little 'plane is a hum-dinger for speed and it soon outstripped -us. The last we saw of it was when it was speeding over Miraflores -lock--right after that it disappeared and we saw no more of it. I flew -over the same place but it was not there." - -"I hope nothing happened to them!" ventured Mrs. Courtney anxiously. - -Before the group could decide upon any action, the sky suddenly clouded -over again and the rain began to empty the rest of its water upon the -section where the most damage might be done. Hence the aeroplane was -rushed into its hangar and the storm-stayed visitors hurried into the -empty hangar usually occupied by the small 'plane. - -It was almost six o'clock when the rain ceased and permitted the -tourists to return to their vessel. Jack and Ray went to the barracks -with Bob because they were invited guests to dinner that evening. - -Seven o'clock rang and darkness began to fall, yet no word had come from -the absent aviators and every one began to worry over what might have -befallen them. - -"If we do not hear from them within the hour I shall go after them. The -trains will probably run to Panama all night, and I will go there first -and start a general search," said Mr. Dalken. - -The rain had ceased entirely now, and the night settled down, but no -word or return of the absent girls. Then Mrs. Courtney took Mr. Dalken -aside and made a suggestion. - -"Suppose you accompany me to the telegraph station at Colon? From there -we will send out wires to all the small and large stations on the line -of the Canal. We may hear from some one in that way, and should we not -get any favorable report you can go on to Panama." - -With a few words of explanation the two then left the White Crest and -made their way to the station at Colon. Here they asked many questions -of the telegraph operator and found out that there were many places all -along the Canal where the stranded aviators might have secured shelter -during the storm and also for the night. - -But Mrs. Courtney said she would feel better if the messages were sent -broadcast in order to reach some one who would reply. Hence they began -to fill out the blanks for the man to use. Just as they had decided what -to write, the instrument in the office began to click. - -"I think this wire is from your two girls; is your name Mr. Dalken, from -the yacht called the White Crest?" asked the man. - -"Yes, yes! what do they say?" exclaimed Mr. Dalken anxiously. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--IN AND ABOUT PANAMA - - -"Now what do you think of that!" exclaimed Mr. Dalken, after reading the -message he had received from the stranded aviators who had landed beyond -the last lock of the Canal Zone. - -Mrs. Courtney took the message and read it to herself, then murmured: -"This is disappointing: I did so want to have the girls on board when we -went through the locks." - -"Well," sighed Mr. Dalken, "we may as well give orders to the Captain to -start early in the morning and meet the runaways at Panama--as Polly says -in her telegram." - -"If only she had told us where they would stop overnight, we could wire -there and tell them to get back here immediately. They should be able to -use the railroad, as long as they have been able to get to a telegraph -station," said Mrs. Courtney, a trifle annoyed at such inconsideration -on the girls' part. - -"I think we will give them their way this time, and have them miss the -gorgeous trip through the Canal. It will serve them good and right!" -declared Mr. Dalken, also impatient at such doings. - -But the "girls"--meaning Polly and Eleanor--had no cause for -disappointment or impatience. In the first place they did not see how -they were to be held accountable for the aeroplane's engine failing to -work just about the time they reached the vast park which borders both -sides of Miraflores Lock. In fact, they considered it an act on the part -of Providence that the 'plane had such a wonderful stretch of lawn upon -which to descend, instead of falling down in Gatun Lake, or upon the -rocky hills to be seen everywhere around. - -Because of an easy conscience, therefore, the two girls enjoyed an -unusual dinner at an interesting old Spanish restaurant in Panama; and -then accompanied the young aviator,--who had successfully brought his -disabled 'plane to the nearby park before mentioned,--to the Tivoli -Hotel, where a professional chaperone agreed to look after them in order -to satisfy Mrs. Courtney's concession to social requirements. - -"I think I shall have to be running along, ladies, if I am to have that -'plane ready for work in the morning," declared Bill, as they reached -the hotel verandah. - -"And you really think it will take the yacht from five to seven hours to -make the trip through?" asked Polly, anxiously. - -"Oh, yes! Even