The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

246 “] think the professor’s idea is ad- mirable,” said Mr. Donaldson. “‘ While it is possible we might defeat the chief, it is a remote possibility at best. Il think we should escape while we are all uninjured.” | Ross nodded, and in five minutes was outside with an ax selecting a new mast. Foster went to his aid, while I began with Marv to pack up such things as the queen desired to take with her. These were not many, as I advised against any attempt to carry heavy fur- niture. Even the black servants of the pal- ace, frightened by the exhibition of power Makolota had given, had de- serted. Mary and the queen got the meals. We kept a sharp lookout, but no more was seen of Makolota that day. We spent the afternoon getting provis- ions ready for the raft, and filling water jugs. The breeze proved favorable, and it did not take long to remove the broken mast and stcp the new one. We got all on board safely, hauled a big canoe with paddles up on the raft, and then Ross, Foster, and I, up to our waists in water, pushed the Handicap out where she could get the sweep of the wind. Her sail filled, and as the queen stood silently in the stern, looking with moist and regretful eves at the country that had been hers, the raft gathered headway, and once again we were out on the ocean wave. All night we sailed, and morning showed us no.-island in sight. We spoke of the probable emotions of Makolota when he arrived at the palace and found no one there to greet him. We had gone so far that he would not know in what direction to follow, even had he chosen. He could be king now, but without his beautiful white queen. Mary and Alice were constantly to- gether, a warm friendship - having sprung up between them. The kaybees, which the professor had, of course, taken on board, began toward noon to screech loudly. “There is a storm, or foul weather, coming,” said Mr. Donaldson. “I have heard that same sound so frequently, THE ARGOSY. and always followed by bad weather, that I know we shall have something in the shape of a storm.” ‘Let her come,” said Ross. won't be any worse than Makolota.” ~The weather grew thick toward night. We were all rather anxious, and as darkness closed down upon us and the sky grew black, we remained hud- dled together on deck. The breeze was not very much stronger than it had been, but the at- mosphere seemed to indicate a coming hurricane. It was so dark that one per- son standing at the eabin could not see cc It another at either end of the raft. That was why we remained together, for there was a sort of uncanniness about - groping around, talking to people you could not see, The ex-queen seemed to have adopted the same plan as Mary, in keeping near some one person, and I noticed that this was Ross. Suddenly every one of us leaped to our feet. Somewhere out in the black- ness came the sound of a steamer. Then, through the thick moisture of the air, not a hundred feet from us, we saw a searchlight. Ross, Foster, and I set up a shouting, and the kavbees, realizing that there was danger, joined in and drowned our voices. There came other shouts, and the ringing of bells, and the steamer seemed to be slowing down. But she was too near, and struck the - Handicap amidships, crashing through the port bamboos and sending that side of the raft under water. I grabbed Mary round the waist, and Ross did the same with Alice. But the raft did not sink, nor were we thrown into the sea. At reduced speed the steamer shoved us ahead, and we heard the officers on board shouting. “Who's there, and what ship is that?” came a voice that sent a thrill through me. “ Balfe!” IT cried. “ Is that you?” “Yes, Balfe! Are you Bayne and Ross and Foster?” “Yes, and the professor and Mr. Donaldson and two ladies. Get us on board.” In a jiffy a rope ladder was dropped awa (GO) ElOOO (GO) awa