Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

10 THE PRISONER OF LA VINTRESSE. The captain came in, wet with salt-spray, pale and en- grossed. He had been hard at work since the gale sprang up. Bandola went towards him; she was a great favorite with him. “Well, Banda, we're about through,” he said. “Did the storm frighten you? We had a fine taste of a tropical hurri- cane—one of the worst I ever saw. What?” he queried sharply, not hearing what reply the stewardess made. “That young man, sir, who came with the young lady; is he anywhere on board ?” “Young man—on board—why of course he is,” replied the captain. “ You mean Goreham—in his state-room, likely.” “Oh! no, captain, I have looked.” ‘ ; “And what business have you to be looking after young men?” he asked, jocosely. “Why, she, the young lady, sir, feels very bad about it. She wanted me to, and I saw him not in the cabin, at all, last night.” “The dickens!” said the captain, with energy. “Caul- kings,” he continued, turning to the first mate, who had come in to his breakfast, ““is Goreham on board ?” “No, sir;” said the man. “What! not on board? What do you mean, sir?” “The men staid nearly fifteen minutes after their time, against orders, sir,” replied the mate, “and came back without hi, You had turned in, and, you remember, given charge on no account to be disturbed. I felt a little uneasy when they _ came back and nobody with them, but expected every me- ment to see him alongside in some other boat, as he might very easify have done. Afterwards, in the hurry and confusion of getting off, it did not occur to my mind, sir.” “Well, well,” muttered the captain, his brow clouding; “this is an unfortunate thing; a mighty unfortunate thing. Here we have this young lady on our hands, and the poor thing will be in a pretty mess. She'll fret herself to death, and who can wonder? There’s certainly a mystery about it. Did he mean to stay ” he asked abruptly, 2s if questioning himself. “ No—Goreham’s the soul of honor—at least I haye always found him so. Well, well, this is a pretty pickle, to be sure. Bandola, go to the lady and do what you can te comliclbooks.com