The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRUISE OF THE HANDICAP. his avowed opinion there was enough information disseminated in the world now. I pleaded with him not to bestow the bird upon the museum, but to per- mit me to have it for examination. The owner knew of me, and at his suggestion the bird was given to me. “Now, gentlemen, the situation I was in was this: If I gave the bird to the British Museum, the fellowship would go either to the master of that vessel or to nobody. I had no money to fit out a ship for investigation, and to ask a capi- talist to assist me would be simply ma- king him a ‘ fellow’ instead of myself. “You see I was in a quandary. So eagerly did I desire the fellowship that I resolved to use every pound I had in the world and prosecute this search my- self. “TI came here, expecting to find ships sailing to islands in that vicinity. I had obtained the latitude and longitude of the spot where the bird came aboard. “Now, to my surprise, I find upon arrival here that there are no ports in that region, and no ships pass that way. You see—I have not the exact figures with me—but it 1s too far north for ships passing’ round the Horn to Aus- tralia, and too far to the south and west for Australian ships coming by way of the Suez Canal. Likewise, it is not far enough west for the coasting steamers to African ports. “TIT have racked my poor old brain, trying to solve the problem. To return, almost penniless, and announce.my fail- ure, would send me with a broken heart to my grave. “I saw your yacht lying idly in the harbor, and made inquiries. I learned that you were a party of young Amer- icans enjoying a cruise around the ~ world “It occurred to me that young men with ample wealth, time enough to spend in travel, and intelligent, as I knew you must all be, would be willing to sacrifice some weeks to the pursuit of knowledge, thus adding to their own intelligent pleasure and making me the happiest man on earth.” “In other words,” said Ross, looking askance at the bird, “ you want us to go hunt up other hideous things like that.” 195 “Tt is not hideous after you become familiar with the sight of it. Permit me to tell you how far I have gone in my study of its nature. “IT have assumed that this is a freak among its kind. The vessel was near no land when it fell to the deck. Now, I reasoned that probably the race to which it belongs flies none at all, or very little. This one, having stronger wings, ventured too far. ‘You see it is now in a condition of change. The race is either becoming a& swimming race or it is leaving the web-footed tribe and becoming a land bird. This is either a forerunner of what is to come or a relic of what was. “It eats fish, animal food, and also vegetables and nuts; in fact, every known food. This also indicates a con- dition of transition. It requires, for the proper digestion of its food, a peck of pebbles every day.” “ Peter Piper picked a peck of pick- led pebbles,” interjected Ross. “ How on earth are we going to carry rocks enough to keep that thing alive? ” “We could ballast the yacht with pebbles,” suggested Foster. “Your idea,” I said, “is for.us to take you and the bird, and start on what might be called a blind search for a place regarding the very existence of which the entire world is ignorant.” “Tt may be that the island is known, but not explored. Or it may be that there are only a few of these birds left, and that savages are keeping them to themselves. I have had a thousand theories.” “ What do you call it?” I asked. “IT have named it the Kaybee, after my initials,” said the professor. “Looks more as if it should be called a Maybee,” suggested Ross. “ Now, gentlemen, have your fun. I enjoy the society of young men and good, healthy humor. Good humor, in a long voyage at sea, is indispensable. Now, I am eager in this matter. It mav be said to be a question of ies death. Do you accept? ” “There are things to be settled be- fore we can give a definite answer,’ said Foster. “One thing would be to ascertain if the crew would go on such a journey.” GOnMIG OOo SS) Colin