The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. 81 When the Diana was within a short distance of the landing, Andy came about, and braced the sails sharp up, heading her as nearly as the wind would permit for Montoban, for it looked as though he had no further business in the vicinity of the island. The course took the sloop within a-short distance of the boat to which the ruffians were clinging. “JT didn’t know you were going to run into that boat, Andy,’’ said Di, when the skipper looked at her for the first time in five minutes. ‘This was the third time she had made the same remark. ‘You must excuse me for not answering you before,’’ replied Andy, with a.smile to show that he had no ill will. ‘‘I was on the lookout for that man on the island, and I wanted to hear as well as see, and I was afraid I might lose some sound that would help me to a better understanding of the situation.”’ ‘Iwas sorry I said anything when I saw that you were busy thinking and listening,’’ added Di. ‘‘ You must excuse me for talking when I ought to have kept still, Andy.’’ ‘It is all right then, for I did not mean to offend you.”’ “You did not offend me—what an idea!’’ exclaimed she. ‘‘I was excited and frightened when the sloop crashed into the boat, and was silly enough to scream. But I got over it ina moment. I did not expect such an ending to the battle.’’ ‘I did not tell you what I was going to do, I confess, because I was afraid you would tell me not to do it,’’ Andy explained. “ If you had told me I should not have screamed ; but it was so unexpected that I couldn’t help it.’’ ‘The scream did no harm,’’ laughed Andy. ‘It did not occur to me that you could do such a thing.” ‘“ Then I ought to explain my conduct, and ask to be forgiven.” “I am glad you punished the wretches as they deserved, and there is nothing to forgive, Andy.” ~ Perhaps I have got myself into a bad scrape by what I have done, but I can’t help it now; and I should do it over again under the same circum- stances,’’ added the skipper, looking more serious than he had before. Never mind the scrape; my father will pay for the boat if there is any trouble about it.’’ ‘It was not so much to punish those villains that I ran into them as it was to save you, first, and myself afterwards, from harm, if not death,’ said Andy, very seriously. ‘From death !’’ exclaimed Di, with a terrified look. ‘Look at the washboard; you see that hole; if your head or mine had been there, it would have been death, wouldn’t it? ’’ continued he, pointing at the bullet hole. ‘‘It could hardly have been otherwise,’’ she answered, with a shudder. You know I asked you to come out of the cuddy after Tom had stopped firing. He had fired off all the charges contained in two revolvers, and I knew that he could not fire again till he reloaded them. I did not mean to give him time to do this.’’ (F) Copmicaoal< |