The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

62 island. Yet I have cruised the Nor- wegian coast and visited the Faroes.”’ “This fellow,” I explained, “ is all we know of remaining alive from the wreck of a ship called the Voluna, that went down in these waters in 1887. He was a baby then. He knows noth- ing of his parentage. He doesn’t know what nationality he may claim. And so far as we know the island belongs to no country.” Morley nodded, and bent his head a inoment, evidently in deep study. “The fellow is remarkably intelli- gent, and his muscular power is un- canny. It is no accident, nor the result of his living here. He has undoubtedly inherited his immense strength. He also has unqualified abili- ties for making trouble. He is either English or American, I should judge.” ‘Ordway and I have agreed upon that. However, we have examined the clothing he wore when rescued by the boatswain of the Voluna and a Mr. Donaldson who lived till this chap was ten years old, and in that time gave him a good education. These clothes are neither American nor English in their design. They seem more #ike the garb of a circus child than anything else.” “He must be protected from him- self, and now, I should say, from Ravary. Heavens, but the inspector is wild!” And so he was wild. I scarcely felt like blaming him for being wild. I, who could live in the water a long time, and swim a long distance, knew what it was to swim among the sharp cakes of ice. And to a man who was not accustomed to swimming the experi- ence must have been anything but pleasant. Then add to this the personal affront, as he would undoubtedly look upon Donaldson’s action, his feelings can be imagined better than I can describe them. Shivering, and surrounded by men also shivering, he came straight for the islander, as soon as his feet were on the land. THE ARGOSY. “ You!” he cried. “ You will throw an inspector of police from Paris into the sea!” | As quickly as his rage had flared up within him, and received outward ex- pression, the islander had subsided and become as cool as ever. He waved his hand. “ You and your police of the place you call Paris are nothing to me,” he said. “Remember, you are not in your Paris now. I know of Paris only what I was taught when I was young. It is a large city and the capital of France. All France amounts to noth- ing here. I learned of America, Ger- many, England. All these are great countries. Some I learned from my teacher, Mr. Donaldson, who was an American, are great in one way. Others are great in other ways. All this is good—in those countries. This is Orsgov, and I rule. You threatened to burn my forest. What would your police of Paris do if I went there and said I would burn your houses? ” “There you are, Ravary,” said Cap- tain Delatouche. “ That is an argu- ment you cannot refute. If you want to conduct your police business on a basis of equal rights heré, well and good. [ll wait. But the French navy is not here to support you in burning forests. Be calm. You must remem- ber you are dealing with a man who knows nothing of other men. He is primeval in his instincts. You must hold your anger in check.” Ravary swallowed hard, but in a moment his face cleared, and he stepped forward with his hand ex- tended. “Man of iron,” he said, “‘ let us be friends. I forgive you for trying to feed your fish with me. I am cold and wet.” “In the cave is a fire,’ answered Crusoe. .“‘ Go inside and take off your clothes. I will give you furs while your things are drying. Come.” He led the way, and Ravary fol- lowed. | | “Ts there any danger of treachery COMmMiclhoo S CO