The Argosy, January 1907 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

IN THE DEPTHS OF DISASTER. sail by it, for he would probably never venture far out to sea in so small a boat.” “Good. I hadn’t thought of that. Still,” Billy ended unhappily, “I don’t know that it makes any difference about being near the coast, as we have no means of getting there.” And to this I had no answer. After we had eaten, we explored the cay, though this was an absurd expedi- tion, inasmuch as we could see the whole extent of it from any point. There was absolutely nothing discoverable that could assist us in our plight. So, as night drew down, we decided to go to sleep, partly because there was nothing else to do, and partly because we still felt to some extent the fatigue caused by the hardships we had under- gone. Yet, though I was tired, it was some time before I could calm my thoughts sufficiently for sleep. Now that my brain was clear, I realized to the full the horror of it all. [ was filled with a raging bitterness that the assassin of my uncle was to es- cape all punishment. Not only would he go scot-free for his other crimes, but now he had added to his list the outrage on my brother and myself, whom he had exposed to inevitable and_ torturing death. For I could not close my eyes to the grisly fact that death must be our por- tion. As I canvassed the meager possi- bilities of escape, I was forced to ac- knowledge that every probability point- ed to our perishing on this remote cay. Only a miracle could save us. Darkness had fallen when at last I dozed. For a while I slept fitfully, but of a sudden I became broad awake, just why I could not understand at the time, nor do I to this day. Perhaps it was that inner self which perceived a menace of which otherwise I was not aware. Be that is it may, I sat upright and looked about me. Then: I beheld something that filled me with amazement. On every side of the cay was a moving border of white. The sand of the beaches was completely covered with what looked to be a thick litter of bones, and this litter was in motion. As I watched in fascinated astonish- 205 ment I saw the white border widen, slowly but steadily. I sprang to my feet to investigate the phenomenon. Then I laughed aloud at my own stu- pidity. The sound of my merriment awoke Billy. “What's the row?” he asked, sitting up. ‘| was startled for a moment by what I saw, and then I understood, and laughed at myself,’ I explained. “ It’s land-crabs.”’ ‘Heavens! I should say so!” cried. Billy, staring at the creeping mass. ‘Why, there are millions of them.” “Easily,” . I--‘agreed_-“‘ Well, lucky they can’t hurt us. We trouble enough, as it is.” ‘We surely have,” Billy with lugubrious earnestness. Then he lay down again and was promptly asleep. I, too, stretched myself out anew, but [ was slower in falling back again into slumber. Even when, at last, [ succeeded in dropping off, it was not for long. I awoke suddenly, with the conviction that some one or something had touched me. I lay motionless for a moment, my eyes staring fixedly at the moon over- head, curiously afraid to look around me to discover the cause of my awaken- ing. Then I sat up to investigate. But as my eyes took in the scene, I leaped to my feet with a yell. For all about me were the land-crabs, a solid barrier that reached on every side to within a few inches of where I had lain. One of the creatures, advancing or pushed from behind, had touched me and thus roused me. And there were myriads of the ghostly things on every side. The only free places were the spot I had occupied and that where Billy had been. He, too, was now on his feet, gasping amazement, for my shout had awakened him. ‘Good Providence! it’s a nightmare! ”’ Billy stuttered, aghast at what he saw. “It’s all of that, and worse,” I said angrily, “because we are already awake. They are real, too real.” ‘““T can’t believe it,’’ Billy persisted, his eyes roving about in bewilderment. ‘“ Let one of them bite you, and you'll it’s have assented, COMMICLOOOKS (C@)