Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A384 ‘Uncle Donald, and Captain Forbes, I have great pleasure in presenting to you this scarlet burgee, which I have worked with my own hands, to be flown from the main truck of the Valkyrie. I hope that this flag will be associated with what I believe will be a distinguished clipper, perhaps the queen. ‘“T present this flag with the hope that it may fly with good luck above Valkyrie on every sea.” With more emotion than might have been expected from a dour Highlander, Donald MacKay said: 3 “IT will ask you, Captain Forbes, as pros- pective owner, to receive this flag.” Here, at last, was something that im- pinged upon a strong man’s love, for under all his blood and iron, Bully Forbes had a tender place in his heart for the tall ships that had done so much for the development of his country. With the gravity of one who took upon _ himself a sacred trust, Captain Forbes ac- cepted the scarlet burgee from the hand of Mary Williston. “Tam not a speech-maker, Miss Mary, I am merely a rough sailor, but I accept this flag with the wish that Valkyrie may well sustain this gift and trust of a fair lady.” Mary did not tarry, after this formal presentation. With a swift adieu, she de- parted as suddenly as she had come. CHAPTER II. A DREAMER IN YARDS AND SPARS. USK was gathering, shadows were deepening in the model room. A long unbroken silence fell. Captain Forbes still held the scarlet burgee, while for him the room was instinct with the radiant beauty of the girl. But Donald MacKay saw her no more; his eye was on another beauty, the Valkyrie. It was most fitting that MacKay, a veritable eagle, should be the creator of soaring clippers. He was, in one, the dreamer, and the doer. His strong and rugged figure spoke of action, while in his eye was the light of the Highland mystic. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. All about on the walls were the models of ships which he had created. This was the workroom of thespremier sailing ship designer of all time. The soul of an artist never conceived anything finer than his clippers, representing beauty, born not for ease, but for the test of hardest action. The Valkyrie was being built for the order of Captain Forbes, a man who not only knew ships, but loved them for their own sakes. Thus between designer and owner a perfect harmony existed. % “Forbes possessed -an infallible faith in MacKay. ..“You’ve made forty ships, and every one has been successful. J don’t believe that you could. make a failure.” “Ah,” replied MacKay, “in our finest work. we never can be sure. We may frame and fashion the fabric, but in the end the way of a ship in the midst of the sea must always remain a mystery.” _ “ This time, Captain Forbes, you have asked for speed. You may depend upon me to do my best.” “ That’s enough for me. Don’t spare yourself. I’m behind you for every penny of expense. This time you may sacrifice every other consideration to speed. Al- ready the weak sisters are full of fears. They say that she’s a freak: that’s she’s too sharp; that she’s overhatted; that you have been too bold, and chanced too much. But as you and I both know, it’s boldness that wins, both in designing and in sailing. {f she’s extreme in model, I'll take a chance as far as you will. Ill trust you to make her the fastest ship that sails the seas.” A few moments later Captain Forbes de- parted, leaving Donald MacKay alone in the darkness of the model room. Outside the harbor lights twinkled like a garden of stars, but MacKay was gazing beyond - the twinkling lights, beyond the harbor, at the black and lifting ocean, stretching out and out into the night. There, with the eye of a seer, he saw his new creation, no longer as a model on the blueprint—he saw her, full born, with soaring spires of canvas, running down her easting. He heard the whistle and scream of the mighty westerlies in her rigging, he himself enduring all the buffetings, until at EOmMmIicbooksico im