In Search of an Unknown Race — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

16 VAN. CHAPTER IL. A MURDEROUS PLOT. Durine the whole voyage, Van had freely discussed the important question which was nearest Captain Peter- son’s heart, and had drawn from him all that Bob Mar- tin had told concerning Itambez and the high position to which Van’s uncle had attained. And after long pondering on the subject, he had fully made up his mind to undertake the strange enterprise. On the evening of the calm, Van was sitting on the taffrail, when Captain Peterson came on deck and called to him. Leading the way to the cabin, the captain drew from the head of his berth a small but heavy tin trunk, which he placed on the table and unlocked. Lying on the top of its contents was a money belt of soft chamois skin, which he handed to Van, instructing him how to buckle it about him under his outside clothing. ‘“Qne never knows at sea what a day may bring forth, and it’s always best to be on the safe side,” he said lightly, in answer to Van’s look of surprise. The captain went on to explain that he had sold the diamond sent by Van’s uncle for seven thousand dol- lars. In a compartment of the money belt was the im- portant letter and a letter of credit on £7 Banco Na- GomMmichbooks (E(@) im