The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

. THE CRUISE OF THE HANDICAP. It did not take long to roll the log to the water and launch it. It was a most erratic vessel, and we found that if we both sat in it, the thing would certainly capsize. “You sit down,” I proposed, “ and I will straddle it. I can keep it going that way, I guess.” Ross shoved us off, and with a branch for a paddle I guided the log around the point. A startled expression of dismay came from the professor. That side of the rock was as bare and steep as the other. There was no sign of a cave, nook, or anything else in which a bird could hide. “Well,” said the professor as I pad- dled back again, “it is a mystery, and I am glad we came. This will surprise the world. I shall never leave this island till I learn all about those birds.” Ross and Foster were much surprised when we told them of the appearance of the rock. “Rises sheer out of the water? Not a crack? Not a hole in it?” said Ross. “Tt is not. sheer,” said the professor, “ but its slope is not gradual enough for any one to climb it.” “ Let’s go home,” said Ross. “ I don’t believe there ever was a kaybee. We’ve all had a nightmare.” CHAPTER IX. BAYNE’S IDEA OF A RAFT. Or all, I think Mary Donaldson was most interested, aside from the profes- sor, in the quest of the kaybees. She listened intently as we rehearsed our ex- perience to Mr. Donaldson. “I have tried to reach them,” he said, “ but never succeeded beyond, as { told you before, killing one with a large stone. I think it become lame, for it fell from the pinnacle of rock, and I threw the stone in such a way as to strike its head and crush it. I was sorry afterwards, for the creature was worthless as food. Its flesh is strong and tough. It is impossible to chew it.” ‘““T have never even seen one,” said Mary. ‘““ Never seen a kavbee!” exclaimed Ross. “ You’ve missed half your life. 215 Come with us some day and witness the highest achievement of nature com- bined with art. Poor Difficulty! I wish he was here. He was too pretty to go off alone and unprotected in the wilder- ness.” ‘He will find little to injure his beauty on this island save yourselves,” said Mr. Donaldson. “ And we wouldn’t hurt a hair of his beautiful head,’ rejoined Ross. Lhe day was well spent, and we en- joyed the supper Mary had provided. As the days went on it became more apparent that we must become better organized. If we wanted meat, all would go gunning, and more would be killed than was necessary. Of course, in that climate, this was only sheer waste. So after that we took turns in doing the hunting. ~ The splitting of the trees into some- thing like timber and planks was a prodigious job. We worked at it, how- ever, industriously, and at last, after several days, concluded to desist, as we had enough for a house of one story. The time was spent as pleasantly as time could be spent. Nothing could exceed the admirable — tact with which Mary Donaldson gov- erned herself. If her father had been her only teacher, he had been an excel- lent one. She never made free with any of us. Her conversation was confined to such periods as we were in the hut with her and her father, or when we were at meals and she was our gracious hostess. She never strolled at evening with one, but sometimes did go for a walk to the shore when the four were together and the professor accompanied us. Then she said little, seemingly giving the old professor more of her atten- tion than any of ts. She appeared to feel her peculiar po- sition, yet seemed fully to enjoy the so- ciety of men. Had a woman or two been of our party, I have no doubt she would have been less restrained. As it was, I grew to thinking of her continually. Not a moment was she out of my mind. If Ross or Foster felt the same, it was never mentioned between us. We ac- cepted tacitly the understanding that Colin ElOOO Colin