The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

570 THE MUTINY ON THE FLYING CLOUD. moment of their separation ; and when it came to» Ned’s turn he was, as may be supposed, especially eloquent upon the subject’ of the treasure which he had discovered. His description of the contents of the cave, together with the exhibition of the pearls and precious stones already secured,made a profound impression upon his hearers, who fully agreed with him that such vast possibilities of wealth were not to be lightly abandoned. How to secure it was, however, the question—a question which Ned solved the moment he set eyes upon the Petrel. He proposed that she should at once be completed and launched, and that, whilst the rest of the party should effect a leisurely removal of themselves and whatever they wished to take with them on board the Flying Cloud, he, with Manners, should proceed in the cutter to Josh Williams’ island, and, watching their opportunity, run in during the night, secure the treasure, and leave again next morning—as they could easily manage to do—before the pirates could gain an idea of their being at hand. It was a risky thing to attempt, certainly, though not nearly so risky as it at first sight appears; and after a full and exhaustive discussion of the chances for and against success the bold scheme was agreed to. Accordingly, on the following morning all hands went to work with a will ; and they labored to such good purpose that the last finishing touches were put to the little craft on the Friday following, leaving nothing to be » done on the Saturday but the actual launching, and such trimming of the ballast as might be found necessary when she was afloat. The launch was effected successfully, the ceremony of christening being performed by little Lucille; and, it being found when the craft was afloat that only a very trifling alteration was necessary in the distribution of the ballast, the alteration was at once made, after which all hands repaired on board, sail was made, and they went outside to try the cutter’s paces. The result was more than satisfactory—it was a delightful surprise ; for not only in her seagoing powers, but also in the qualities of speed and weatherliness did the Petrel far exceed the most sanguine anticipations of everybody, in- cluding her designer. They worked to windward for about three hours and then returned to the harbor, where the remainder of the day was spent in getting on board the provisions, water, and other necessaries for the projected trip. On the following Monday the Petrel sailed for Island Harbor, with Ned as skipper, and Manners as mate, cook, steward, and crew, all rolled into one —the adventurers receiving all sorts.of cautions and good wishes as they said good by at the cove. The course to be steered was northeast, or nearly dead to windward as the wind stood at that season, and the distance was about three hundred miles so it was calculated that the trip there and back would occupy about a week. But no sooner were they fairly outside the harbor’s mouth than Ned and Manners exchanged the opinion that a smart little weatherly fore and aft rigged craft like the Petrel ought to do the distance in considerably less than the time specified ; and they forthwith took measures to practically demon- CoORnieaoolks