if everything runs smoothly, which it seldom does, you -know, where we have to depend upon native labor to drive the mules and -tow the boats. Better allow seven hours, at least, I think." - -"And you hope to be here for us at ten?" added Eleanor. - -"At ten, unless the engine goes on strike again," laughed Bill. - -"Well, then, you hurry along and forbid a strike, while we go to bed. -I'm tired with all the day's excitement," said Polly, trying to stifle a -yawn. - -Thus unceremoniously sent about his business, Bill laughed and lifted -his cap. In another minute he was out of sight down the old cobbled -street. - -Polly and Eleanor found it quite unnecessary to be rocked to sleep that -night; and it seemed but a few moments after they fell asleep before a -knock on the door of their suite roused them to action. It proved to be -a message from Bill, left at the hotel in his passing by to have -breakfast. The message told the girls the 'plane was in fine condition -for their return trip that morning. - -The girls dressed hurriedly and then hastened to the diningroom to -breakfast. By nine-thirty they were awaiting their escort who called for -them shortly after they came out upon the wide piazza. - -As they passed through the ancient old city of Panama they were -interested in various sights which Bill pointed out and about which he -told the prevalent legends. - -After they reached the aeroplane, now waiting upon a stretch of sandy -field near the Canal Park, Bill assisted the girls to their places and -advised them to adjust their veils as he proposed making a speedy flight -in order to meet the yacht before it had gone very far on its trip -through the locks. - -Soon, thereafter, the girls were looking down upon a bird's-eye view of -the old Spanish town they had just left. The 'plane followed the course -of the canal, while the aviator pointed out Gatun Lock and the big dam, -with the concrete work built on a tremendous scale. The white walls -contrasted beautifully with the sweeps of smooth, green, velvety turf -which stretched from the canal on both sides to the low foot hills of -the dark, blue mountains beyond. There were six locks in all, with the -canal between looking like an ordinary stream to the girls in the -aeroplane. And the negroes, with their mules working at the locks, -appeared like busy, black ants on the earth far below. - -The crew on the White Crest caught sight of the aeroplane before Polly -and Eleanor saw the yacht; the captain saluted the fliers with a shrill -blast of the siren and attracted Bill's attention. After that the 'plane -hovered near the vessel as it made its way through the locks and finally -came out into the Bay of Panama. - -Bill landed his passengers safely, and conducted them to the pier where -the White Crest was anchored. - -Of course, the girls were scolded well by Mr. Dalken, who said he had -aged twenty years because of them and their escapades, but the laugh -which greeted this statement was not very sympathetic. - -Finally Bill reluctantly bid the yachting party goodbye and returned to -his 'plane in order to reach the Atlantic side and the government -offices as soon as possible. - -The heat during the early part of the afternoon was overpowering, hence -one and all agreed to remain on the yacht until the air became cooler. -But instead of riding at anchor the yacht circled the Bay in order to -find a breeze. - -"Bill told us that whales in the Gulf of Panama were quite a common -sight, but I forgot about it until just now," remarked Polly. - -"We'll watch for one to-morrow when we sail away," said Ruth, eagerly. - -The sunset that evening was superb but it was difficult to say that, in -the South during that trip, there were any clear evenings without its -beautiful sunset. - -Twilight swept a soft gray mantle up from the sea and covered the -shoreline from view before the party went indoors to the saloon; then -Mr. Dalken called for the attention of his friends. - -"I have been studying this map carefully," began he, waving a memorandum -which he held in his hand; "and I find that there are very few decent -ports for us to make between here and Quito. Even Quito must be reached -by landing first at Guayaquil and then taking the railroad inland and -climb to the City of the Equator." - -"Is there any special reason for visiting Quito?" asked Jack. - -"Why, of course! Don't we all want to visit the city so famous for its -age and antiquities? Remember, Jack, you are a mere outsider on this -trip, and not one of the seekers after wisdom and adventure. Your day -for dancing and playing the gallant to the young ladies ended when we -bade goodbye to Palm Beach. Down in the towns of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru -and Chile, it will be my turn to lead in the Grand March," declared