The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

220 The Beacon Ship of Half Moon Bay. mittal way, the reason for which he could not under- stand. The third day his jailer announced that he was suffi- ciently recovered to go on deck, and after an hour in the sea air he was given another berth. This one, however, proved to be less securely fastened than his former one, and during the night he was able to open the door and pass out. Approaching the captain’s cabin he heard voices, and stopping, listened. “We worked it well again—the United States cove has made his inspection and learned nothing.”’ “Six months more of rest,” responded a female voice. “Yes, but what are we to do with this fellow we picked up?” “Are you growing weak? Drownd him!’ in the same cool female voice. Silence followed, and after a time my friend knew that both speakers were asleep. Although the reason for his imprisonment was still as much a mystery as ever, the short conversation he had heard gave him to understand that foul play was to be expected, and he took advantage of his liberty to explore the vessel. After creeping about for half an hour he heard a man’s voice, and approach- ing the place from which the sound came asked who was there. The reply nearly took my friend’s breath away. “I’m the captain of this vessel, and that she-devil’s hus- band!” A conversation in undertones ensued, and the follow- Gomichbooks (E(o)