The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

234 “T can’t say I want it to rain all the time,” I said, still rubbing the elbow on which I had landed. “I'm going to get that sail on the broken mast.” “T think it is a good idea,” said Mr. Donaldson. “ The wind has done us about all the harm it can. We will make progress with half the sail in this wind.” It was no easy task, with the wind blowing a gale, to rig up the new sail, but we did manage to do it, and the raft began its carecr again. The storm lasted about six hours, after which the sky again became clear, and though the wind lessened consider- ably there was still enough to keep us moving. We were drenched to the skin, but in that warm climate none of us cared for that. Mr. Donaldson soon left us to visit Marv, and I followed soon after. “Mv father has told me of your ac- cident,” she said. “I am so glad it was no worse. You might have been killed.” “T feel a bit sore,” I answered, “ but I’m worth a few dead ones yet. We are going at a good rate of speed and I hope before night to see 7 “Hey!” came Ross’ door. “ What’s up?” I asked. “Land ahead! ” “Go,” said Mary. “ See what it is.” I rushed out to join the others, and saw what appeared to be a line of coast on the horizon. We were headed to- ward it, but at a speed that would not bring us there until after dark. We were all greatly interested and somewhat excited. Ross got out the glass, but could make out nothing. “Professor,” I said, “ about where do you think we are? ” “That,” answered the professor, “ is impossible to tell. But I fancy this is another island not known to mariners beyond merely being a speck on a chart. It seems to be a large place, and is prob- ably inhabited.” “ Cannibals!” said Ross. “I say, Foster, you are the fattest. Let them experiment on you first.” “ After you, my dear Ross,” rejoined Foster, “I am not eager for honors in the cannibal department of the inte- rior.” voice in the THE ARGOSY. Hour after hour we watched the line of coast gradually becoming more dis- tinct. Ross kept the glass. “T say,” he said finally. “ I see men.” We then each took the glass in turn. We were still far from the shore, and though we tried our best, not one of us could make out the figure of a man. Ross insisted he had seen men running on the beach. “You've got something the matter with you,” said Foster. “I can’t see any men.” Darkness fell before we reached the land, and so eager were we to make the best of our time while the wind blew in that direction that we kept right on. Fortunately it was a bright night after the storm, and we remained on deck watching. Toward midnight a fire was seen. This proved conclusively that the island was inhabited. With the glass we could then make out human forms dancing round the fire. I went again to Mary. “We are coming to a country where there are men dancing,’ I said. “ Do you feel able to get up? “T might, but I am very weak,” she said. “1 think, though, if I had some wine I could do it. Are we almost there?” “ An hour’s sail will do it.” “Then I will try.” I took her some wine, and after that she joined us on deck. I placed two stools, and Mr. Donaldson sat with her and she rested against him. It was about one o’elock that we were near enough to hear shouts. It was a babel of voices, and we could not under- stand. But Ross suddenly cried out that we had been seen. “They are putting out a boat,” he said. We gathered in the bow and looked. We could see fresh fires lighted, and a long black boat was shoved into the water. We were about an eighth of a mile from shore. “Hey!” yelled Ross, who had the glass glued to his eyes. “I see a white woman.” “A white woman! ” “See! There she is!” NOw, it was not difficult, with our Colin AOOIK Colin