A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

ee eee A QUEER RACE. I had no difficulty in finding what I wanted in the way of clothes, and in the way of food I was fortunate enough to unearth several tins of preserved meat and preserved vegetables, a tin of biscuits, as well as some cheese and salt beef. ‘here was tea, too, and I told Buttercup (he could hardly crawl, poor fellow, but I thought it would do him more good than going to bed) to light the galley fire and set the kettle on; and half an hour later the queen and I were eating as only people who have fasted twenty-four hours can eat. When we had taken the edge off our appetites we took to discussing our plans. Mab had only a vague idea of the distance from Swamp Island to Fairhaven. There are few roads in the remoter parts of Fair Island, and ne mile-stones. She thought it was about three days’ jour- ney. The best way would be to go by sea. As, however, we had, unfortunately, no boat, that was out of the question. But, once on the mainland, we should fall in with villages and plantations, where we could obtain sheiter and help. Mab, being of opinion that the chan- nel which divided the two islands was. but afew miles away, proposed to set out at once. ‘l’o this I demurred. It was now the hottest time of the day. We were all very tired; we neither knew exactly how far it was to the channel, nor how far we should have to go on the other side before reaching a settlement. : ‘‘ Better stay all night where we are,” I said, ‘‘ and start at sunrise in the morning; the more especially as the channel being no doubt a tidal one, we may have to wait some time before we are able to cross.” “You are quite right. Let it be as you say. We shall be all the better for a good night’s rest. At the garie time, I am very anxious to get back to Fairhaven as soon as possible. They are sure to think I am dead, and in that case there may be bad work.” ‘* Bad work?” ‘“ Yes, bad work—trouble. Amyas Fane is my natural successor, and in the ordinary course of things should be- come protector in my stead. But the Council of Nine have aright of veto, and they may reject him in favor of my second cousin, Oliver Fane.” “‘] know him—he was among the shark-fighters—a Eom G JOO KS (E(@)