The Argosy — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

218 Fenny Morris's Voyage. began to “ make the best” of the places, and arrange their things. In the midst of it Mr. Bumble appeared, an amiable smile on his face. “We are under weigh,” he said, “‘ getting out to sea, and the pilot's going. Would you not like to come on deck and take a last look at the old country ?” : They both hastened out with him. In spite of Jenny’s efforts at self- control, a great swelling lump rose in her throat. Her eyes were hot and full of tears as she looked over the side of the great vessel now in motion, and at the receding land, between which and her the broad blue water began to swell and widen. Mrs. Webb sank down and covered her face with her hands. ‘Oh, Jenny,” she murmured, “ this is indeed the last of home.” “Mr. Bumble,” said Jenny, suddenly, a startling thought occurring to her, “‘there are a great many sails here, but where are the paddle-boxes? —w meee are the boilers ?” “There are none,” replied Mr. Bumble, blandly. ‘‘ No paddle-boxes !—no boilers !” cried Jenny. “ Thisis a steamer.” ‘“‘Oh dear no, my dear young lady. This is not a steamer.” ‘““Not a steamer!” echoed Jenny, starting up in alarm. “ Then what in heaven’s name is it ?” ‘“‘Tt is the fast-sailing clipper ship, Lightning.” “Clipper! what is a clipper? Are we going to California, or are we not? Oh, Mr. Bumble, do not trifle with me.” ‘Trifle with you, my dear Miss Morris! Far be it from me to trifle with you, or any other respected young lady. We are going to Cali- fornia in the fast-sailing clipper, Zzghtning, by way of Cape Horn.” In speaking, afterwards, of the feelings awakened by Mr. Bumble’s announcement, Jenny was wont to say that “she thought she should have gone raving mad. A sailing vessel—and round Cape Horn ! Why, she might be four—five—ay, six months before they reached San Francisco! If ever they did reach it. It all came of “ trusting to Mr. Bumble.” That estimable old gentle- man, being given to the love of economy, had not looked out for the fleetest mode of sailing, but for the cheapest. The Lightning was a small and very inferior vessel in all ways, quite a third-class one ; but her terms for the passage were extremely moderate. It was a frightful blow to Jenny. Mrs. Webb did not seem to care about the mishap. In point of fact she could not be made to understand it. A month or two, more or less, on board was all the same to her. There was no help for it now; no redress. Mr. Bumble protested he had acted for what he thought the true interests of the ladies as well as his own: and poor Jenny Morris could only forgive him. As she had had to make the best of the little cabin, so she now had to make the best of the ship. > The next time she saw Mr. Bumble, something was decidedly the cComicbooks.com