The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. 65 ‘You needn’t blow me up for it,’’ retorted Phin, as he put the helm up. ‘All right: I won’t say another word,’’ answered Andy, fixing his gaze on the point of the island which concealed from him the person who had given » the scream. The eyes of the one at the tiller were riveted upon the same point, and he was more concerned to ascertain the occasion of the scream than he was to sail the boat properly. As the result of his distracted attention, the mainsail — shook, and then ‘rushed over to the port side. Andy did not say a word, but left the skipper to manage things in his own way. The sloop had reached a point where she was more exposed to the full force of the wind than she had been in the strait, and it was necessary that the skipper should be wide awake. But Phin Barkpool was one of the ‘‘ lords of creation,’’ and even the winds and the waters ought to obey him, according to his idea. Andy let him have his own way, and neither said nor did any- thing. ‘“Why don’t you tell me what to do, Andy ?’’ demanded Phin, disgusted at the failure of his own efforts to get the boat into working order again. ‘The only thing to do is to give attention to the boat,’’ replied Andy, as he took an oar and brought the bow around so that the sails filled on the former tack. ‘“Here, Andy; you take the tiller,’’ added Phin, as he rose from his seat. ‘‘ Just as you say, Phin,’’ said the other, as he took his place at the lielm, and soon had the boat leaping over the little waves. ‘I want to know what that scream means, and I was looking out for the woman that gave it,’’ continued Phin, who thought an apology for his failure was necessary. ‘You will soou see.’ And he did ; for Andy gave his whole attention to the working of the sloop, and she dinhest doubled. her speed under his management. After calcu- lating his chances of weathering the point ahead, he tacked. A minute later another sloop came in sight, with a raft in tow. | ‘There she is!’’ shouted Phin, boiling over in the excitement of the moment. ‘‘ There is a girl in her; but what did she scream for? ’’ ‘‘ That is more than I know,’”’ replied Andy, as he devoted himself to an examination of the craft and those on board of her. ‘‘ That is the Diana: and the girl must be Di Singerlay.’’ As the breeze was fresh and fair, the Diana, in spite of the handicap of the raft upon her sailing, had made considerable progress since the fair skipper screamed, and she was now not more than a quarter of a mile from the island. Andy trimmed the sail very carefully, and compelled the Milly, which was the sloop he was sailing, to do her best. ‘“Help! Help !’’ came from the Diana, and the appeal was introduced ' by another ringing scream, which was echoed in the distance by the rocks on Bunkel, Island. ‘What in the world is the matter with her? She screeches like a wild owl,’’ said Phin. (E) 9 CoORnnielaoolks |