The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRUISE OF THE HANDICAP. lt was a one-storied house, built of small trees or branches of larger oncs. From a clay chimney smoke issued, and while it was to the last degree primi- tive, it struck us all as being a pictur- esque and comfortable home. As we drew near the house our guide uttered a peculiar whistle. Then we were treated to a fresh surprise. There came to the door a young woman of such beauty that each of us gasped in astonishment. There was nothing of the raw island- er about her. She was dressed in a flow- ing white gown of soft material, her hair was becomingly arranged, and shoes of some fine leather, but evidently made by her father, clad her feet. ' “My dear,” said the man, “ these are the strangers I told you had come to our island. We need not fear them, for they are of that kind of gentle folk of whom I have so often told you.” “ Gentlemen, you are very welcome,” she said, and she might have been offer- ing us the hospitality of a palatial home. She turned as if to lead the way into the house. “My dear,” said her father, “it is a lovely day. Perhaps the gentlemen would prefer to remain outside.” “Then I will bring scats,” she said. He went in to assist her, and soon four rudely made but not uncomfort- able chairs were brought out. The man himself sat down on the door-step. The girl stood gracefully leaning against the door post. Her face was flushed, and she looked at us all in an eager and wistful way. We were probably, as I thought, with the exception of her father, the only men she had ever seen. There was a charm about her that was irresistible. I looked at Ross, and caught him slyly taking her in. lI glanced at Foster, and he was trying to talk to the old man and examine the girl at the same time. “ Here,” I said to myself, “‘ comes the first sign of danger. These susceptible gillies will be falling in love with that girl if they remain here any length of time. Not that I blame them, but it will interfere with the voyage. The monsoon itself could not bring more 203 trouble than this girl may make. I, at least, will remain heart whole and fancy free.” CHAPTER Y. THE HURRICANE. ‘“ GENTLEMEN,” began the islander, ‘““my name is James Donaldson, and I am an Englishman. My daughter’s name is Mary. By the way, Mary dear, bring some wine. And now may I ask, sirs, your several names? ” “This,” I said, pointing to Foster, “is Richard Foster, this is Robert Ross, this 1s Professor Koonar Balden, and I am Archibald Bayne.”’ “And our Difficulty,” said Ross, “‘ is tied to a tree in camp.” The man looked puzzled. “This young man is a wag,” said the professor. “ These young men have done me a great service. I was poor, and a scientist, and by accident, as I told you, that great bird came into mv possession. I wished to search for its habitat and study its nature and habits. I asked them at Sydney to use their vacht for that purpose, and as a con- sequence we are here. Mr. Ross has named the bird Difficulty.” “He is a large one,’ observed Donaldson. Mary then returned with some drink- ing cups carved out of verv hard wood, and a large gourd full of wine. “You have some luxuries here, Donaldson,” I said. “Oh, yes, now. I believe I was about to tell you our story—the story of our exile for fourteen years. Yes, my dear sirs, fourteen years have we spent in this place, without the sight of a face except our own. “Tt was fourteen vears ago that inv wife, our four vear old Marv, and mv- self were bound from Sydney to Lon- don by way of the Suez route. The ship was a sailing vessel, and was caught in the terrible monsoon. For a time we hoped she would weather it, but her timbers spread and she began to sink. We took to the boats, of course, but in the storm they were useless. “The order was given for the boats to keep as close together as possible. Mr. Mr. awa (GO) AOOIK (GO) awa