The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

THE MUTINY ON THE FLYING CLOUD. 367 ‘‘ Splendid !’’ exclaimed the doctor with pardonable exultation, as he hastened with a parting shot the disappearance of the last figure. ‘‘ We shall neither see nor hear anything more of those fellows tonight. And now, let us once more see if we cannot hit upon some scheme for the deliverance of those two, our valued friend Grant and his little son.”’’ . CHAPTER XXXII.—A TERRIBLE DILEMMA. Dr. HENDERSON was mistaken in supposing that he had seen the last of the Malays for that night ; for about two hours later, whilst the three refugees were still anxiously discussing the one question which, above all others, absorbed their thoughts, and were seemingly just as far as ever from any prac- ticable solution of it, a gleam of ruddy light suddenly appeared in the path- way leading from the creek, and a minute later two Malays stepped boldly into the open, one of them holding aloft a lighted torch in one hand and a palm branch in the other, whilSt the second man displayed what looked like a sheet of paper. ‘“ A flag of truce !’’ exclaimed Henderson, as he critically examined the two men through the loophole. ‘‘Let them approach; we will hear what they have to say—that is, if they can make themselves intelligible.’’ The Malays advanced boldly enough across the open toward the fort, evi- dently quite satisfied that the palm branch afforded them full and absolute protection, and at length came to a halt beneath the walls. ‘‘ Well, what do you want ?’’ demanded the doctor of them in English, as he leaned over the parapet. The one who bore the paper seemed quite to comprehend the purport of the question, for he said something unintelligible in reply, made a motion of writing upon the paper, and then held it aloft toward Henderson. ‘Um! a letter,’’ muttered the doctor; ‘‘ possibly from Grant. Have you any string, either of you?’’ turning to his companions. Nicholls happened to have a small ball of spun yarn in his pocket, and this being produced, was unwound and the end lowered down to the letter bearer, who gravely attached the letter, or whatever it was, to it, made an oriental obeisance, and promptly retired, followed by his companion. “Now, Nicholls,’’ said Henderson, as he hauled up and secured the document, ‘‘ you mount guard here, keep a sharp lookout, and give the alarm the moment you note anything suspicious. Mr. Manners and I are going below to see what news this letter contains.”’ That the letter was not from Grant was evident the moment it was opened, for it consisted of nothing more than a series of roughly but vigor- ously executed drawings. The first sketch, or that which occupied the top of the sheet, consisted of a straight horizontal stroke with markings underneath it, which were evidently intended to represent waves ; and on the center of the horizontal line stood a semicircle with straight lines radiating from it, with a bold single upright stroke to the left of it. Though roughly executed, there was no doubt this was intended to re- GOMicbooksneo 5}