The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. 175 ‘““’That’s so,’’ said Phin solemnly. ‘‘I agree with you now that we must do something.’’ ‘“Tam not going to be cowed down and trodden upon by such a vagabond as Tom Sawder. ‘‘I can’t stand it; Iam not used tothat sort of thing,’’ added Dolph, his eyes snapping with wrath. ‘“Tam no more used to it than you are,’’ returned Phin. -‘‘ But what can we do in the face of two revolvers ?”’ ‘‘ We might as well be shot first as last.” ‘“T don’t believe Poddy will take the trouble to get us out of the scrape,’’ said Phin thoughtfully. ‘‘ They can’t stay on Bunkel Island forever, you know.”’ : ‘Their provisions won’t last more than a week, even if they hold out as long as that.”’ ‘Then they must leave. Whether they stay here three days, a week, or a month, the time is sure to come when they must leave. They are not going to'starve on this island, even if they have to run a big risk in getting away from it. What do you think they are going to do with us when that time comes ?’’ ‘“That’s the question,’’ added Dolph, who could easily imagine the situa- tion his companion described. ‘“Do you think they are going to encumber themselves with two fellows who will be of absolutely no use tothem?’’ asked Phin, with energy, almost giving way to weeping in despair over the fate that was apparently in store for them. | ‘Of course they will not take us with them,’’ answered Dolph; but the difficult problem seemed to make him rave with anger rather than cry in hopeless submission. ‘What are they going to do with us when that big time comes?’’ de- manded Phin, actually shaking with emotion. :‘ I give it up !’’ exclaimed Dolph, who was sorry to see his fellow pris- oner choking with feeling, and was inclined to lift him out of his despond- ency if he could. ‘What can they do with us?’’ asked Phin. ‘“They can leave us on the island,’’ replied Dolph, trying to laugh for the benefit of his associate in misery. ** Will they do that ?”’ ‘That is all they can do, unless they adopt Tom Sawder’s cheerfil sug- gestion, and blow our brains out,’’ replied Dolph lightly; though his manner belied his feelings. ‘‘ They will have to leave us here, since we agree that they will not take us with them.” | : ‘But how will they leave us?’’ persisted Phin, who could not see any possible bright side to the question. ‘‘They will launch their boat, and leave us; that’s the whole of it.’’ ‘‘That is not the whole of it. If they would do that I should not com- plain. Wecould build a raft, as Tom said, and get to the main shore. Of course we should tell the whole story as soon as we got back to Montoban, and the wires of the telegraph would trip up the robbers before they got to (S@) COMmcooolxs