In Search of an Unknown Race — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

VAN. 185 Providence. Then, her course would be laid directly for the States. The night of the fifth day out from port was one of those soft, starless ones so disliked by mariners when approaching soundings, on account of the danger of collisions. The Para was some two hundred miles to the east- ward of Cape George, headed well to the northward. A sharp lookout was being kept both on the bridge and from the bows, as the steamer went feeling her way along through the almost impenetrable darkness. Van had retired early, but on this particular night he could not sleep. He lay tossing unrestfully on his nar- row couch, hearing the steamer’s bell strike the succes- sive hours, and listening to the steady throbbing of the propeller as it churned through the comparatively smooth sea. The warmth was intolerable. Rising, Van opened the bull’s eye overthe berth. Then, resolving to go on deck and walk himself sleepy, he began dressing. He had just drawn on his trousers and vest, when, with a shock that threw him off his feet, a heavy mass crashed suddenly against the steamer’s side. Amid shouts from the deck and screams from the cabin, above which was heard the roar of escaping steam, the Para heeled to her bearings. Van was thrown violently against the berth. He re- covered himself, and very naturally sprang for the door, which seemed to be almost above rather than in front of him. At the same moment the water rushed in through the porthole, which he had left open for air. He succeeded in gaining the saloon at the same time EoOmicbdoo “S (E(0) im