Mr. -Dalken. - -"Don't pay any attention to him, Dalky," advised Polly, sending Jack a -contemptuous glance for his interruption. "He wants to be heard from in -planning this campaign, but he really does not know a thing about South -America that he hasn't heard from us!" - -At this remark from Polly, Jack folded his arms as if to signify he was -through forever with girls, and sat tilted back in his deck chair, but -paying no attention to anything said or done. His associates laughed -goodnaturedly at his expression, then turned their attention to Mr. -Dalken once more. - -"As I was saying a long time back, we will have to travel to Quito by -means of a shaky little airline of a railroad--I call it airline because -it evidently runs on the rim of the clouds, from all I can gather of its -construction. But it will prove to be a novel experience for us all, -especially so to me, as I prefer to keep on solid earth where railroads -are concerned." - -"As your investments prove!" retorted Jack. "I've never known you to -take a flier, nor heard of you traveling in the clouds when speculating -in transportation stocks." - -The laugh was now at Mr. Dalken's expense, as his friends well knew what -large railroad interests he held in North America, but no one was aware -of the fact that one of his secret reasons for coming to South America -was to examine the safety of certain railroad interests offered him -through a broker who acted for the Valparaiso and North Coast Company--a -new enterprise about to be started without delay, in order to link the -various shipping ports along the shore to the city where the -trans-Andean railroad had its terminus. - -"If Jack would only subside for a short time we might be able to hear -the rest of that itinerary," sighed Mr. Fabian. "Thus far I have only a -faint idea of the outline of the first leg of the voyage." - -"Are there two legs?" exclaimed Jack, instantly. "Oh! where are they? I -have never seen such a leg, and it will add to my fund of education." - -Polly and Eleanor laughed at the play of words, but Nancy felt too -mature to laugh at such a childish joke. She said rather jeeringly: -"Poor Jack! 'A fool always laughs at his own wit.' Are you not aware -that 'leg' is a nautical term?" - -Jack's chair-legs came down hard upon the floor, and he sat bolt upright -as he showed a livelier interest in this sparring match. "Hoh! I may not -be versed in nautical names, but at least I am not guilty of having read -the type from every one of Dalky's tomes on South America. I know of -certain young ladies who pride themselves on their geography, especially -when touring South of the Equator, who lugged those same tomes from the -shelves in Dalky's library and now shamelessly preen their feathers of -knowledge." - -"Children, if you can't keep quiet and let Mr. Dalken tell us of the -proposed trip, you'll have to go to bed!" declared Mrs. Courtney, -frowning at Jack and the girls. - -"Or we can take our plans and go out on deck where we need not be -annoyed by infants' prattle," added Mr. Fabian. - -"No, NO! Please don't do that," cried Polly, anxiously. "We'll make Jack -keep quiet, if we have to gag him!" - -"Now see that you keep your word, Poll," advised Mrs. Courtney, shaking -a finger at the irrepressible Jack. - -"Then I'll continue," added Mr. Dalken. "The first port of any size -shown on my map is Buenventura, in Colombia. Since stopping at Colon, -I've heard so much about Colombia and its mediaeval customs and peoples -of the interior, that I half wish we had arranged to land at -Barranquilla, which is on the coast of the Caribbean Sea; thence we -could have taken passage on one of the wood-burning river boats that -poke along the length of the Magdalena River as far as Bogota. From that -place we would have crossed the Andes _via_ mule-train and arrived at -Buenventura to take the yacht from there on down the coast. However, we -may be able to come back by that route--that is, providing the females -and Jack are sufficiently hardened to mountain-life by the time we have -finished the Amazon River." - -Everyone laughed at Jack's disgusted expression at being classed with -the "females" of the party, and Mr. Dalken hastily continued his -harangue lest his ward begin to interrupt again. - -"I have been advised to keep away from hotels in the different small -towns at which we might stop to see the sights. They are miserable and -charge exorbitant rates to tourists. Also, those ports near the Equator -are insufferably hot and with no modern accommodation, such as electric -fans, fly-screens, or other conveniences. Luckily we have our hotel with -us, and we can always secure rooms on board the yacht, no matter what -undesirable conditions there may be for others not so fortunate. - -"In order to have a glimpse of life in the small