The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

162 ‘What place is that?” asked Nell. “Dat are Rat Island, missy,” said Mr. Kloom. “My! My! My! I am getting my feet wet!” cried Mr. Van Noonck. “1 do really believe the boat is leaking!” “She am leakin’ fur fair,” said Mr. Kloom. “You don’t mean to say you brought us out in a leaky boat!” exclaimed Mrs. Thorpe angrily. “T ain’t brought out no leaky boat. Dat boat done got leaky out hyah. Now I Jak know what to do.” “ Will it sink?” gasped Nell. “Shoh to. Cyan’t help 1t.” “Make the island! Make the island!” shouted Mr. ‘Thorpe. “T cyan’t make no island. I go fur dat islan’ shoh.” Without explaining that fine distinc- tion between making an island and ar- riving at one, Mr. Kloom sent the Surf hard to shore, and she soon had herself firmly fixed in the sand. Mr. Thorpe splashed into the water, picked Mrs. Thorpe up in his arms, and walked ashore in water three feet deep. sleanor waited to see what Mr. Van Noonck would do. That gentleman be- yan taking off his shoes. “TI don’t wish to get wet,” he said. “TI shall divest myself of my shocs and stockings, roll up my trousers, and then will wade.” ‘Sammy, your back,’ said Miss Thorpe as Mr. Kloom passed, and she was soon riding safely to dry land. Nothing could exceed the grief of Mr. Kloom, the anxiety of Mrs. Thorpe, and the laughter of Mr. Thorpe. Some- how, unexpectedly, it struck him on the comical side. “T don’t see what you are laughing at!” said Mrs. Thorpe severely, as Mr. Van Noonck came laboriously ashore carrying his shoes-and stockings. “T don’t either! I don’t either! But oh, it’s great sport!” They gathered under the palmettos and waited. Mr. Kloom did a prodig- ious amount of wading around the Surf. We shook his head solemnly, but there she was, the tide rising, and the unfortunate boat beyond relief. .\s he came ashore, the self-made hide dealer caught him by the arm. THE ARGOSY. “Look here!” he said. thing to eat on board? ”’ “Not a t’ing, sah!” “Oh! Is that darned writer fellow going to bring some?” “Sah?” gasped Mr. Kloom. “T say, is that darned writer fellow Yarrow, going to bring us grub? ” “ How, I lak to know?” moaned Mr. Kloom. “Look here! I saw you and him talking. I saw you kick that cussed plug. Now, I like a game as well as any one, but this is going too far. How much did you get for this trick?” “T ain’ got nuthin’. I dunno w’at yoh talk. G’wan!” It was a weary afternoon, although the air was fine. If one had wished for an ocean resting place, where balmy and bracing breezes could be felt from all sides, no spot superior to Rat Island could be selected. But these people had not been in search of an ocean resting place. “We must get home to-night!” moaned Mrs. Thorpe. “ I’ve invited the bishop, the judge, Mr. and Mrs. Wind- sor, and all the Deal set for a Christmas dinner to-morrow. What shall I do?” “Qh, theyll get the dinner. It’s ordered. We'll be out of it unless some- thing happens. And I think something will,” said Mr Thorpe. “IT think,” remarked Mr. Van Noonck, “I will retire into the clump of palmettos and pray for ”? “‘There’s a sail!” shouted Nell. Mr. Van Noonck did not retire into the palmettos. He went shrieking to the shore, waving his arms frantically. The others followed, Mrs. Thorpe with great eagerness, but the calmness of Mr. Thorpe was beyond belief. The dilapidated Hypatia sailed along on an even line with the island shore. “ Dick! Dick! Take us off! Our boat is sunk!” shouted Nell. “Hello! That you? That you, Mr. Thorpe? That you, Mrs. Thorpe? That you, Mr. Van Noonck? ” “ Accident—hungry!” yelled Mr. Thorpe. “ Come and help us.” The Hypatia swung round and Mr. Yarrow stood up. “Ladies and gontlenan.” he said. “Tam about to make a speech.” “Got any- GORMIGOOO YN S (COL