The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

200 “-Twere a pity not to see the pretty creatures taking a moonlight stroll.” “We can soon make a camp,” [ said. “‘T think, captain, you had better lay off about here, where we can signal to you if we want you. We may remain on the island a week.” Ross and Foster were already putting the guns in the launch, and I added three axes. The ropes were thrown on top, and some coffee, milk, sugar, and other eating and cooking necessities added. : At last, with a good wish from the captain, and a cheer from the crew, we started. We dared not go fast, for as we drew nearer the island we could see signs of shoals. But with care we succeeded in landing on a spot where the trees came almost to the water's edge. They were noble trees, with great trunks and spreading branches. Drag- ging the launch above the reach of the tide, we shouldered our rifles and marched into the woods to see what we could see. “The first thing to do is to make a camp,” said Foster. “I feel sure that our stay here is going to be a long one. Even if there were kaybees here, we might be a week hunting for them.” We found a stream of cool, sweet water, and upon its bank we determined to build our camp. “If my advice may be offered,” said the professor, “ I should say build some sort of a shelter. For this is a region where a storm may come up at any mo- ment.” “We can do that to-morrow,” an- swered Ross. “ Let’s store the stuff and take a look around.” We were all eager to see what sort of a place we had landed in, and Ross’ suggestion met our views. After so long a vovage it was a pleasure to tramp through the fragrant woods. We found many beautiful flowers, some of which the professor named for us, and others that he did not know. In some places, in open stretches between the great trees, there were smaller ones bearing fruits. We heard birds singing. and saw many curious little animals that scamp- ered awav from js In terror. But we THE ARGOSY. shot none, because we had enough food for that night, and had no desire to take life unnecessarily. . Difficulty, who had been let down into the launch, we left tied to a tree, and even though far from camp, we could at times hear his discordant yawp. “No danger of getting lost,” said Ross, referring to the harrowing sound. We returned to camp, and, after set- tling our choice of cook by lot, set Foster to work getting supper. After supper we sat in a semicircle, smoking and chatting. Suddenly the professor started, pointed his finger, and leaped to his feet... “There! There! A man! A man!” he cried. I grabbed a gun and pushed into the low growth of bushes toward which he pointed. Foster and Ross came after, and we searched thoroughly all around the camp. But we saw no one. “I am certain,” said the professor. “I saw his face clearly. He was peering ‘through a space he had parted with his hands.” “Might have been a big ape,” said Ross. } “No, it was the face of a man, and, if I am not mistaken, a white man.” ‘““In that case,” said Foster, “some of us must remain awake all night. I had not thought of any such necessity.” “Tt is safer,” said the professor. “There may also be wild beasts.” We then settled the night watch business, the professor and I taking the early half, and Foster and Ross the late. | But it was far from early when our watch began, ‘for we sat up very late, listening intently to the night sounds of the forest, and for any noise that might indicate the approach of an enemy. CHAPTER IV. THE LADY OF THE ISLAND. THE morning broke grand and beau- tiful. Though it was a tropical atmos- phere, the breeze that swept from east to west cooled things and made life comfortable. GOHMGOOo (GO) awa