In Search of an Unknown Race — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

18 VAN. slumbered rather overanhour. Raising himselfon one elbow, he listened drowsily. Nothing w-s heard but the monotonous creak of the main boom and ‘he lapping sound of the water slip- ping past the schoon r: sides. Dropping back on his pillow, Van abandoned himself again to repose. ‘‘And JZ say the easiest course is round the Cape of Good Hope. I’ve had enough Cape Horn weather to last me a lifetime.” Good heavens, what was this? The clear, well-modulated voice, slightly elevated above its usual pitch, which had suddenly aroused Van from sleep, was that of Bates, the good-looking young sailor. What was se doing in the Rattler’s cabin? To whom could he be speaking in tones of such decisive authority ? Parting the berth curtains. Van peered quickly out. Bending over the chart, which lay open on the table, was Bates himself, while close at his side stood Smith, the dwarfed sailor, tracing a Certain course on the same chart with the end of his dirty forefinger. With fearful forebodings of evil, Van glanced to- ward the gun rack about the mainmast. It was empty, and Captain Peterson’s revolver was also missing from its usual place. ‘‘Well, I think I’d orter have some say in the ’range- ment,” growled Smith, ‘‘seein’s I’ve done nigh all the work.” *‘ Indeed!” sneered the other. ‘‘MayI ask in what way?” he inquired with ceremonious politeness con- trasting curiously with the ominous frown which darkened his features. GoOmichbooksse