The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

222 work again and started away from the island. Not one of us amounted to much as a navigator. We could sail a yacht, and in New York Bay could almost tell where we were if we saw the Brooklyn shore, the Statue of Liberty, and Gov- ernor’s Island. But out on the Indian Ocean one direction was as good as any other. So we let the wind have its way and went toward what we supposed was the northwest. | Fortunately for us we had a fine day, and the raft made considerable head- way. Gradually the wind seemed to be changing, and the island was then on our left, but still to the rear.- We arranged for the work at night, and Mary, who appointed herself cook, had a good supper for us. She was.a little timid about going to bed, because she had never been on the water since that day when as an infant she was in the wreck. But we assured her the raft was safe, and if anything _ did happen we would call her in time. But nothing happened. I don’t be- lieve that either Foster, Ross, the pro- fessor or myself ever enjoyed an eve- ning as we did that one. In the early part Mary sat outside with us, and the sky was lighted with the grandest display of electric phe- nomena. Brilliant red and gold flames shot upward and arranged themselves in the form of a dome. Mary was enthusiastic. She had seen something of the kind before, but nothing so brilliant. “That is a happy augury,” said Mr. Donaldson. “ It is a promise to us of good fortune.” After Mary retired, the rest of us sat outside on deck, and as the wind was light there was nothing to do. The sail required no handling, and the tiller could be lashed. So we sat and smoked, and enjoyed the soft air. “T’m in no hurry; this 1s very com- fortable,” said Ross. “ I wonder what land we’ll see first.” “ Coney Island,” suggested Foster. “ Montauk Point,” I put in. “Practically, gentlemen,” said the professor, “I should say you would be likely to land on the African coast. I think we are going in that direction.” THE ARGOSY. “Any cannibals there?” asked Ross. ‘That depends on the part we strike. But never mind. You have your guns, and we are quite a party. Quite, I should say, with the addition of the two older men, Mr. Donaldson and my- self, quite a formidable party. “ Pshaw, I wasn’t afraid! ” said Ross. “If a band of savages should attack us, all we’d need to do would be to let the two kaybees loose. They’d scare the wits out of a Chinese idol.” And so till after midnight we spent the time in light conversation. The Handicap was certainly a huge success. CHAPTER XII. AN UNWELCOME SIGHT. THE morning broke clear and with a freshening breeze. But even in a brisk wind the Handicap rode steadily. I was the first awake, and joined Foster and Ross, who were on duty. “Say, Bayne,’ was Ross’ morning salute, “ where did you get your knowl- edge of ship building? ” “From my forefathers, the vikings,” I answered. - “Gosh! I never thought of that. We are something in that line ourselves.” “ Argonauts,” suggested Foster. “It’s a merry life,” went on Ross. “Ring the bell for the waiter, will you, I want some Extra Dry.” “It ws extra dry for a raft,” I an- swered. “Be satisfied with what the gods provide.” “You were always a block.” “ Hello! ” exclaimed Foster suddenly. “Dash me bloomin’ heyes! I think I see a ship.” Though he spoke im a light way, he was evidently excited. He pointed to the distant horizon, and as Ross and I strained our eyes it did seem as though the topmasts of a ship could be seen. “Can you make out which way she is going, Bavne?” asked Ross anx- iously. “No, but we can tell that shortlv. Steer the raft toward her.” Ross moved his ponderous tiller and the raft slowly turned a few points to- ward the distant vessel. stumbling GOHMGOOo SS (COL