A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

A QUEER RACE. 53 tow, no port in that part of the world would receive us; what he weuld do with the Lady Jane in such circum- stances as these was a mystery. Bailey’s death naturally caused great alarm, both among the passengers and crew. The captain tried to persuade them that it was merely an isolated case, and that he had adopted such precautions as would prevent the pest from spreading. I don’t think, though, that anybody believed him. I know [I did not. The rats, I felt sure, would infect the whole ship, and it was quite possible that the fate of the Lady Jane’s crew would be ours—and mine—for the more imminent grew the danger the less confident I felt in my supposed immunity. We dined at half-past five on board the Diana. The party generally consisted of the seven passengers, the captain (who presided) and sometimes the first or second officer. The bell rang fifteen minutes before the time, and again at the half hour, when, asa rule, we were all in our places, except Bulnois, who was in the habit of unduly prolonging his afternoon nap, and about every otlier day had to be wakened up by a special messenger. This happened on the day Bailey was buried, and the conversation with the captain which I have just described took place. ‘Where is Mr. Bulnois?” asked Peyton, when we were all seated. °‘‘ Asleep, as usual, I suppose. Steward, seni a boy to rouse him up, and say that dinner is on the table.” | Just as we were beginning with our soup, the boy came back to say that Mr. Bulnois was very ill—had a bad headacke, was very sick, and could not come to din- ner. We all looked at each other. My companions turned pale, and i have no doubt [ did; for the same thought passed through every mind—Bulnois had got yellow fever. It was like the handwriting on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast. - The foe was inside the citadel, and each of us was mentally asking himself whose turn it would be. next. ‘(he captain was the first to break the silence. ‘© A trifling indisposition, I expect,” he said, with an affected nonchalance which matched ill with his anxious face. ‘* Bulnois is subject to headaches, [ think. Iwill go and see him presently, and give him somethin that OmMmiGcganoedo “Si —