The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRUISE OF strong enough, I spied land. Far ahead I could see something high above the water and a shadowy line of trecs. I woke the professor. “T think I see land ahead,” [ said. “Tam not quite sure yet, but it seems to me I can make out quite a strip of shore.” “Tf your young eyes can’t do it, mine cannot,” he answered. “ But I sincerely trust it is a hospitable land.” “Do you think we’d better wake the others ? ”’ “ How long do you think it will take us to get there?” “ An hour, at this rate.” “T think I would get them up. One always likes to be aroused beforehand.” So I shouted for Ross, and he came stumbling out of the cabin. “What’s up?” he asked. . “Land ahead.” “Good! I’m getting tired of this peachy old platform. What land do you think it.is?” “TI don’t know. But we'll soon see. Get out the others, will you?” The same flutter of excitement fol- lowed that marked the sighting of the ship. But there was this difference; the land could not run away. When we left the yacht for the island we had taken one pair of glasses. Foster got these out and took a sight at the shore. There was a queer look, half disap- pointment, half anger, on his face as he handed me the glass without a word. I took a good look toward the land. It was evidently an island. One end was low, while the other rose considerably, and seemed like a rock, and on top of that rock: sat one of those confounded kaybees. We had sailed in a circle and come back to our starting point. I dared not express my sentiments. I quietly handed the glass to Ross, to let him do the exploding. He could do it so much more effectually than either Fos- ter or myself. CHAPTER XIII. THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP. I BELIEVE that when Ross announced his discovery in the most picturesque 3 A THE HANDICAP. 220 language that was permissible, Mary Donaldson felt the least consternation. I know she showed the greatest calin- ness. But this was easily to be understood. This island was the only home she knew. It was pleasant and comfort- able. It had been, as she had confessed to me, a lonesome life, but it had not been an unhappy one. There had been no longing for something she had en- joyed previously. But Mr. Donaldson was bitterly dis- appointed. He showed it in a marked manner. The professor at first grew pale and then, with a grim smile, turned away. Foster and I said nothing. We were overwhelmed with a feeling that we had displayed unwarrantable stupidity. Well,” said Ross, his buoyant spirits rising to the occasion, “we have en- joyed our experiment mightily. The Handicap, as you know, was untried. We needed first to give it a real trial on the ocean before venturing on a long voyage. Now the thing is to return to our starting point, and reprovision the raft for a long cruise. What do you say, Bayne?” “It seems to be the only thing to do,” I answered. “ We would surely be foolish to start again without renewing our supplies.” “Yes,” said Foster wearily. “ Let’s provision her for a hundred vears and start for the north pole.” “Why, you surprise me,” said Mary, giving me @ warm, sympathetic look. “We are in no trouble. The Handicap has proven herself a fair ocean vessel. We have, of course, made a mistake in our course. But we have lost but two days. Think of two days as compared with fourteen years. It is immaterial. “ We can in a day or two collect and prepare enough for a longer sail and start again. My dear father, do not be despondent over this.. We are still in good health. the raft is sound and safe. and we will eventually reach a land that is inhabited.” Donaldson drew a deep breath. “You speak like a heroine,” he said. “You shame me. I think you are right.” There was really nothing else to do, Colin AOOIK Colin