Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

2 NOT ON BOARD. 9 morning? He said he was never sick at sea, but then we haye had a terrible storm, have we not ” “Very bad,” replied the girl, who, though she was Span- ish by birth, spoke excellent English; “but who do you mean, by the gentleman? You came alone; I saw no gen- tleman.” “Yes, I came over the vessel’s side alone,” said Minerva, “but my cousin was in the boat. He had to go back to the shore after some luggage he had forgotten, but he returned di- rectly. If I had my pencil, I would write a message to him, and the steward could take it. It is strange that I have not heard from him before now.” The stewardess stood regarding the young girl with a glance of perplexity. “ Are you sure he came aboard?” she asked after a momen of silence. Minerva trembled at her look—her heart gave a great bound as she spoke. “Sure, of course; he was to sail this voyage with me; his trunks are on board. Why do you ask such a question?” she cried almost wildly. “ Were you by when the boat came back ?” £- ““No, not exactly ;” said the stewardess; “but I was up in the cabin till long after the ship sailed, and I did see no one; but don’t you be so pale and frightened, miss; I can very soon find out for you—the captain can tell. He might possi- bly have staid out, you see, to watch the ship getting under way; sometimes our passengers do, in particular the first night. Do not be afraid—I will go see directly, What nym- ber is his state-room ?” “ Seventeen ;” said Minerva, faintly, sinking back on her pil- low, for the bare thought of such a trouble sent all the blood to her heart and made her sick with apprehension. Meanwhile, Bandola, the stewardess, made her way to the state-room designated by Minerva. It was locked—plainly the captain or the person who had secured it, was in posses- sion of the key, —She tried it, called through the key-hole, and managed to peak in under the blinds that made the up- pedo of the door. There was nobody there, that was very evident. 7 os comiclooolkks.conn