The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

396 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, "I guess my dislike is heartily returned,’’ replied Thorne grimly. ‘‘ As for Carter, he’s a contemptible puppy.’’ . ‘Oh, he’ll get over that, I believe. His father gives him too much money, and he doesn’t dig into his books enough, that is all,’’ said Undercliff leniently. ~ Well, he’ll have to ‘dig’ more and keep out of scrapes in future, or he’ll have to satisfy his thirst for knowledge—and his other thirst—at some other seat of learning. He’s been up before the faculty twice in a year and a half, and the third time means dismissal, I’m told.’’ ‘“ Well, he’s a foolish boy, I suppose. I wish you could have an influence over him.’’ | “I!” cried Thorne, in disgust. -‘‘I’d like to influence him ‘with a club.’’ ‘Well, well; let it pass. “You'll have, no trouble with either Carter or his father, while you are away. Ishall miss you sadly, my boy, but I want you to go. I know it’s not necessary for me to tell you to put forth every effort to find my dear old friend—you have a stronger reason than even I for wishing to bring him home.”’ "“'T have,” said Thorne, wringing his hand. “ And if human power can find that island I’ll get to it!”’ CHAPTER IV.—A LIvELy INCIDENT AT THE OUTSET. THORNE spent little time in preparation for the voyage. In three days he was set down with his. baggage at the little station of Rivermouth. The Naida lay at one of the rotting wharves, and was by far the largest craft in the harbor. She was an old fashioned, bluff bowed vessel, about as graceful as a Dutch man o’ war, or a Chinese junk, but with great carrying capacity. Rivermouth boasted a hotel, and after paddling about in the rain to find a native to cart his belongings to the wharf, Thorne sought the hostelry for dinner, having his doubts as to the ability of the Naida’s cook. He intended, once in New York, to lay ina supply of canned provisions for his own use. The hotel was kept by a long legged, sharp voiced Yankee, in a house of colonial architecture. While Thorne waited for the meal to be made ready, the proprietor engaged him in conversation with the laudable intention of ‘pumping ’’ him upon all sorts of personal topics. As he thwarted the fellow’s inquisitiveness, more amused than angered by his pertinacity, Captain Latimer entered. 7 The captain did not see Thorne, who sat back in the corner, and the hotel proprietor at once turned his attention to the newcomer, as offering a more promising field for the exercise of his unnatural curiosity. “When doos th’ Nady sail, Cap’n Latimer ?’’ he asked, by way of lead- ing interrogation. ‘‘T expect to go out on tonight’s tide,’’ replied the captain shortly. ‘“ Why, ye hain’t got a crew, hev ye?”’ ‘‘T’ve enough men to work the brig to New York. Brought her down (E(0) An) Eboo 4 3