towns of Colombia, I -thought we might stop at Buenventura, and after doing the place, we can -continue on to Guayaquil. That is the town where we have to take the -sky-line up to Quito, commonly known as the City of the Equator. From -Guayaquil, after we return there, we will cruise on to Paita----" - -"Oh, Dalky!" interrupted Polly at this moment. "Aren't we going to stop -at any other quaint towns along the coast? The lady-chaperone at the -Tivoli said that half the pleasure in touring down the west coast was to -be found in seeing the unusual ports which are seldom visited by the -fast steamers. With a yacht, she said, we were free to stop as we -pleased, hence she told us to be sure and do so." - -"Yes," added Eleanor. "And she told us that many of the finest ruins of -the Incas, as well as ancient Spanish churches, were to be seen on the -mountains back of tiny towns on the coast that escape the attention of -the ordinary tourist." - -"Well, she may be right, but as South America is very large, and we had -expected to visit as many of its states as possible in the time limited, -it would not be advisable to do as every stranger suggests. That is -exactly why I planned this route which would give us ample scope to turn -aside in case of our finding any place or thing we wished to visit. Of -course, the main idea in coming to South America, instead of taking that -South Sea Island cruise as Mrs. Courtney proposed, was to give the -interior decorators the privilege of visiting the Exposition at Rio de -Janeiro. Otherwise----" - -"Oh, all right!" interrupted Mr. Fabian. "We know all about it, Dalky! -Don't lose time going over the same field again." - -"Oh, I'm not at all keen about taking you over the field at all," -retorted Mr. Dalken, quickly. "In fact, I believe I'll let each one of -you follow your own route and see where it lands you. As for me, I shall -use my private itinerary and sail away to seas unknown--and uncharted, -too, if I see a chance of finding any reward for such a voyage." - -"I really do believe Dalky is peeved!" exclaimed Polly, causing every -one to laugh heartily at such an absurd idea. - -"No, that is not the reason for his thrusting the paper away in his -pocket," explained Mr. Ashby, teasingly. "But the truth of the matter -is: Dalky came to that part of the itinerary where all those twisted -vowels and consonants occur in the names of the towns in Ecuador, Peru, -and Chile, and he dared not risk our jeering." - -"For the first time in history, you are correct, my wise mind-reader!" -retorted Mr. Dalken, midst the shouts of laughter from all sides. - -"I don't suppose any one present would dare wager with me, as betting is -against the law at home. But we are in South America and every one here -wagers money on horses, lotteries, and on every possible excuse to -gamble; therefore, I would like to wager that Dalky fails to follow more -than a third of that itinerary of his." - -"No one would take you up on that bet, Fabian, because it is a sure -thing!" exclaimed Mr. Ashby. - -Mr. Dalken got up from his chair and stood gazing at his two old friends -as he said: "I never dreamed that you both would take sides against me! -But of such ungrateful stuff is the human heart!" Heaving a dreadful -sigh he turned away and walked over to the window of the saloon which -gave him a view of the Harbor, "Hoh!" called he, invitingly. "See whom -we have out there with us!" - -Instantly every one sprang up and hurried to the windows. Through the -darkness of the fast-falling night, they could just see the large -outline of the Peruvian steamer from Panama to Valparaiso. - -"I wish we could get close enough to enable us to take a picture of it," -said Polly, wistfully. - -"You could never do it! It's too dark," said Nancy. - -"If Dalky had the Captain turn the searchlight on full force we might -get a good time exposure of it," suggested Eleanor. - -"At least you might try it," agreed Mr. Dalken. "I'll tell the Captain -to use the light when he thinks it the proper moment. Then you girls can -experiment with your cameras." - -The confusion of the crowded masses on the decks of the Peruvian, -combined with the soft-coal and wood-burning engine which created a -ceaseless bang and clang of its steel parts, was most deafening to human -ear-drums; also the darkness which screened the yacht prevented those on -the Peruvian from noticing the smaller craft which rode serenely at -anchor not far away. - -Suddenly the Captain on the White Crest saluted with the siren as the -big steamer started, and the hoarse blast from the Peruvian as it left -its dock instantly brought all passengers to that side of the steamer -whence the yacht was heard and seen. Many of the passengers of the -steamer had retired, but that made no difference when such a sight as a -graceful, private, oceangoing yacht was to be seen so close by. -Therefore it was not many minutes before a triple line of heads could be -seen along the rail of the rolling Peruvian. - -At an unexpected moment the Captain of the White Crest gave the signal -for the powerful searchlight to be thrown on the big southern steamer. -And at that signal Polly and Eleanor focussed their cameras, and began -the time exposure of the pictures. - -The searchlight made good on its name that night, for with its blinding -glare it not only surprised the rows of heads craned forward in order to -see the dancing yacht, but it also brought out those forms so scantily -dressed, or rather undressed, in their nightrobes or pajamas. A dismayed -cry rose from those thus caught unawares, and a picture quite different -from the one expected was the result. - -That night, just before retiring, the girls took one more look at the -Peruvian, but it had forged ahead out of the Bay, and away on its voyage -down the coast. - -Mr. Dalken had planned to leave Panama the next day, and the Captain had -been given orders to that effect; but there were several items of -shopping which the ladies wished to do before leaving for the South -American trip, hence it was past noon before they returned to the yacht. - -After leaving the yacht to do their shopping the ladies found their way -to the principal store of Panama. As they stood outside and gazed at the -window display, a voice sounded at Polly's ear. - -"Well! I thought you all were down off Cape Horn, by this time." - -The seven heads turned on the necks of the seven ladies to see who could -be addressing them in that familiar tone. There stood Ray who had bid -them goodbye the night before. - -"I suppose you are wondering what I am doing here, instead of being -interviewed by the man who has engaged me for work down here," remarked -Ray. "I can soon tell you: he will not be in his office until four -o'clock, so that gives me another day off." - -"Well, we certainly are glad to see you once more," remarked Mrs. -Courtney. - -"Yes; now the four girls will attach themselves to you and permit us to -do the shopping for them," laughed Mrs. Ashby. - -"We can thank the custom of Panama business men for this pleasure," -declared Polly. - -"We won't lose time trying to find out who should be thanked for this, -but we will get busy and make the most of it," said Ray. Then, as an -after-thought, he said: "By the way, where is Jack?" - -"He was afraid to come, because he knew he would have to carry all the -bundles," laughed Eleanor. - -"Besides," added Polly, "he had to remain with Dalky to attend to some -business letters which must be mailed before we start out on the -Pacific." - -"I wish to goodness Bill had not gone back to Colon yesterday. We might -have had one last jamboree," remarked Ray. - -"Not afraid of so many pretty girls, are you?" giggled Eleanor. - -"Say! I can stand as many more of this kind of girl," declared Ray, -positively. "Can't get too many of your kind." - -"After that compliment," said Mrs. Fabian, "we are going to advise the -girls to take care of you this time, instead of you taking care of them. -Now, girls, if we go inside the store to do the shopping, will you -promise to be merciful to this one lone young man?" - -"We will promise to take him to luncheon and let him eat everything in -sight," agreed Nancy with a serious face. - -"And we also promise to let him pay the check," added Eleanor. - -Ray now invited the older ladies to join the party, but they said that -they had no time for pleasure that day. - -And Mrs. Courtney added: "Did you think we three chaperones could be so -heartless as to be present when you take your last sad farewell of these -four sweethearts?" - -The young people laughed at the remark, and then Mrs. Ashby warned them -to be sure and be back on the yacht by two o'clock. - -"Good gracious! two o'clock, mother? You know how slow the service is in -Panama and we won't have more than the silver and a napkin served us by -that time," exclaimed Ruth. - -"Better make it three, at any rate," begged Ray. - -"Very well; we will return to the White Crest when we finish our -shopping and explain why you are absent from lunch on the yacht," -promised Mrs. Fabian. - -"At the same time, tell Dalky that as long as he is saving the cost of -four big lunches, he might give us an extra hour's time on shore," said -Eleanor. - -"We'll do the best we can for you," said Mrs. Courtney; "now run along -and enjoy yourselves." - -Ray had been escorted by Bill the previous evening to a quaint old -Spanish coffee-house in Panama, and here he conducted the four girls in -order to give them a treat--not only a treat of Spanish cooking but also -a treat of old-time life in that old-time city. The service was of the -simplest, but