The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

THE GOLD DELUGE. 137 The strange captain thoughtfully stroked his beard. He declared then that their luck in whaling had been unusually good that year, and unless the compensation was very liberal he could not think of a proposition which would put an end to his trip. Besides, his crew, to a man, had each his share in the proceeds and they would ask for indemnity. Hrik replied that the price was a matter of indifference to him. He would willingly pay twenty thousand pounds sterling for the ship and give each one of the crew several hundred pounds as indemnity. The captain of the Esperanza looked at the speaker in surprise, not to say dismay. His eyes wandered over the entire cabin with its ceilings heavily decorated in pure gold, and at the priceless hand carvings of the woodwork. ‘“Twenty thousand pounds is a good price,’’ he frankly confessed, ‘‘ and I would not hesitate a moment to sell my ship, but I must have a talk with my people first of all, although I have no doubt but what they will be agree- able. Then, naturally, I wish to know what the mission is of which you spoke—for, I can easily imagine,’’ and he smiled slyly, ‘‘that you are not paying such a price for nothing.’’ As Erik did not immediately reply, Captain Alsloev hastened to say : ‘‘ Our only object is to communicate with Europe, but it must be done with the greatest secrecy. The facts are these: We are now engaged in a cruise for scientific purposes, which for political reasons must remain a secret. It is our intention to proceed still further south, where all conmunication with — the world will cease, and therefore it is of the greatest importance for us to have certain letters and private reports sent to Europe. You will most likely be spoken on your trip home by some man of war or other naval vessel, and asked whether you have seen anything of us; that, of course, you must deny. More than that we cannot say.’’ ‘‘T am perfectly well satisfied with your explanation,’’ the American re- plied. ‘‘I will now return to my ship and in half an hour you shall have the decision.’’ He rose and retired from the cabin with a low bow. Those remaining behind continued the discussion. Would it be wise to intrust the correspondence to a total stranger? Suppose he thoughtlessly spoke of the matter to some enemy ? ‘It would be better to send a reliable man along,’’ Junker remarked, ‘“‘and give him orders to carry the letters to their place of destination.” ‘‘Szemsky would be the right man,’’ Smith suggested. This proposition was generally approved. Szemsky, every one knew, could be trusted, and Junker was therefore at once sent after him. ‘‘T am prepared to execute your orders, and I feel proud of your confi- dence in me,’’ he said, when informed of what was desired of him. Soon all arrangements were satisfactorily made. The crew of the Hsperanza were very happy at earning such a large sum of money with so little labor, and Erik also was much pleased to feel that the matter was under the care of as trustworthy a man as Szemsky. Several hotirs were occupied in making preparations for the trip. Szemsky was plentifully supplied with clothing of various kinds, so that he could use a Commiclooolxs (S@)