The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 177: 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. 561 The unfortunate wretch hobbled off with remarkable celerity—considering that every bone in his body must have been aching—eager to overtake his comrades, whose ‘‘speed’’ had been materially increased, not only by the heat with which they were pursued, but also by the booming of the guns in the offing. Grant followed more leisurely, for, in common with his three friends, he had suffered somewhat in the mé/ée—though, fortunately, none of them was seriously hurt—and he reached the cove just in time to witness the hasty de- parture of the proa. - He seized this, the first opportunity which had presented itself, to heartily thank his companions for their gallant rescue of himself and his child, inquired anxiously after the safety of the little Lucille, and then said : ‘‘T have been wondering what can be the meaning of that firing in the offing. I cannot help thinking it is intended as a signal of some kind to ws, and, assuming that to be the case, I can only account for it upon the pleasant supposition that Captain Blake, instead of perishing in the hurricane as we feared, must have in some miraculous manner escaped; and that it is he who is now outside, on board of a rescue ship, come to take us ail off the island. I think it would be well if you, Manners, were to take the punt, and, with Nicholls, go out as far as the harbor’s mouth to reconnoiter, tak- ing care not to show yourselves until you are quite certain that the craft is a friendly one.’ The two men named eagerly adopted the suggestion, and a minute later were afloat and pulling rapidly down stream. As soon as they were fairly off, Grant turned to Henderson and said, ‘And now, my dear fellow, I think I will walk as far as the fort to ex- | change a word or two with Ida, and assure them all of our satety, and then I will rejoin you here to await the tidings from outside.”’ Meanwhile Manners and Nicholls, pushing off into the strength of the cur- rent, sped rapidly toward the two headlands which guarded the harbor’s mouth ; arriving at which they landed, hauled the punt up on the beach, and made their way through the bushes to a point from which, themselves unseen, they could get a clear view of the open sea. And then what an exhilarating sight met their delighted eyes ! A large, full rigged ship lay in the offing, about a mile distant, hove to under her three topsails, spanker, and jib. Manners happened to have in his pocket a small telescope which he always carried about with him, and this he quickly brought to bear upon the stranger. Watching him eagerly, Nicholls observed him change color ; a perplexed ex- pression passed over his face, his hand trembled. For two long minutes he remained steadfastly peering through the telescope ; then he suddenly closed it with an excited exclamation. CHAPTER XXXVI.—AT ISLAND HARBOR. TURNING for a while from the marooned passengers of the Flying Cloud, and their exciting experiences on Refuge Island, we must take up the story (1) COMmicloOoks.cO