The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRUISE OF would not have done it then only it was a rising tide. We rated Ross soundly, and he, of course, must exculpate himself. “T am excusable,” he said to Mary Donaldson. “ That rock is not on the chart.” As he had no chart, and the rock stuck four feet out of water, Mary laughed heartily. We found that the Handicap would really mind her helm, though much after the manner of an unruly child minding its mother. It was very slow to obey. The sail filled, and we gradually swept out upon the ocean. “ Now for the kaybees,” fessor. We sailed along the length of the island and in about an hour came to the rocky end. ‘wo birds were perched on the rock. One of them had a rope around its leg. It was Difficulty. Now, while it was an easy matter to get the raft to go, to stop it was quite another matter. Ross suggested sailing it against the rock, but Foster and I agreed that too many experiments of that kind would not do. The professor raised his voice, and called his bird. The big shovel bill looked at us, and the two creatures let out an unearthly screech. “T’ll shoot one,” I said. “‘ It is really the only way, professor. We can’t get up there.” “They'd give you a fight if you did,” said Ross. “ But—will you not kill it?” asked the professor. “Tl try not to. A shot through that great bill would make him flop and wouldn’t hurt him much.” I aimed and fired. There was a tre- mendous rumpus in the air, and the big kaybee came flopping down, full of fight. | “ He isn’t hurt! He’ll knock us over- board! ” yelled Foster. It was fight the big bird wanted, and I made a club of the rifle and smote him on the neck. He fell, and the pro- fessor grabbed him and tied his feet with rope. This was not our old friend Diffi- culty, and the professor wanted to re- said the pro- cover him if possible. The one that was THE HANDICAP. 221 captured was shot through the bill, but that did not prevent his making a most infernal noise. He fought like a demon. He made grabs at everybody, and his screechings could be heard a mile. He clawed to free himself from the rope, but the professor had made him secure. “TY don’t understand,” said the pro- fessor, “how Difficulty got up there. Ile could not fly when he escaped.” “ No, but his wings are growing all the time,” I explained. “I think these are flying birds, but, being far away from any other land, thev do not make long flights. I’d like to get hold of Diffi- culty, too.” “ Difficulty, why art thou so cold?” asked Ross. “ Why do thy tender eyes not gaze on us with love? Shoot hin, Bayne. You are the best shot.” I aimed, but with a squawk the bird leaped out of sight. “ That’s where they live!” cried the professor. “ That rock is hollow. They have a nest in there. Oh, Id like to get him back! And I’d like to see inside there.” Suddenly Ross yelled and pointed at the water. Difficulty had emerged from some hidden spot and was swimming away. Instantly Ross was in the water, and we watched a race the like of which was never seen before. But Ross was a powerful swimmer and overtook the bird. He grasped it by the throat, and Difficulty became angry. It struggled and beat Ross with its wings, and I be- gan to fear he would be drowned. I jumped in to assist him, and between the two of us we managed to get the bird to the raft. The professor was overcome with de- light to find that this was his old pet. and thanked us profusely. “ Wait,” said Ross. “I saw where that fellow came from. I’m going to sec what’s in that rock.” Don’t do it,” I said. “ You may lose your life.” So, persuaded by Foster and myself, Ross returned to the raft. The excitement over-the capture of the big bird having subsided, we got to DOO Colin SS) Colin