the cooking was of the finest. - -As the five young persons had plenty of time in which to enjoy -themselves they managed to pass an hour and a half at the table. Then -Nancy, glancing at her wrist-watch, remarked: "It is now two o'clock. -Don't you think we ought to be going back to the yacht?" Thus reminded, -Ray called for the bill and the girls prepared to leave. - -A few blocks from the old coffee-house they saw Jack talking anxiously -to a Panama policeman. He had a slip of paper in his hand and was -checking off certain items which were written on this paper. - -"Why, look at Jack!" called Eleanor. - -"He looks as if something had happened," said Nancy. - -They hurried up to his side, and Ray was about to ask him why he seemed -so disturbed, when Jack turned and caught sight of them. - -"Well! you're a nice lot of friends for a fellow to have," complained -he, impatiently. - -"It's your own fault, we invited you to come shopping with us," declared -Eleanor. - -"Shopping, yes! but you never said a word about a good time with Ray," -grumbled Jack. "I bet you planned the whole thing yesterday." - -"People who deceive others are always suspicious of everything but -themselves," quoth Nancy. - -"Leaving all of that in the past, let's make the most of the present," -advised Ray. "By the way, Jack, what's your list of restaurants for?" - -The officer, seeing that the young stranger had found the friends he had -been seeking, now walked away. Jack held up the paper which he had been -checking and showed the girls the name and address of every eating-place -in Panama, but not the old coffee-house where they had been lunching. - -"See that list?" demanded Jack. "Well, I raced around to every blame one -of them the moment I heard you girls had met Ray." - -"How under the sun did you know we were with Ray?" asked Polly, greatly -astonished. - -"I'll tell you: you girls and Ray had not turned the corner of the -street before I came dashing around the other corner to get to the store -where you said you were all going to shop. Just inside the door I saw -Mrs. Courtney, and I was thanking my lucky stars that I had not missed -you--and this is the result." - -"Why did you want us?" asked Eleanor. - -"Because, Captain Blake came on deck and told Dalky something went wrong -down in the engine-room and it might be several hours before we could -start. At that, I made up my mind to have one more lark on shore, and I -hurried away to find you all." - -"Now that you have found us, let us have the lark," laughed Ray. - -"But now it is time to go back to the yacht!" growled Jack. "I have been -wasting the two hours hunting for you--I haven't had a thing to eat. -Let's go somewhere and keep ourselves from fainting." - -"We're far from fainting," laughed Eleanor; "we have been feasting." - -"You don't mean it!" was Jack's annoyed reply. - -"And what's more," added Polly, "we are supposed to be on board the -yacht by three." - -"Yeh, I know! Dalky called after me as I left, saying: 'be sure and show -up by three, Jack!' and I suppose I will have to go back with an empty -inside." Jack's tone was so plaintive that the girls laughed at him. - -Time was passing, however, and Ray had to meet his employer in a short -time, hence he could not accompany his friends back to the yacht. Jack, -being over-eager to get something to eat before going back, it was -finally decided to step into the first restaurant found and order -luncheon for the famished young man. While seated at the table with him, -the girls and Ray could say their final goodbys and be ready to depart -with Jack when he had finished eating. - -Upon their return to the yacht the girls discovered that they had missed -a bit of excitement by their absence. The Captain had discovered smoke -issuing from a small store-room back of the engine room and upon -investigation it was found that crossed electric wires had started a -small fire between the partitions. But this was soon extinguished and -quiet reigned once more. - -However, this necessary electric work delayed the departure of the White -Crest until late in the afternoon, thus it was sun-down when they -finally got started on their voyage. And here we must leave them to -follow their own inclinations (and the ways of the yacht) down the west -coast. But we shall be able to accompany them on their tour by reading -the next volume, called "Polly in South America." - -THE END - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Polly's Southern Cruise, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE *** - -***** This file should be named 42934.txt or 42934.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/9/3/42934/ - -Produced by Roger Frank and Sue Clark - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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